It has been a sad week for hound trailing with the death of Ann Holmes from Penrith, a well-known figure in the sport.
Ann and her husband Malcolm have ran their hounds for many years and had success with many of them.
Ann died after a short illness at Penrith hospital after working as a community nurse for many years in the Penrith area and one who went above and beyond to support those who she looked after.
HTA secretary Fiona Dixon said: “She was the type of person that would do anything for anyone.
“She was very kind, down to earth and didn’t have a bad word for anyone. She will be sadly missed by many both in the hound trailing fraternity and beyond. Our condolences go to Malcolm and his family at this sad time.”
Last night saw the last of the series at Cobra Castle with smaller than usual slips.
First to race were the senior hounds and champion Winterfell was back out after his slightly disappointing run at Helton where he was expected to excel on the open moorland running but he only managed a fifth ticket.
Connections were hoping for a better show but he would have to beat the in-form Duchess Ava.
As the hounds completed the first part of the trail Winterfell seemed as though he was back on form as he showed with a good lead. However, before going out onto the fell he had dropped back to a poor sixth place.
When the hounds were on their way back and they came into the last field he was bang up with them again and he finished really well to beat Duchess Ava who had obviously been pushing him all the way round.
Winterfell crossed the line with three yards to spare for Barry Laidler and Caroline Clough. James and Ava McClelland had to settle for second place with Duchess Ava.
Finishing well in third place was Miterdale Duchess for Denis Pear and Jackie Gill, with Tom, Sarah and Ryan Bell’s Ron finishing in fourth place.
Lisa and Holly Whitfield’s Audacity, another hound which has recently returned from Ireland, ran well to claim his first ticket this season in fifth with their other hound Black Edition finishing in sixth.
The win for Winterfell takes him to second in the table alongside Duchess Ava and Cautious as they chase early leader Rodney Raider.
The open pups were next to slip with a small field of seven runners with Barry and his team looking for another win with Snowfell after the success on Saturday night at Helton. But all eyes would be on Countess Ava who has the best track record round Cobra Castle.
When the hounds were in view they were all running well, with not much between them all. However as they showed on the finish three had gained an advantage and it was a great race up to the finishing line.
Ten yards or so from the line it looked as though Snowfell was going take his second win but then just seemed to ease again which allowed Brian and Erin Rowlandson’s and Billy Birkett’s Blue Striker to claim his second victory.
Countess Ava ran well and finished in third place for James and Ava McClelland with just a couple of yards between all three hounds.
Lassie and Ben for Tom, Sarah and Ryan finished in fourth and fifth with Barry Laidler and Caroline Clough’s Classmate finishing in sixth place.
The win for Brian, Erin and Billy takes Blue Striker to third in the Puppy Championship table with the little hound coming into his own and running well.
Next to slip were the open non-winners, again with a small field of just seven runners.
The hounds remained close together for the majority of the trail and any one of the seven could have won as they raced up the hill.
In fact the camera had to be checked several times before the judge was able to make a decision regarding which hound had won the race they were so tight together as they crossed the line with some hound slowing down and others finishing fast, making it really difficult to judge.
However it was Foxparke Elliot’s Lad who got the verdict just beating kennel mate Foxparke Toot Toot in to second place for the Napier and Butler kennel.
In a close third position was Stuart and Jacob Jeynes’ Off-Spring, a much improved little hound this season so credit to Jacob and his dad for persevering with him.
Peggy Sue finished in fourth not far behind for Gillian Bulman-Brown and Micky O’ Brien. Foxparke Elliot’s Lass finished in fifth for Robyn, Nicola, Ellie and Grace Napier and Brook Butler with Tania Satterthwaite’s Paddy The Plaster taking the last ticket.
The last race of the night for open restricted was down to two runners but give them their due they set off and completed the course with Foxparke Lady Ava winning from Tommy’s Dream for Lisa and Hollie Whitfield. The win for Foxparke gave the kennel a double win on the night.
Action moves to Thursday night with a four-card meeting this time at West Woodburn just over the border in Northumberland. First race starts at 5.30pm.
All details relating to fixtures and venues as well as Championship and competition points tables can be found at www.houndtrailingassociation.com.
Cobra Castle – April 23
- Hounds – 1. Winterfell; 2. Duchess Ava; 3. Miterdale Duchess; 4. Ron; 5. Audacity; 6. Black Edition. 9 ran, time 27.28.
- Pups – 1. Blue Striker; 2. Snowfell; 3. Countess Ava; 4. Lassie; 5. Ben; 6. Classmate. 7 ran, time 19.41.
- Open Non-Winners – 1. Foxparke Elliot’s Lad; 2. Foxparke Toot Toot; 3. Off-Spring; 4. Peggy Sue; 5. Foxparke Elliot’s Lass; 6. Paddy The Plaster. 7 ran, time 20.19.
- Open Restricted – 1. Foxparke Lady Ava; 2. Tommy’s Dream. 2 ran, time 23.40.
