GEORGE CHATTERTON proved a perfect understudy in claiming the 2021 Melton Hunt Club Ride crown after receiving an 11th-hour call-up for the ride at Upper Broughton on the Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire border.

“This means the world to all of us, but my brother should be doing it,” said amateur jockey George, who piloted the evergreen 15-year-old former racehorse Distime to victory for the Belvoir.

“[My brother] Billy’s been mapped out for it for the last three months, but he’s unfortunately injured his ankle, so I got the call to ride this week. I was more nervous last night about this than I probably have been for anything riding-related for a while.”

He added those nerves stemmed in part from the “real pressure” he put on himself of not wanting to let his brother down.

“When I crossed the line, the first person I wanted to see was Billy because this is his thing. So hopefully he’ll be doing it and winning next year,” said George, taking home further prizes for highest-placed under-25, thoroughbred and retrained racehorse.

Distime was bought as a schoolmaster for George’s first season point-to-pointing in 2018/19 and retired in 2020 following a solid career of 44 starts under Rules and between the flags.

“He is an absolute legend,” said George. “He hunts, does a bit of team chasing and this was his big day as well. He’s like a family pet.”

The pair tracked the eminent partnership of Rowan Cope and Arthur for the majority of the race, following them across the more direct lower route on the hilly course, before seizing their chance.

“There’s really no one better at these kinds of things than Rowan – and he made the course – so I thought, ‘Well, I’ve got to just follow him,’” he added. “He gave me a great lead, I joined him at [the open ditch] three out, which we jumped together. Then I couldn’t quite believe how much horse I had under me.”

The Flemensfirth gelding had so much left in the tank that George was able to swing wide and nip through a gap in the penultimate without losing the lead to Rowan, who opted to jump the hedge in favour of the shorter line.

“The best horse won on the day – I just had a brilliant run,” said Rowan, adding that Distime looked as if George had “just got on him” as the winner drew level with him at the open ditch.

“I never mind getting beaten when my horse has given absolutely everything. I was trying to win it, but when I pulled up I was just delighted that Arthur was sound and that we were here.

“His track record is amazing – he’s finished first or second in every major hunt race – and he is so versatile. I can field master off him, I can do these races on him, my wife Lydia can lead the children off him – he’s one in a million.”

Judgement calls prove key

THE nature of the Melton ride – sponsored by Chestnut Horse Feeds and Retraining of Racehorses – challenges competitors to set their own course across a roughly three-mile route. There are five turning markers, which combinations must pass on the correct side, plus likely places to cross each of the hedge lines. But it is down to riders to use their own judgement and to react to what is happening.

The 2021 fixture, held in spectacular Quorn country thanks to landowners Nick Connors and Andrew and Nigel Robinson, was the first running of the race since February 2019, owing to Covid and the British weather. Organisers were rewarded for their patience with springy, quick ground and cool November sunshine.

The early pace was rapid. The start was in a stubble field over the crest of a hill, with the long first hedge quickly giving way to narrower obstacles. A herd of cattle moving in a neighbouring field was the first sign to spectators dotted across the hills that the race had begun, with outlines of horses appearing along the skyline moments later.

The fence by the copse, five from home, was the real deciding point. Here, riders had to choose whether to go for glory on the most direct route, including the yawning open ditch, or pop the still sizeable hedges on the longer option.

The Heythrop’s Char Edgar, third and first lady aboard Station Master, was among the thrusters to go direct. The combination started in the mid-field of participants, picking their way carefully through the pack as the race unfolded.

“All I was just doing was kicking, looking up and holding on to my neck strap and he just tried his little heart out,” said Char, crediting event rider Lucy Jackson for helping prepare both her and the horse.

The “gentle and happy” 10-year-old gelding, formerly trained by Kim Bailey, is thriving in his varied post-racing career, also enjoying hacking, team chasing, showing, unaffiliated eventing and hunting.

