Winning Post

Bryony gets off to a flyer

PONY racing in Devon and Cornwall got under way at a wet, windy and cold Blackforest Lodge with the 138cm race going to Robert Williams on Oscar who travelled down from the Gelligaer Farmers in Wales. Robert, 13, beat Chloe Grove, 13, on Summertime Blaze from the Silverton, a regular campaigner in the area's races and a previous winner at Cheltenham. Ten-year-old Hannah Welch, 10, was third on her new pony Superted who was really running on at the end, and her cousin, Barney Treneer, was fourth on Wish Upon A Star. Both the latter were qualified with the Dartmoor. Robert Williams was out of luck in the 148 race, denied any chance of a double, as he took a tumble on Drama Queen when the pair had a bit of a disagreement about which side of a marker to go. The race was won in fine style by Bryony Frost, another Dartmoor qualifier, on her regular partner Jack Sparrow. Bryony looks like accumulating plenty more wins this season as the pony won readily. Joe Ponting, 11, another who had travelled a long way, from the Curre and Llangibby, was second on Chinglarna and Pippa Glanville, another from the Dartmoor, was third on Champagne Charlie. The next pony races in the Devon and Cornwall area will be held at the Dart Vale and Halden Harriers races at Buckfastleigh. Details from Mrs Eileen Ashby (01548) 53149. Entry forms and information are available on www.fredsampson.co.uk Charles Owen pony racing fixture leaflets are available by sending an A5 SAE to Lee Glanville, South Battisborough Farmhouse, Holbeton, Plymouth PL8 1JY