New Forest trail race

By Simon Lamen

THE ARMY has a little saying and it is summed up by the phrase “The Seven Ps”. It stands for Prior Preparation and Planning Prevent a Poor Performance
   Okay that’s only six Ps but the seventh is not for general consumption (answer by email only). In essence it means that if you don’t check out the trail beforehand then someone will end up knee deep in mud and cold water.
   Well, the planning of Cush and myself meant that Cush spent two days thigh deep in mud and water and therefore the course was altered so that you the caniteer didn’t suffer the same fate and have a poor performance. Well not on this run anyway! Let's see what the future holds.
   With thanks to the Forestry Commission the caniteers were let loose in the Bolderwood and Highland Water Inclosures of the New Forest.
   We wanted to give you a run through the Mud, Water and Forests of the Land and hopefully we succeeded. The trail offered the caniteer all kinds of terrain including open heathland, streams swollen by recent rains and dirt trails turned to mud by deer, horses, mountain bikes and passing public.
   None of these deterred our runners. They and their canines set off into the woods and, following a trail of arrows and guiding lines, they negotiated the course. A wide range of canines led their owners over and through the undulating terrain and on to glory.
   Now for some sexism! Boys, we need to get our entries in for the next race. Prizes were there for the taking but the adult male competition was lacking and no awards were given
   The girls were leads and lines ahead and a fierce competition ensued. Congratulations to Anne Jennings and Sydney the Lurcher for beating all comers. Hot on Anne's heels were Cushla Lamen (Trail Runners) and Helen Chalk (Forestry Commission).
   Jane and Richard Morris were competing in the veteran categories and both - along with Chantelle and Hugo, their standard and miniature poodles - took home the gold.
   Two souls were brave enough to attempt the route harnessed to two dogs each: Chris Shave took to the trail with a Rottweiler and an Australian Sheep Dog, while Nicky