Melton Hunt Club Ride – “We had the time of our lives”

AS with the first two finishers, the last three fences proved the deciding factor for third and fourth places. Iola Hopkinson was planning a “nice clear round” over the long route aboard her brother’s former pointer, Bridge End (Jim), for her first hunt race. The 13-year-old gelding, however, had another plan.

“He jumped his way to the front and we just had the time of our lives,” she beamed. “It’s just the most exhilarating thing you will ever do in your life.”

The pair made the call at the copse to take the quick line – “I thought, ‘Mice become men right now, Jim, come on!’” – before avoiding trouble at the open ditch. In the split second Iola took to catch her bearings ahead of the penultimate, Char zipped ahead.

“Because I had walked the longer route, I wasn’t really expecting to come from that angle,” Iola explained. “That’s where the first lady just pipped me – she completely deserved it as she knew exactly what she needed to do and just nipped across. Good for her, I have a lot of respect for that riding!”

Fifth and sixth places went to Bernie Shonk on Kyteler and Hannah Mahon with her point-to-pointer An Scairp respectively. Zack Davidson on Remarkable Man and Nia Kerslake on Semper Invicta replayed their 2021 Silver Spur close finish – with Zack edging ahead on the line this time – for seventh and eighth.

Edward Chamberlain took ninth, riding Jack The Ginger, and Nicole Lockhead Anderson, as at home crossing the country as she is winning in the biggest showing rings and international showjumping arenas, claimed 10th and best novice riding Mr Jack.

In all, 30 of the 37 starters completed the 2021 Melton Hunt Club Ride. Ross Bentley (12th) was first Quorn subscriber and heavyweight; William Grant (13th) won best veteran for the third occasion, with Josh Cooksley first soldier (24th) and Arthur Purbrick (25th) first line cavalryman.

• This report is also available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 25 November

You may also be interested in…

8 hunt rides to get your adrenaline pumping

If you're looking for a real buzz away from the traditional hunting field, how about giving one of these hunt

New league for retrained racehorses in UK’s ‘best-known’ hunt rides

‘It will be fascinating to see how the league unfolds and it would be great to go into the final

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The Melton Hunt Club (MHC) ride has been cancelled owing to coronavirus.

The event was set to take place on 22 November, but the organisers have concluded that it is not viable to run this year.

The fixture was last held in February 2019, when it was won by former jump jockey Maurice Linehan riding the German-bred thoroughbred Bobby on the horse’s first hunt race.

This year’s ride was first planned for 1 March, but was cancelled in January as a result of the “unprecedented weather and ground conditions”. It was rescheduled for 22 November to be held in Quorn country and has now been cancelled again.

“Following lengthy consideration of the Government’s Covid-19 outdoor events guidance and discussions with all parties, including the MHC ride sponsor Chestnut Horse Feeds, all aspects of the event were addressed in detail,” said a MHC spokesman.

“The task of effectively complying with Covid-19 [test] & trace guidelines for all attendees and achieving social distancing were deemed beyond what would be manageable, particularly because of the uniquely large area the MHC ride takes place over.”

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

See what it takes to win the Silver Spur hunt ride…

Watch Ollie Finnegan’s winning round in the Silver Spur hunt ride on former racehorse Rivage D’Or from the rider's perspective

8 hunt rides to get your adrenaline pumping

If you're looking for a real buzz away from the traditional hunting field, how about giving one of these hunt

How daring are you? Six equestrian events for the ultimate adrenaline junkie [VIDEOS]

Take a look at our pick of equestrian activities for adrenaline junkies — from side-saddle racing to riding across Mongolia

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

He added: “Local restrictions are subject to change depending on any new regulations introduced and the situation is constantly being re-assessed.”

“Sadly, the viability of successfully running the event without the benefits of allowing an audience to attend has also been considered, and with all these factors being taken into account, the Melton Hunt Club Ride will now be rescheduled for 2021.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The hunt race season kicked off on Sunday (19 November), with Zoe Gibson winning the 8 Outdoor Melton Hunt Club Ride in Leicestershire and Yvonne Goss taking the Daylesford Hunt Cup in Gloucestershire.

