There was a good turn-out for the Hound Trailing Association’s annual general meeting at Hundith Hill Hotel near Cockermouth.
Members had travelled from all parts of the Association, as far away as Langholm in the north down to Grange Over Sands in the south.
They were there to congratulate those who had won trophies for the 2023 season and also to discuss HTA business and make any changes to the governing rules for the up-coming season.
Barry Laidler and Caroline Clough from Windermere were presented with the Senior Hound Championship Trophy by Vice Chair of the Association Andy Horn.
Their hound Winterfell won the Championship with 28 wins across the season. The hound’s trainer Tom Bell and his family had travelled from Marton, in Yorkshire to receive the trophy as well.
Andy went on to present all the main trophies with the senior runner up going to Denis Pear and Jackie Gill’s Miterdale Duchess.
The Puppy Championship was won by Rodney Raider, trained in Dearham and it was Nicola McMaster and Sadie Wilson who received the trophy.
The kennel also had the runner up in Silver Dream and it was Julie McMaster who stepped forward to receive the trophy.
The kennel had experienced an amazing season in that they also picked up the runners up award in the Open Restricted competition with Maverick.
Rodney Raider also won the Bert Sowden Cup for most points in the puppy table and the Tot Kelso Trophy for most points won at the Major HTA trails while the Philip Potter Cup went to Silver Dream for most points for the opposite sex to the puppy champion.
David Clifford received the trophies for winning the Senior Maiden competition as well as the Open Maiden competition with his hound Eden Romina.
Ellie Napier accepted the runner-up trophy for the senior maidens with her hound Foxparke Who Gives A Toss followed by Tania Satterthwaite who received the runner up trophy for the Open Maidens with her hound Samcro.
Molly Burrows stepped forward to receive the trophy for the Open Restricted competition on behalf of her grandfather Colin Satterthwaite who’s hound Thorn Pop just pipped Maverick in the last few weeks of the season.
Sophie Steele received the trophy for winning the Puppy Maiden competition which had been a tense affair until the last couple of weeks when her hound Miterdale Dust pulled off a win which took him clear and left three hounds to tie for the runners up position – Castle Callant owned by Marti Borthwick and Co; Spring Remedy owned by Ronnie Ridley and Jenny Horn and Thorn Bear, owned by Martin and Molly Burrow.
The Open Non-Winners competition was won by Foxparke Dealer and it was Ellie Napier who receivedthe trophy from Andy Horn.
She also stayed put and received the trophy for the runner up position for Miss Stanhope who is jointly owned by Glenis and Raymond Farren and Ellie and Grace Napier.
Unfortunately Glenis and Raymond had not been able to attend so Ellie collected it on their behalf.
The Veteran competition was won by Stuart and Jacob Jeynes’ Forlorn Spring and it was young Jacob who receivde the well-deserved trophy, with Denise Bland claiming the runner-up trophy with her hound Huntsman’s Major.
Last but not least John Pattinson collected the Trophy for the puppy who had won the most tickets in the table which was Artist.
Unfortunately connections Bill and Pat Mellon and Robert and Tina Airey were unable to attend the meeting so John collected it on their behalf.
As well as the Championship and major competition trophies being handed out all those hounds which had won at the Major HTA trails throughout the season also received a medal with a total of 27 handed out.
Winners of the Junior Competitions and the Senior Division One and Division Two Trophies were also handed out.
Before proceedings moved on to the more formal business end of the Annual General meeting a special presentation was made to Joanna Satterthwaite who was stepping down from her role as the coordinator for the Junior club.
Joanna had carried out this role for a number of years and was now handing the reins on to Donna Hetherington and Tracy Hill so she was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a voucher from the HTA to say thank you to her for all her hard work over the years.
There was also a second presentation as the Association is allowed to have five Life Members. The lifetime award is to recognize outstanding .contribution and dedication to the sport and this year the Executive had put forward Barry Laidler who had previously been the Chair of the Association and is now the Chair of the South Lakes Area.
The proposal was put to the members and they gave it their full support. Barry was asked to step forward and receive an engraved silver platter to recognize his contribution and his Life Membership.
There was a brief break in proceedings and then the meeting discussed a number of changes to the rules which govern the sport which had been put forward by the members.
Notices of Motion
Proposed by Lee Wall seconded by Anna Lindsey
Current rule 54.7 – states
Every trail meeting must include trails for open hounds and open puppies. The first trail shall not be slipped before the advertised time.
Changing it to
Every trail meeting must include trails for open hounds and open puppies with the excepting of the Langholm Common Riding which shall be held annually on the last Friday in July – A – Senior Hounds and the Copshaw Common Riding which shall be held annually on either the first or second Saturday of July – K – Open Puppies. The first trail must not be slip before the advertised time.
