It's all pointing to a strong season

Detling is a course with good drainage and is very popular with owners, so there should be a strong entry and turn-out.

The West Street Tickham Hunt has shown great initiative by holding the meeting so early and it will be in addition to its own Grand National meeting on March 8.

The south-east will have 14 meetings in 2008 '“ one more than last year, as the Mid Surrey Drag will hold a meeting at the Godstone course.

Nationally, the season started on December 2, and a number of local horses have already had an outing.

Indications are that there should be more runners in 2008 since the number of horses being issued with hunter certificates has in creased by more than 40 in the south-east.

For full story see Sussex Horse World in the West Sussex Gazette January 16