Zoe, who was riding her own Jaffa, a thoroughbred she bought in Ireland as a four-year-old, has now won the Melton race five times.

Second was Ollie Finnegan, riding Rivage D’Or, and third was Jack Quinlan (Easter Meteor). Full report in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 23 November.

The Daylesford Hunt Cup, held on Sir Anthony and Lady Bamford’s Daylesford estate in the Heythrop country, is now in its second year. Three races were run over a course of rails and newly laid hedges, designed by Daylesford “countryman” George Hyatt.

Yvonne Goss won the open race, also riding a horse called Jaffa. The pair were fresh and fit after an autumn team chasing campaign and they held off Pandora Bailey on ex-racehorse Offshore Account. Iona Hoare came third and won the best Heythrop prize. Retraining of Racehorses sponsored prizes for the good number of ex-racehorses that competed.

“The course gave a great ride and the cup is amazing!” said Yvonne. “I must remember to add it to the house insurance!”

Continued below…

Want to look as glamorous as Martha Sitwell on the hunting field? Of course we do

When it comes to elegance and hunting there’s one real benchmark — Lady Martha Sitwell. Which is why her new

When equine royalty hits the hunting field: how many of these stars do you recognise?

For these horses, as one door has closed, another has opened. We take a look at the equine stars that

Four-star eventer Beanie Sturgis’ 11 top life-hacks for fellow equestrians

Gloucestershire-based eventer and field master Beanie Sturgis, shares her tips for saving time and money around the yard

The intermediate class was won by another team chaser, the Hair Raisers’ Larry Brown, ahead of Amber Bradshaw. The best Heythrop trophy went to third-placed Jessica Fleming, who runs Red Barn Stud near Northleach.

Rory Richmond-Watson took the junior cup, which was judged on hunting etiquette by John and Jane LLoyd, over whose land part of the course ran. Not only did he ride really well and competitively to come in fourth behind Isla Hughes, but he also thanked the “field master” for the race, Emily Seal, daughter of Heythrop Saturday field master Nick Seal.

There were 70 entries in total for this new raceday, organised by Heythrop Tuesday field master Tom Gittins. As the hedges mature and the course develops, it will become an exciting addition to the hunt race calendar.

For all the latest hunting news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The 8 Outdoor Melton Hunt Club Ride, which takes place this Sunday (19 November), is an extraordinary test of horse and rider. It demands an extremely high level of fitness from both, as well as bravery, scope and stamina from the horse – and mental agility and planning from the rider.

Between 30 and 40 horses usually line up to race across natural Leicestershire hunting country – this year the Cottesmore Saturday country south of the Oakham-Tilton-on-the-Hill road. They will tackle hedges, hunt jumps and the odd ditch, but what makes the Melton special is that there are very few direction flags on the course, and riders must choose the line across country that best suits their horse.

Between the start and the finish of this year’s course – created by Cottesmore farmer Richard Walker – there are only seven red or white flags. This means that there are a variety of ways to tackle the three-mile track and competitors must walk the route very carefully to suss out all the options.

The course has Withcote Hall as its pivot point and there are at least two possible routes round the house. Those on fast thoroughbreds may prefer one route, which is slightly longer but only contains hedges, while those who find it easier to ‘pop’ and turn may take the twistier, shorter route through the orchard and over hunt fences.

Among those expected to be among the leaders are last year’s winners Rowan Cope and Arthur, Ollie Finnegan and Rivage D’Or, Dominic Gwyn-Jones and Another Puzzle, and a pair of former winners in Zoe Gibson and Rory Bevin.

Viewing this year will be good for spectators – the early part of the course is easily visible from the hill above fences four and five, and those at the finish will also be able to see quite a lot.

Continued below…

Headcam video: Melton Hunt Club Ride 2012

Enjoy a rider's eye view of the challenging Melton Hunt Club ride

It costs £5 per car to enter, and the race starts at 12 noon. There is a hog roast and bar available, and the weather forecast is good!

