Cherry

The “catlike” point-to-pointer who crossed Dartmoor as though she was made for it

- Octavia Pollock

LENGTH of time is naught when it comes to choosing a favourite hunter. Claire Bellamy rode Cherry for only two seasons, but the “tiny mare with the heart of a lion” sticks with her.

Only 15.1hh, the thoroughbred mare Cherry Vine was bred by Dean and Emma Summersby and ran successfully for them in several point-to-points.

“She did them proud,” says Claire, “until she sadly damaged her pelvis.”

The subsequent time off and retirement gave Claire, then hunting the Spooner’s and West Dartmoor, her chance.

The pair had their “one and only falling out” on their first morning exercise when

Cherry kicked a hound, but “after that, hounds were her best friends and she let them jump all over her”.