This was voted on and ACCEPTED
Current rule 81.3 – states
The Produce Stakes Trails shall be held on fixed dates annually – the second Saturday in June and the first Saturday in July – the venues to be determined by the five Area committee’s discretion.
Changing to –
The Produce Stake Trails shall be held on fixed dates annually the first or second Saturday in June (Depending on the date of the Roman Wall Show) and the first or second Saturday in July (Depending on the date of the Copshaw Common Riding) – the venues to be allocated to all five areas in turn at the Committee’s discretion.
This was voted on and ACCEPTED
Proposed by Anna Lindsey and seconded by Lee Wall
From Current Rule 84
B. RESTRICTED HOUNDS – (wins count ABCKL – these letters here and subsequently refer to eligibility for further trails – see categories of trail below) (£30) Open to all hounds and puppies not having won more than 4 trails in the preceding and current season, hound or puppy on winning its fourth trail in preceding or current season is no longer eligible. (25 – 55 minutes).
C. OPEN RESTRICTED – (wins count ABCKL) (£25) Open to all hounds and puppies not having won more than 4 trails in the preceding or current season, hound or puppy on winning its fourth trail in current or preceding season is no longer eligible. (15 – 35 minutes).
Change To:
B. RESTRICTED HOUNDS – (wins count ABCKL – these letters here and subsequently refer to eligibility for further trails – see categories of trail below) (£30) Open to all hounds and puppies not having won more than 3 trails in the proceeding season, on winning its third trail in current season no longer eligible. (25 – 55 minutes).
C. OPEN RESTRICTED – (wins count ABCKL) (£25) Open to all hounds and puppies not having won more than 3 trails in the proceeding season, on winning its third trail in current season no longer eligible. (15 – 35 minutes).
The proposed changes were voted on and ACCEPTED
Proposed by Derek Hill and seconded by Carolyn Hill
From Current rule 84
F. MAIDEN HOUNDS – (wins count ABCDEKLM & N in current season)
(£30) Open to all hounds and puppies not having won a higher-grade trail in the current and preceding season, one win permitted per season. (25 – 55 minutes).
G. OPEN MAIDENS – (wins count ABCDEKLM & H in current season)
(£30) Open to all hounds and puppies not having won a higher-grade trail in the current and preceding season, one win permitted per season. (25 – 55 minutes).
H. OPEN MAIDENS – (wins count ABCDEKLM & G in current season)
(£25) Open to all hounds and puppies not having won a higher-grade trail in the current and preceding season, one win permitted per season. (15 – 35 minutes).
N. MAIDEN PUPPIES – (wins count ABCDEKLM & F in current season)
(£25) Open to all puppies not having won a higher-grade trail, one win permitted per season. (15 – 35 minutes).
Change To
F. MAIDEN HOUNDS – (wins count ABCDEKLM & N in current season)
(£30) Open to all hounds and puppies not having won a higher-grade trail in the current and preceding season, two wins permitted per season. (25 – 55 minutes).
G. OPEN MAIDENS – (wins count ABCDEKLM & H in current season)
(£30) Open to all hounds and puppies not having won a higher-grade trail in the current and preceding season, two wins permitted per season. (25 – 55 minutes).
H. OPEN MAIDENS – (wins count ABCDEKLM & G in current season)
(£25) Open to all hounds and puppies not having won a higher-grade trail in the current and preceding season, two wins permitted per season. (15 – 35 minutes).
N. MAIDEN PUPPIES – (wins count ABCDEKLM & F in current season)
(£25) Open to all puppies not having won a higher-grade trail, two wins permitted per season. (15 – 35 minutes).
The change was voted on and ACCEPTED
Executive Notice of Motion
The rule 70.1 would be changed from:
The formula for the trail mixture is:
i. 3.5 fluid oz (100ml) aniseed oil
ii. 7 pints (4litres) paraffin
iii. 3.5 fluid oz (100ml) engine oil may be added when necessary
Total for Senior trail – 4 Pints (2.25litres)
Total for Puppy Trail – 3 Pints (1.75litres)
It is to be made up as close to the trail date as possible either by approved chemist or by one person appointed by the Area Committee. It is to be carried in unbreakable containers.
Changed to:
The formula for the trail mixture is:
i. 4.2 fluid oz (125ml) aniseed oil
ii. 7 pints (4 litres) paraffin
iii. 3.5 fluid oz (100ml) engine oil may be added when necessary
Total for Senior trail – 4 Pints (2.25 litres)
Total for Puppy Trail – 3 Pints (1.75 litres)
It is to be made up as close to the trail date as possible either by approved chemist or by one person appointed by the Area Committee. It is to be carried in unbreakable containers.
This was voted on and ACCEPTED
New Rule – Rule 52.5 agreed by Executive during 2023 season
It will be compulsory for all members in attendance at trails to pick up their hound’s dog muck and dispose of it appropriately.
Voted on and ACCEPTED