The postcode is LE7 9XN, and the race will be signed from the Oakham-Tilton-on-the-Hill road.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Zoe Gibson claimed her fourth Melton Hunt Club Ride on Sunday (16 November) — finishing a field ahead of the rest of the 24 finishers on her 2012 winner Jaffa.

The ride, which took place on a foggy morning in the heart of Cottesmore Hunt country, is run over two miles and was first held in 1956.

Up until the morning of the race, Zoe had planned to ride her multiple winner of the Harborough Hunts Club Ride, Tempo, but decided he felt a “bit flat” and brushed the mud off Jaffa, a nine-year-old by Carroll House, instead.

“He was mega today; I just switched him on and off we went,” said Zoe.

The Gibson domination of the annual race looks set to continue with Zoe’s 17-year-old daughter Harriet finishing third on Woody — two places better than their debut last year.

“I went very wide over the first two fences to keep out of trouble and lost a lot of ground there, but I just wanted a really nice ride,” said Harriet.

“I had to slow to a trot three strides out from Gibsons Gully [a big hedge with ditch towards sponsored by the Gibson family] because someone tripped and fell just before it, and Woody was amazing to go when I kicked him.”

In second place was Heather Moodie, who runs a hunter dealing and livery business in the Heythrop country.

With a high-quality field of 38 starters (pictured above right on their way to the start), the line up was as good as ever. Competing in the race for the first time in 10 years was Rowan Cope, joint-master of the Pytchley, who was in contention on ex-chase Wedger Pardy when taken out at the seventh fence but carried on to finish fifth overall.

For a full report and results of this year’s race, don’t miss this week’s issue of H&H, on sale Thursday 20 November.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The bad weather has claimed another high profile victim — this year’s Melton Hunt Club Ride.

The popular race — one of the highlights of the winter hunt ride calendar — had been due to run in the Quorn country, Leicestershire, on 10 February.

But organisers took the decision to cancel last week, when much of the county was under snow.

Melton Hunt Club chairman Joey Newton said the continued bad weather — with widespread flooding followed by snow — and the difficulties of preparing horses in the wintry conditions were to blame.

The race will miss a year and the Quorn event will run in February 2014, he added.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Yvonne Goss and her brilliant cross-country horse, Perrys Pearl, achieved their second victory in a Melton Hunt Club Cross-Country Ride in the Cottesmore country. She was first over the line from a strong field of 40 riders from all over England.

Perrys Pearl, 13, a Thoroughbred by Dunbeath, repeated his win for Yvonne two years ago through sheer speed and endurance in holding going. The victorious 41-year-old mother of three from the North Cotswold country — a top-class team chase rider for the Forge Flyers — helped her route to victory by coolly steering the horse past a pile-up of horses blocking the Leicester Lane crossing.

“I quickly switched to another place to jump the in-and-out. It was bigger, but we didn’t lose time,” said Yvonne.

The ride, sponsored by Gearys Bakeries, was over a 3.7-mile course in a classic stretch of undulating Cottesmore Tuesday country of grass and fences, between Oakham and Knossington, starting near Orton Park and swinging in a loop above Braunston. There was a slogging uphill finish, which reduced some horses to a trot. The route was organised by Cottesmore joint-master Charlie Gordon-Watson, with course-builder Chris Barnett.

Cottesmore supporters were delighted that local hunting farmer, Richard Walker, a former point-to-point rider, captured second place, riding Mr Montana, an former pointer owned by Cottesmore hunt chairman Nick Cheatle. Richard kicked on quickly to keep his place after a stop in Leicester Lane, but was beaten towards the finish by Perrys Pearl.

Third was Lucinda Barrett Nobbs, 21, riding Lambrini King, owned by her employer, Waveney Harriers joint-master John Ibbott.

“It was my second attempt at the Melton; I fell at the 10th last time,” said a delighted Lucinda.

There was a special cheer when a prize was presented to the rider in fourth place overall, David Redvers, one of the group of pro-hunting protesters who entered the floor of the House of Commons during the hunting debate last September. David, a 34-year-old bloodstock agent from the Ledbury, won first heavyweight’s prize for his ride on Mr Baxterbasics.

