April 2009 - Posts
I haven't had much time to update this blog recently but you can find out lots about PTP pony racing on www/devon24.co.uk/ponyracing
I am so proud of my pony racers! They are all developing into great race riders and their enjoyment and determination is starting to pack the crowds in early at the point to points to watch them.
There was a full up 10 for the 138 race at Axe Vale - headed by G Whizz, this time ridden by Megan Nicholls but previously having enjoyed easy wins at Axe Vale under Harry Derham. It showed how much the Devon and Cornwall area riders have come on by how close a race it was.
Barnaby Treneer didn't have the best of starts - his pony, and, incidently G Whizz, was facing the wrong way when the starter let them go. But they were all soon into their stride and Ravara super Ted, Bronze Lawrance, Bejowan's Bouquet and G Whizz as well as Barnaby's Talponciau Perfect Print were all soon battling their way up the straight, The lead was changing all the time but close home G Whizz won with Heidi Lewis thoroughly deserving her second place on Bejowan's Bouquet.
The 148s had a mile and a half to run, for the first time this season. It meant they had to negotiate both corners of the course and not cutting each other up will be something we have to work on!! But this group of ponies are very well matched this year and it was difficult to call the winner. Hannah Welch was in the leading bunch when her pony decided not to take the bend - then changed his mind with her flying out the side door. Luckily she was unhurt and the paramedics were quickly on the scene. Josie Gordon had lost her stirrup at the start but soon got back into her comfort zone and won the 'ride of the day' award. She was a fast finishing third behind a much improved Tarka (Bryony Frost) and Bryony's old pony Jack Sparrow won for his tiny new rider Hugo Hunt.
we are now looking forward to Saturday's racing at Flete Park (may 2, noon).
Crickey - days don't get much better than Sunday's point to point at Stafford Cross. My home trained horse Lisheen Storm won the open at the Axe Vale Hunt meeting- ridden by Richard Woollacott. I was secretary at the meeting for nine years before we moved, having hunted with them since being a child. There was such a cheer when we went back into the winners' enclosure and everywhere I looked there were friends celebrating with us. All the family was there, Zoe led up, Lawrence does the scales at AV, Pippa had been pony racing earlier and both lots of parents were also watching. We had a great party in the lorry park which went on for quite a while and don't think that I will forget it for a long time.I can't imagine winning at a better meeting. It was great and makes all those horrible dark wet windy mornings when I have to crawl out of bed to ride out before setting off for work in Exeter worth while. As well as all those testing times on the gallops - it is pretty difficult training a horse on its own, especially when the gallops are a long thin 40 acre field with lots of things to spook at! And the grim bit when we were so disappointed after a poor third at Great Trethew, had the horse blood tested a couple of times and established that he had a low level virus which meant he missed both Buckfastleigh meetings.It was great for Richard W too as he was so disappointed at Great Trethew and utterly convinced that something was wrong with Storm - at home he had not shown any signs of being ill but with hindsight had probably been a bit too well behaved! Our great mate Tim Dennis had previously won on him, Richard deputising when Tim was injured and having a couple of close seconds so he deserved the win too.
Anyway Storm has had a day out in the field with his pony friend and some cows and hopefully will be able to run a few more times this season.
The weather looks to be fine again for the Axe Vale point to point on Sunday, Apirl 26 - clerk of the course Chris Holmes has been watering the course since Monday and he and his team always do a good job. It doesn't seem to matter what the season does otherwise, they nearly always need to water at Stafford Cross!
There is a full up entry for the pony races and the riders are really getting competitive now. There don't seem to be any riders based in East Devon, but lots in South Devon, north Devon and Dorset/Somerset. It would be good if some of the pony clubs could get their local trainers involved and hold a racing rally on their gallops. There is a pony club leaflet available for organisers on how to run a racing rally. I reckon the Modbury Harriers 138 race in 10 days time will be full up with local riders.
Fingers crossed we will be running Ted on Sunday - he had a very busy Easter Holidays. He raced on Easter Saturday and Monday, had a day off on Tuesday and then played polocrosse on the Wednesday, had pony club rally on the Thursday, showjumping training on Friday night and raced again on Saturday at Flete.
He will be glad that Pippa went back to school on Monday, but that just means he gets ridden out when she gets home! When the PTP season ends he will have a crack at some Working Hunter classes at the local agricultural shows before going to camp and then being sold as Pippa is getting too tall for him.
Storm is entered at Axe Vale and I hope we can run there. He went well last time out, 2nd at Cherrybrook, but there hasn't been anywhere I could run him since due to pony racing commitments and a glut of open four mile races in the D and C area.
I have hardly had chance to think about Rosie (Madam Rose) who is due to foal soon - on the day of the second Flete point to point. Her three year old was born on the morning of Axe Vale point to point so it would be funny if this one arrived on time. She is getting fatter each day.
Axe Vale pony club have their big show coming up on May 25. You can download the schedule from www.devon24.co.uk/ponyracing