Future of the oldest hunt remains uncertain

The hunt, which dates back to 1668, split up in 2004 after disagreements between members, with one group leaving to form the Bilsdale Farmers hunt.

The two sides have been attempting to get back together after local landowners asked them to consider reuniting. The Bilsdale Hunt held a meeting last week at which there was a proposal to merge with neighbours the Hurworth and when they also considered new proposals from the Bilsdale Farmers.

"The committee didn't feel they could pursue the reunification proposal as it didn't satisfy the requirement of having one kennels and being based in one location, which is what we need from a practical, management position," said Nigel Clack, who has decided to step down as master of the hunt.

"Personally, I feel we should either unify or go forward and merge. We need to sort something out because of a shortage of land. I would prefer to have secured the unification and then move forward to merge with the Hurworth, securing the future of the hunt."

The Bilsdale Hunt's committee is now looking at a mid-way proposal for the coming season. This would involve joining up with the Hurworth but not at this point amalgamating. They would each hunt their own country one day a week and then alternate on a third day between the two.

"The plan is to work co-operatively and see how it goes," said Nigel. "Meanwhile the door would still open regarding unifying with the Bilsdale Farmers."

SOPHIE Staveley won the ridden supreme championship at the NPS Area 4 Spring Show at Richmond Equestrian Centre riding Lady Margaret Benton-Jones's four-year-old mare Daldorn Springtime, produced by Jerome Harforth from Great Ayton.

Sophie took the NPS Nick Snelling show pony/hunter and the Tambrook Championship qualifying for the NPS Summer Championship Show in August.

She also rode Elizabeth Carpenter's coloured pony Chiddock Skylight, taking her Royal International ticket in the BSPA section and also reserve champion on their first outing under saddle.

The Harforth stable had a good day with 15-year-old Amelia Allen riding her grandmother Margaret Williams's six-year-old Connemara grey gelding Walstead Page Boy, clinching the open ridden mountain and moorland championship.

Amelia is having a successful season, qualifying for the Royal International at the Scottish Spring Show and also emerging victorious at the Winter Heritage Open at the BSPS Winter Championship.

Simon Charlesworth showed Pam Sowersby's home-bred yearling Millwood Grange Royal Hussar, taking the show pony breeding championship with reserve going to Chris and Christine Duke from Caldwell with their filly Greenbarrow Geisha Girl.

The reserve supreme ridden went to Poppy Carr, from Darlington, with the Yorkshire-bred Waitwith Tornado, which took the novice lead rein and mini mountain and moorland championship.

Victoria Harker, 6, from Thirsk with Amesbury Vanity Fair, led by her mother Jenny, took the NPS Showing World mini show pony championship.

The previous day at North East Counties Victoria took the tricolour and Royal International ticket and was second in the Premier League at BSPS 3a show.

Julie Devenney won the supreme in- hand championship and the Kilmannan Silver Medal with the five-year-old Welsh A stallion Powys Sprite, with reserve going to Norma and Ian Thompson with their homebred Manorian Mischief.

TWENTY-two riders took part in the first of a series of 10 rides to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the Trans Pennine Trail.

The ride, at Dunsford Bridge, near Penistone, was organised by the BHS and the Trans Pennine Trail to raise money for the British Horse Society's Access Fighting Fund and its work in promoting opportunities for safe, off-road riding.

Improvements to the route included bridle gate latches on gates which had been difficult to open from horseback.

Bostock is helping lead the way for Britain in France

KAREN Bostock, from Huddersfield, and Heather Bennett, from Goole, are among the squad of British Para Show-jumping riders travelling to France this week for an international competition taking place during the Meydan FEI Nations Cup at the weekend.

Karen will ride her own eight-year-old chestnut gelding, Rossini IV and Heather is taking two horses, Uptown, a nine-year-old chestnut gelding and Relite, a 12-year-old bay mare.

The other members of the team are Toby Bevins, from Chippenham in Wiltshire; Alex McNamara, from Louth, Lincolnshire; Susi Rogers-Hartley, from Kings Lynn in Norfolk and Louise Hacker, from Clevedon, Somerset.

They will be taking part in competitions ranging from 70cm up to 1.20m.

TOP event rider Jeanette Brakewell is holding a cross-country clinic at Foxberry Chasers, Richmond next month.

Jeanette and her famous horse Over to You won four European team gold medals, two Olympic team silver medals, World team bronze and a World individual silver medal. They also finished in the Badminton top 10 on five occasions.

The cross-country clinic on June 16 and 17 will cater for all levels of horse and rider.

For more details and to book a place at the clinic, call 07778767575 or go to www.amy-young.co.uk.