Page 61 - RSDG Year of 2022 CREST

Sprot Cup 2022
Lt Tom Baker-Cresswell
This year, for the first time since 2020 the regiment put together a group of both serving and former officers, from all around the country to compete in the Sprot cup. An event that brought six keen and gifted amateurs to the Scottish borders, in an effort to establish who was the fastest round a two-mile course.
We were incredibly kindly hosted by Will and Natasha Ramsay and the Berwickshire hunt, who put on a fantastic hunt meet, with plenty of opportunity to build up some Dutch courage before the race! In no time, all six competitors were on the start line with a complex course strewn with a multitude of beautifully built post-and-rails jumps and brush fences.
Following the start, Will Ramsay took an early lead, mounted on one of his wonderful hunters, taking the first fence elegantly, only serving to increase his lead over the rest of the field. He was closely followed by myself and the Colonel of the Regiment, both mounted on excellent grey hirelings which were clearly very well-schooled, (Doing a lot to make up for my lack of practice!). By the third fence myself, Brigadier Deverell and the Colonel of the Regiment were neck and neck, with Capt Houston hot on our heels. By this point Henry Cummins had unfortunately taken a fall, gallantly remounted and was fast closing the gap. This order was maintained through most of the race with the odd change in the order as we closed towards the finish.
We careered at an extraordinary pace towards the last fence, the Colonel of the Regiment and I were leading
with not a length between
us, with Will Ramsay and Capt Houston closing fast behind. Colonel Ben took the last fence expertly, taking lead while mid-air. A lead that he managed to keep until the end. Following a toe-curling final furlong, he took the win by only half a length. We were followed closely by Capt Houston in 3rd, Will Ramsay in 4th and Brigadier Deverell in 5th having ridden an excellent finish with Henry Cummins who took up the rear.
It was a very exciting race, and the regiment is once again extremely grateful for the generosity of Will Ramsay, who organised the whole race on his wonderful farm, built the course, organised the hiring of our horses and had us to say for the weekend. The regiment is also hugely grateful to Suzanne Macintosh for once again allowing us to hire her brilliant and particularly well-behaved horses.
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