Cottesmore joint-master William Bevin was fifth on Wilson and claimed the veteran’s prize.

Results

1 & 1st lady, Yvonne Goss (Perry’s Pearl); 2, &, 1st gentleman & mwt, 1st farmer, Richard Walker (Mr Montana); 3 & 1st under-25, Lucinda Barrett Nobbs (Lambrini King); 4 & 1st hwt, David Redvers (Mr Baxterbasics); veteran, William Bevin (Wilson); hwt farmer, Edward Drury Lowe (John); novice, Sam Vaughan Jones (Final Comment); Guards Saddle Club, Capt Tim Edwards (Saddle Club horse); Cottesmore subscriber, Roger Weatherby (Rupert); Cottesmore master, Tim Hercock.

• This report can be read in full in Horse & Hound (24 February, ’05)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Some of the bravest souls in the hunting and team chasing worlds negotiated the Melton Hunt Club Ride on Wednesday, over an undulating course through the cream of the Quorn Hunt Friday country, taking in the Quenby and Lowesby estates.

Having been postponed from Monday 1 March, due to hard frosts, there was much discussion about the state of the ground before the decision was taken to go ahead. However, a number of entrants, including the Kings Troop, were still concerned about the going and withdrew.

Even with this reduced field, moe than 20 horses assembled at the start waiting patiently for the starter, Charlie Gordon Watson. When he failed to arrive – it seems his quad was napping back to the boxes – Stuart Campbell stepped into the breech and let the riders go with his handkerchief.

Possibly due to the going, the first two fields were taken at a good hunting pace but the ones to watch had soon shown a clean pair of heals to the rest of the field, whose blood was rising.

The Melton Hunt Club Ride has a reputation for being big and hairy, and there were a few hedges that were best attempted on a very scopey horse, but this year’s course included some escape routes to avoid the stiffest questions for the first time.

However, once the ride was underway those fences that frighten the riders most, seemed to jump well. At the MHC drinks party at Quenby Hall on Sunday some riders had spoken in shaky tones about avoiding certain bogey fences but found themselves sailing over them with impunity on the day.

The ride is often won and lost over a single fence and the last, a relatively innocent set of rails, proved decisive this year.

Ashley Bealby’s stop at the aforementioned rails allowed the experienced Jos Hanbury, who first took part in the ride in 1973, to take first place for the second time, while Ashley came in second. Third overall and the first lady home was Emily Gilruth, while hunting officer Capt Rupert Sturgis came fourth and won the silver fox for the first Guards Saddle Club member.

The lure of this ride is such that two people had travelled from Cornwall to pit themselves and their horses against the best that Leicestershire has to offer. With people already hatching plans to enter next year’s race, the race’s supporters are hopeful that the future of this unique challenge is secure.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The future format of one of Britain’s best known cross-country rides across natural country could be in doubt if the size of the entry is not increased substantially at its next fixture.

Only 23 started in the Melton Hunt Club Ride in Leicestershire last November compared with fields of more than 50 or 60 in the past. If this year’s ride does not attract more starters, the organisers may consider changing the format to an easier type of course, with a view to attracting more novice horses and riders.

This year, the ride changes from an autumn to a spring fixture, taking place on Monday, 1 March in one of the finest stretches of Quorn hunting country. It includes the turf and fly fences on parts of the famous hunting estates of Quenby and Lowesby, and is sponsored by Geary’s Bakeries.

“We’ve changed the fixture to attract entries from hunting people who have sound horses suitable for the ride near the end of the season,” says Melton Hunt Club honorary secretary Sally Hudson.

“Entries fell in recent years when we ran the ride at the beginning of the season in November because hunting people didn’t want to compete so early in their season.”

Hunting people in the Shires think a changed format would be a pity because winning the Melton Hunt Club Ride has been a much prized achievement since the club started 48 years ago.

For more information on the ride contact (tel: 01664 464312).

This article was originally published in the Horse & Hound (19 February).

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now