Hutton CIC* Course Preview
Novice riders should to prepare to enjoy going across the hills in Cumbria..
Following a welcome current settled period of sunshine and showers the Organisers of the forthcoming Cumbrian Hutton in the Forest are reporting excellent conditions at the venue. Joint Organiser, course designer and builder Douglas Weymouth states: “Having decided to run a month later than last year and after the Skelton Show we can happily report the going on the lovely old turf at Hutton is in great shape and ready for the all the very full classes’.
Douglas also gave a flavour of the courses the Novice, Intermediate and CIC* sections riders are likely to tackle: ”For this year, the cross country will run in its now traditional anticlockwise route starting below the horse box park and running quickly out across the bridge and in front of the House where the first question will be the Lane Crossing where the 1 star and Intermediate entrants will meet Harry the Hedgehog before steadying to meet a challenging turning Brush Corner at the bottom of the steep decline along by the river, and this been the undoing of a number of combinations in recent years but an alternative option is always available.
“A strong and fit gallop is now required to tackle the hill after their leap over the sitting duck and on up to a double of fences over on undulating ground at the far side of the Park. From here on the terrain at Hutton really becomes the major influence and the second steep decline to the second Petteril River crossing as always requires absolute control if the brush logs are to be cleared without fault.
“Another good canter uphill to the Cordwood Table and on and past the ancient hidden stone circle to the Off Set Aintree fences at a good flowing pace should offer a chance to set up for the Dew Pond Double Logs into the water. The lower classes at this point on the course will have arrived at the Chicken Coup combinations and then moved to the Dew Pond which usually offers the younger horses a relatively straight forward chance to get their feet wet without incident at the far point of the course. From here all the classes enjoy a Steeplechase fence before once again asking for some balanced strides as they all cross the Old London Road (which has previously seen Kings and Queens riding along) taking in some bold drop questions and onto to the flatter ground around the Copse.
“Another combination question awaits the CIC, Novice and Intermediate riders who tackle the narrow upright brush fences and ditch complex through the trees. The traditional Keyholes come next following quickly by the carved Ram requiring very accurate riding to avoid a run out before a final few strides to the last and completing these 2900m tracks. As always, Hutton in the Forest is a great test of balanced, flowing cross country riding with quite an emphasis on fitness of horse and rider at this mid point in the season. All the fences are built well up to height but with the terrain being quite an influence, I have kept the technical difficulty of the fences in check to avoid the whole experience being too much.”
Lucinda Weymouth added, ‘especially for the lady riders entering, there will be a special prize awarded by Kan Body Protectors to the Best Overall Female Rider in the BE100 Sections to be given to the lowest score, nearest the optimum time and without faults in the jumping phases. Hutton is also the third round in the Cumbrian Challenge Trophy.’
Alongside all the equestrian action happening throughout the weekend there will also be an Artists and Artisan Pavilion, speciality foods, wines and confectionery retailers and a Public Bar. There are children’s activities planned including a 8m climbing wall and treasure hunt. Over 30 exhibitors will be in attendance and also a designated family picnic area adjacent to the Main Arena. As always the organisers welcome dogs if attached to their owners. Further details can be found on the Hutton website.
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