by John Walsh

Last updated 14:15, Friday, 07 March 2008

THE HTA championship season is just over three weeks away and will have one of the earliest starts for years.

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Born into a hound trailing family: Charlotte Stobbart with Georgia, taken at Latrigg in 2006

Easter falls early so the formula used to determine the start of the season means we get underway on March 24.

Very often Easter is in April so the season begins on the first of the month – and the earlier start this year has prompted a few calls to re-consider the commencement date.

I’m still heavily involved in pigeon racing and it’s the same there with cries of “It’s too cold” or “We aren’t properly trained” when the opening race is due on the first Saturday in April.

Doubtless like some fanciers, a number of trainers will be behind in the work they’ve given their hounds or voice concerns about the inclement weather.

But when there is a start and finish date, which all members know about, then everyone has to get on with it and argue otherwise at end-of-season Area meetings.

I’ve been talking to a few of our junior members about the buzz they get out of hound trailing, and how they are getting ready for the upcoming season.

As I said, any sport depends for its future on the number of younger people coming into its ranks and hound trailing is no different.

Everyone connected with trailing should make a point of encouraging, cajoling andinviting newcomers, especially younger ones, to get involved.

Katie Lyon is 16 years of age and it was her grand-parents who started taking her to the trails when she was a baby so she can rightly claim to have been involved all her life so far.

She told me: “The best hounds I have been involved with are Ashmore, Whitmore and Sycamore which are our own. The hound that I like the best is Dairy One who won the senior championship in 2006.

“I help with our own slipping, catching, walking and yes – cleaning the kennels out.”

She is as keen as everyone else to see more new members as no-one wants to see the sport dwindle out.

“I’m looking forward to the 2008 season to see all the new pups run and to see some favourites from last year. The friends that have been to the trails with us have all thought it is a great sport and look forward to coming again.”

Natalie Finn is 13-years-old and last season finished joint fourth in the Junior competition with Arctic Summit.

She was at her first trail with mum Charlotte and dad Stephen when she was only five months old and has been going ever since.

“My favourite hound was Arctic Ice. I fell in love with him when he was only a day old and he was a star, even though he didn’t win a trail.

“I remember being over the moon when he picked-up his first ticket. He got fifth at Cold Fell Gate and I was so happy. He only got two more tickets but I thought the world of him. Arctic Summit, who ran for me last year in the juniors, is his sister.

“I’m looking forward to the new season and our two hounds Arctic Summit and Dolly Daydreams have been running in trials,” Natalie adedd.

Being born into a trailing family also helps point them in the right sporting direction and Charlotte Stobbart is a perfect example, following mam Liz and grand-father George. She was on a trail field at only three weeks of age.

She enjoyed Junior Club success with Galileo but if you were to ask her favourite hound it would be Genesis.

“He’s a veteran now but I’ve had a special bond with him since he was a pup, and he’s still one of the hounds in the kennel who will be running this year.

“I also fell in love with Gifted when we had him for a short time with our pup for 2008, Gentle Lady.

“Brian Graham gave him to us to keep his sister company and in the end he and Julia Burkinshaw presented him to me, so he’ll be running in the pups this year.

“I keep a special eye on him at the trials but he’s taking time in getting used to racing. He’s enjoying himself hunting at the moment.”

I’ll keep you posted on how the youngsters are progressing through the season but please remember to give them a word of encouragement.

At Coniston the five pups were led in by Tarantino, beating kennel-mate Macy Grey by two lengths with Hilly’s Spark back in third. The winner’s time was 10.35.

Fourteen seniors were headed by Manor Mist who beat Huntsman 99’s Chance by a length with Huntsman’s Charm in close pursuit. The winner’s time was 9.56.

The next organised practice will be around 15 minutes and it will be over a new trail to the ones run previously.

After last week’s Buttermere trial, a total of £300 was raised for Hospice at Home.

The Workington and Cockermouth Area would like to thank the organisers John Grisedale and Heidi Messenger. with special thanks to Maureen, Willie and Judith who farm at Gates Garth and support trailing through winter and summer.