May 2008 - Posts
It has been great to see that pony racing's popularity is growing all the time and the Dulverton West races on Saturday were oversubscribed - the first time that has happened in the Devon and Cornwall Area.
The points competition has spurred on the riders and some of them have turned out for every fixture which is the idea behind it.
Chloe Grove has been at or near the top of the 138s finishes each week and Bryony Frost has been nigh on unbeatable in the 148s and the pair of them are in the running for the points championship, Bryony just shading the lead.
There is another trophy being presented at Umberleigh for the rider who the organisers of each meeting feel has gained the most fromt the season's racing, which means that even if a pony is not the fastest, the right attitude from the rider could still see them take centre stage at the presentations.
How fantastic for Sidmouth's Mary King to be part of the GB Olympic team for the fifth time.
She has worked so hard to get to the top of the sport and has stayed there throughout raising a family which is truly amazing. In Imperial Cavalier and Call Again Cavalier she has two horses who must be the envy of event riders across the world. She has maintained contact with the Axe Vale Pony Club and I know that all the members will be rooting for her all the way.
I can't believe that the final point to point of the season is now less than a month away. It has been a long season but Storm is still in work in case there is a sudden dowmpour of rain somewhere. We were intending to run at Bratton on Saturday, but kept him in the trailer as we felt the ground was just too firm. He has run well on good to firm but it was more firm than good as amazingly Bratton did not have the rain we enjoyed at the end of last week.
I am hoping that the weather is good at Umberleigh though as it is the pony race finals and I would love it if all the runners were from the Devon and Cornwall area. It is a great time to catch up with all your mates before we all disperse for the summer. Why not go along. Torrington Farmers' point to point at Umberleigh on June 14, first race 2pm.
If only horses could talk! We had a disastrous time at Flete Park on Saturday when Storm trailed round in the confined against four opponents and pulled up. He was spot on - or so I thought - fitness wise but, with hindsight, I guess he didnt run that well at the course last year. We had thought that was because last time there were only three in the race but maybe he just didn't like the course which is quite undulating and twisty. This time we opted for the Confined, a penalty, and blinkers as only two had declared for the men''s open and we wanted to avoid another small field. Anyhow all our thinking was pointless as Storm couldnt have run worse if he had tried. As he was sent off favourite we also had to be interviewed by the stewards to explain why he had run so badly. If only we knew!
I also think he hated the blinkers and he won't have those again. At least he came home safe and sound. Poor Jackie Du Plessis had the joy of Kingsmill Lake's fab win and the distress of losing Miss Ziggerson, a homebred mare, who collapsed after finishing third in our race.
And we didnt have far to go home - three miles, 10 minutes!
I see today that Rockwithacaveman powered home in the Cotley open yesterday and SueTrump's McSolo won at Vauterhill. With Holnicote also on at the weekend I guess any of those tracks would have been better for us than Flete but I was already committed to the pony racing there and was keen to run at the weekend.
The day had started well as the pony racing was again a success and also at last for Pippa who was third in the 138s on her pony Charlie. she gave him a great ride and made a lot of ground on the inside, her efforts earning her the 'best ride' prize -which wasn't picked by me I would hasten to add.
She is full of enthusiasm for the next outing on May 17 at Bratton Down. Charlie looks pretty fierce sometimes in the paddock but has an exceptional temperament and, despite being revved up on racehorse food, completed a double clear in team showjumping on Sunday, their team coming fifth at the Dartmoor Pc event.