Summer BBQ ' The best yet'

20/08/10

Following a wet two or three days owners could have been forgiven for fearing the worst ahead of this year's summer barbeque but the Hambleton weather came up trumps with sunshine breaking through on a rainless and very enjoyable day.

Sunday's owners barbeque had all the usual ingredients of a good day at Hambleton; a great morning on the gallops, good food and drink and the best company but a new twist came in the form of the entertainment.

 

Owners were treated to complimentary drinks and warm sausages courtesy of the Hambleton Inn ahead of the action and were collectively very impressed by the excellent condition of the Hambleton horses, who walked back past the gallery after their initial canter to ensure everyone got a really good look at their horses.

From the gallops owners headed into the yard to see their horses at closer quarters. After a good time in the yard owners and the Hambleton team retired around to the Hambleton Inn where the grounds of the pub had been hired for the day for everyone to enjoy.

With the weather good everything was set fair for a great afternoon, which was to prove full of excitement and laughter on what was widely acclaimed as the best summer barbeque yet.

Once owners had exited the yard everyone was supplied with a surprise - a quiz to complete about their trainer Kevin Ryan. Whilst everyone tried to get to grips with some challenging questions attention turned to the large inflatable that had appeared whilst owners toured the yard - the second surprise of the day!

The air-powered fun was Caroline's latest idea for fun and games on an exciting and fun-packed day. Contestants were encouraged to try out the day's sports - a bungee run that provided thrills, spills and a good physical work out. There were no shortage of takers and after some practice runs the gentlemans and ladies competitions were framed.

During the early stages of the competition the last of the quiz forms were completed as owners enjoyed drinks from the pub ahead of the barbeque. Some interesting answers were posted including one slightly suspicious entry - more on that later - as the heats were completed in the bungee run. After the quarter final the remaining contestants and the rest of the owners present got ready for the barbeque itself which Tracy had been preparing through the day.

 

The standard of food was, as ever, of a fine quality, but before owners tucked in to their complimentary meal the results of the Kevin Ryan quiz were announced.

A series of questions offered a potential top score of 40 and the judges eyebrows were raised when one owner submitted an all-correct entry, even managing to nail down Kevin's career winner total to date, 833.
As Caroline announced the result a stewards enquiry was called and David, who had been first past the post, was disqualified for enlisting the help of the assistant trainer to answer the questions!

 

This left Derek to take the honours - and champagne prize - for the quiz with Myra taking the runner-up berth and brandy and John the bronze medal position and wine. Disqualified David took his penalty with good grace and humour before owners and competitors tucked in to their lunch ahead of the closing entertainment.

At least one contestant - mentioning no names Jon - offered the opinion that the hearty lunch was perhaps not conducive to athletes achieving their best but the remaining competitors used the extra energy to good effect with Damon, Jon, Eleanor and Klaudia making it through to the best-of-five finals.

The ladies final proved incredibly close with a dead heat in one run before Eleanor just edged home from Klaudia 3-2. Despite the 3-0 margin of victory, the gentlemans final was also tight with three short winning margins recorded by Damon as he took the honours. The winners collected their champagne prizes to a good reception before everyone relaxed and mulled over the day’s events with a drink or two.

We'd like to thank everyone who helped make Sunday such a fantastic day. The summer barbeque is turning into one of our most enjoyable and popular events of the year and is a day the HR team get a lot of enjoyment from.

Worryingly, Caroline is already planning what daft, energetic games she can tempt the team into allowing for next year's event. We're looking forward to it already………

 

 

 

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