The Axe Vale Pony Club are holding a Christmas showjumping competition at Bicton College, East Budleigh on January 3, starting at 10am.
Class 1, Lead rein, 1st Ridden 18”approx, 10 years and under; Class 2, Lead rein and 1st Ridden 2ft approx, 12 years and under; Class 3, Novice 2'3” approx - open; Christmas Fancy Dress competition for horse and rider, prizes for best rider and horse/pony ; Class 4, Pairs Relay 2'3” approx - open; Class 5, Novice 2'6” approx - open; Class 6, Intermediate 2'9” approx -open; Class 7, Open 3' /3'3” approx - open.
In the pairs relay one rider jumps the course, then hands over their whip to the second rider who then jumps the same course. This is against the clock from start of first rider to finish of the second rider. The competition will be in a good size outdoor school
All entries will be made on the day. Contact: Mrs Penny Carter (01404) 814472 or 07919 880289, email; penny.k.carter@gsk.com Classes 1-7, £5 per class , Class 4 £8.
THE classy Burntoakboy was the star of the show at Wadebridge, where heavy overnight rain produced testing ground, writes Granville Taylor.
This formerly useful handicap hurdler was on a mission to qualify for this season’s Foxhunters Chase, having gained the first part of his qualification with an easy win at Cottenham on the opening day of the pointing season. He did so in great style, easing clear of his seven rivals from four out to beat the Welsh challenger Seaforde by six lengths. His owner/trainer Dr Richard Newland did not make the journey from Worcestershire, but winning jockey Tom Weston, paying his first visit Wadebridge, was delighted with his mount’s performance, saying that the ten-year-old had “only cantered twice in the week because of the frozen ground”. He expects that the gelding will have a break now before being prepared for Cheltenham.
Another Cheltenham Foxhunters candidate emerged in the shape of Lord of Illusion, who took the Novice Riders’ race in the hands of 18 year old Matt Griffiths. This rangy gelding was also a good performer under rules, having contested a Gold Cup and Grand National. He found easier pickings here, being left clear of the tiring Lourd Hymn when both King Georges and Just Muckin Around lost their jockeys at the third last. Winning trainer Sue Popham, who is based near Taunton, said “This is not his course and not his ground,” but she is keen to have a tilt at the Foxhunters, having bought the gelding on behalf of the Harper’s Wood Partnership at Ascot sales in June.
The Ladies’ Open provided the closest finish of the day with Dr Cerullo (Claire Allen) getting a head verdict over the favourite Croix de Guerre (Katherine Hobbs). The pair raced stride for stride over the final three fences and were virtually inseparable when they reached the judge. “He is very brave and was well up to it coming up the hill” was the winning rider’s verdict on this gutsy seven-year-old, who hails from the Ottery St Mary yard of Polly Gundry and Ed Walker.
Ha Ho Magregor jumped well and made all to see off eight rivals to win the Restricted, chased home by Give It Holly and Man of Leisure. The winner was partnered by 23 year old Suzy Berry, who also trains the gelding for her father Tony at the family farm at North Petherton near Taunton. She described her charge as, “a lovely little horse but he can run freely and I thought he needed another two weeks work”.
Suzy was denied a double when partnering runner up Matako in the 12 runner Maiden. She looked to have stolen a vital advantage racing down the hill, but 19 year old Sam Allwood brought Ellies Horse to challenge at the third last, and this six-year-old stormed clear in the home straight. The winner was saddled by Karyn Heard for the Notre Cheval Partnership run by Minehead vet Philip Browne. “He travelled and jumped well and could improve further” was the verdict of the successful jockey who had diverted himself to Wadebridge from the abandoned Lingfield Park meeting.
Tavistock-based Jimmy Cole gave front running Dutch Bill a positive ride to beat odds-on shot Sykee Savage in the Intermediate. Jimmy’s mount came off best as the leaders bunched up on the bend out of the back straight, and maintained the advantage on the final climb, reaching the post with two lengths to spare over recent Black Forest winner Sykee Savage. Dutch Bill is trained by Katherine Northcott for Lamerton publican Robert White.
Results: Club Members’ Novice Riders’: 1, Lord of Illusion (M Griffiths); 2, Lourd Hymn (E Glassonbury); 3 Wembury Point (J Huxham). 5 ran; dist, dist ; 6 mins 30 secs
Men’s Open: 1, Burntoakboy (T Weston); 2, Seaforde (R Hughes); 3, Whereareyounow (J Maxse). 8 ran; 6l, 10l; 6mins 24 secs
Ladies’ Open: 1, Dr Cerullo (Miss C Allen); 2, Croix de Guerre (Miss K Hobbs); 3, Cobreces (Miss C Tizzard). 8 ran; head, 1/2l; 6mins 24secs
Restricted: 1, Ha Ho Magregor (Miss S Berry); 2, Give It Holly (Miss S Randell); 3, Man of Leisure (M Woodward). 9 ran; 3l, 4l; 6mins 30 secs
Intermediate: 1, Dutch Bill (J Cole); 2, Sykee Savage (D Mansell). 4 ran; 2l only two finished; 6mins 31 secs
Open Maiden: 1, Ellies Horse (S Allwood); 2, Matako (Miss S Berry); 3, Nomad (Miss J Buck); 12 ran; 3l, 6l; 6mins 33 secs
l Meet up with friends over the Christmas holidays at the South Devon Hunt Club point to point at Ideford Arch near Kingsteignton on Sunday, December 28. First race 11am.
Buffy's puppies are growing fast and turning into right little characters. They are nearly four weeks old and it is just getting to the fun bit! They have just started to be fed some milk and weetabix and it is really amusing watching them, especially when they know the food is coming! Some are real pigs and others a little more polite! They should all turn out to be easily trainable though as Buffy is obedient and so is their dad Tim. I certainly hope so as we are keeping one for Zoe to train.
Poor Mary King had a terrible day at the Express Eventing Challenge at the Millenium Stadium on Sunday. Weeks of practice and preparation had gone into the event which saw all three phases - dressage, showjumping and cross country - taking place in the stadium. She was lying second on her Olympic horse Call Again Cavalier when he slipped late on the course and broke his leg. What should have been a fun and groundbreaking event struggled to regain its momentum after the tragedy, which of course took place at close quarters to the spectators. Call Again Cavalier, 16, had won individual silver at the 2007 European Championships and team bronze at the Olympics this year.
Well, anyone who braved Blackforest Lodge on Sunday was treated to some great racing - one even finishing in a dead heat, virtually unheard of in point to pointing. But despite the biting wind it was great to see friends again, some of whom have not been spotted since Umberleigh in June (Martin Harris, that's you!). Nerys Dutfield, who trains NH horses near Axminster, was the only Devon winner during the whole day, her Man of Leisure (Merv Woodward) taking the second division of the young horses two and a half mile maiden.
The rest of the prizes went to Wales, the welsh being great supporters of these early meetings due to the ease of transporting horses down the M5. It may be very different at the next meeting though, on December 13 at Wadebridge. The course is a bit further south and local trainers often prove difficult to beat. Love or hate the Royal Cornwall Showground track, there is always good racing there.