The new hunter trial fences at Bicton Arena are unveiled this Sunday when the East Devon Hunt branch of the Pony club hold their annual event. Always a busy day, it is bound to be even more popular this time.
Also on Sunday is the second of the Devon and Cornwall Area PTP pony races at Buckfastleigh (first race off at noon).
There were many great things about this year's Ottery St Mary point to point which always gives a chance to catchup with old friends. The course was changed and featured a new look open ditch and there were three fences in the railway straight and only two in the home run which had a dramatic effect on the day. Racing was much more fluent and there were no last fence fallers. The fences were impressive and up to height and a fitting tribute to retiring clerk of the course Bill Trump and course builder Andy Ross. The weather was springlike and the standard of horses taking part led to competitive racing throughout.
Ben and Mark Moore had their first year as Clerks of the Scales and did really well, coping with all the stresses of weighing in and out the jockeys before and after each race. One absentee was course owner and racing character Oliver Carter,who is currently in hospital, but his family played a message from him over the loudspeaker. As he boomed "Hello, it's Oliver Carter here' all the regular racegoers looked at each other and said in unison "pick up all your litter!"
Local winners included Bill and Sue Trump's horse McSolo in the members' race, Kathy Stuart's Kenickie, and the Gundry/Walkter trained pair Restlesss Harry and Labarynth - not bad to see four of the 10 prizes stay close to home.
It was also a treat to see Southwestern back to his best in the men's open and the horse is now qualified to take his chance in the Cheltenham Foxhunters. If you haven't been to a point to point before why not give it a try. It is a great day out. Pack a picnic, take more warm clothes than you imagine you might need and you will have a whole heap of fun.