Tuesday, 23 May 2017

UNITED HUNTS MEETING AT FONTWELL PARK

Apples Queen
Fontwell Park hosted the United Hunts Spring evening meeting last Thursday, a chance for punters to see point to pointers and Hunter chasers in a meeting entirely designated to the amateur sport.
The ground on offer was good, though jockeys coming in from the first though it was riding more of the softer side. Most horses that have been running in point to points over the last few months were treated to more give in the ground than they have been used to, and this showed slightly with the lack of runners on display throughout the evening. disappointing not only for the course, but the meeting. The owners ARC possibly looking at the meeting to continue without the inclusion of participants and entrants.
 we were not too sure on the ground today but she handled it well
The first race of the evening a four runner event, a Mares open hunter chase over three miles one furlong was taken by Victoria Collins Queen Olivia a 9 year old ridden by Sam Davies Thomas. The 5/2 shot beat the 2/5 favorite Frelia by one and a half lengths. The jockey on the winner mentioned.
'I probably over raced her at Garthorpe last time, but when contested she runs on, we were not too sure on the ground today but she handled it well, she jumped well, and took to under rules fences which was no surprise.'
Queen Olivia ridden by Sam Davies Thomas

The second race of the evening a two and a half miles Open ladies Hunter chase was taken by a family that are deeply  involved within the point to point sport, the Marshall's. Never Complain owned by the Glebe House racing club and ridden by Tabitha Worsley the younger jockey picked for the Anglo-Irish meting at Kingston Blount on the 26th May.
The 9 year old won by a distance from a horse that has been running from the beginning of the point season Bound for Glory from the David Fitch-Peyton yard.

The winner that ran in the Aintree foxhunters, unseating Charlie Marshall, relished the smaller under rules fences of the Sussex track.under the jockey that is riding well at present under rules as well as point to points.
Charlie Marshall mentioned,' we may run him again in a novice riders race for my sister Izzie at Garthorpe in a few weeks time.
Tabitha mentioned about the horse.
'I was so pleased to get the ride on him today, he is so economical, when you want a long stride he'll give you one and if you want to get close to a fence he comes up short, he is a pleasure to ride.He needs the right distance more than the right ground, this going is okay for him, but he has really ran on well for me in the end.'
Though the rain kept falling the ground seemed to be soft on top only and not going too deep into the turf, the horses coping well enough, holding the rest of the meeting in good stead.


 Never Complain
The third race of the meeting the three miles one furlong novice Hunter Hunter Chase, seven runners went to post. Reining champion lady point to point rider Gina Andrews  on the favorite  getting well beaten by Alan Hill's Supreme Danehill going to post at 10/1, good odds as the nine year old has been running well n Hunter chases and points over he season.
'We were very surprised to see his odds in the morning papers an knew he was in with a chance  as the going would of been in his favor.' Mentioned the trainer.
Joe Hill the trainers son, one of the most promising riders on the Point to point circuit mentioned, 'Dad bought this horse solely to give Victoria Pendleton  experience last year, he done that job, and it was good we could keep hold of him this season, if it was a point to point race today he would of started favorite for sure.'
Joe Hill leads the field in the novices Hunter chase

The gelding made most of the running on the figure of eight track, his only faultier was jumping left at the second last, but ell in front that it did not bother he horse placing to take him to the last and up the Fontwell hill.
Supreme Danehill
With rain continuing to fall, the hose managing to get though the rain soaked ground, the fourth race The Grassroots hunter chase over two and a half miles was taken by last years novice hunter chase winner at he meeting Curraigflemens.
Trained by David Kemp the nine year old who has been at the fore font of some good point top point races during the season was ridden by Sam Davies Thomas, a double for the jockey for the evening, Ironically the horses regular jockey Shane Roche, riding a double last year at the course not being able to attend the meeting at he was in the midst of his category B amateurs riding licence training.

The 11/10 favorite  had only four other to beat and made the hose maintain a good pace throughout to test his competitors and take the race by five lengths from Swallowshide.
'He needs better ground than this really,'mentioned the jockey on a brace for the evening. @But didn't get it, but they are going through the top of the ground well enough, it was only at the bottom bend the are finding it hard work.'


Curraigflemens,trained by David Kemp the nine year old who has been at the fore font of some good point top point races during the season was ridden by Sam Davies Thomas
The fifth race of the evening went to a pair also gunning or a double for the evening, Alan and Joe Hill. Man of steel giving a gutsy performance in the Champion Open Hunters chase beating the 4/6 favorite from the Paul Nicholls yard Mon Parrain ridden by David Maxwell back eight lengths in third.
Man of steel 
The jockey riding his first brace under national hunt rules mentioned,'he is a funny sort of horse really and this coarse has suited him well, he will always try for you and he kept on going this evening.
The trainer with two wins in the bag mentioned,'he has won five hunter chases with us know, and has given us a lot of fun, we are not too sure if he'll go to Stratford for some of the finals their, but to beat Mom Parain who is a nice type we will celebrate that for know.'
Alan Hill congratulates horse and son for a double during the meeting.
It was not long though before David Maxwell could get back his Mojo for the evening, beaten with the favorite in the last race he was on board 5/2 shot Darwin's Fox in the four runner Open Hunters chase over two miles and a furlong
Darwin's Fox takes the last from Can Mestret

The eleven year old, 6th in this years Aintree Foxhunters when ridden by Brendan O'Neil too a keen hold with Maxwell throughout but managing to stay on by our lengths to beat Gina Andrews on Can Mestret.
'He was bit strong for me really, but David (Christie) told me to let him bowel along so i did an he went on well for me and he had plenty in the tank, he is not great going left handed but once on the straight i knew we had the race won.'
The owner/jockey ho as a daytime job with property in the City puts a lot into the pointing game, you ill very early see him on a poor horse and always one to watch what he is riding.
 Darwin's Fox, David Maxwell
The final race of the evening, with most of the punters heading for the exit was  the two and a half miles hunters chase for maiden horses.
Seven runners to post the 5/4 favorite from the Welsh borders Spencer Moon under Byron Moorcroft took the race well winning by eleven lengths from Creative Inerta.

Spencer Moon 
'He has been running well all season for us,' mentioned the jockey. 'Jumped well for me an has taken the softer ground, to be fair he acts in most types of going really.'
The horse possibly now going for another point to pint race, could see is next hunter chase in the Subaru Final at Stratford in June.
Spencer Moon under Byron Moorcroft

Later than expected, i know this blog, but has probably taken me that much time to dry out.
I hope this meeting continues, when fully attended and with good weather is a must for all local pointing fans, the cores well designed to entertain the followers of the sport.
More blogs and pod casts from the season can be seen at

Tuesday, 16 May 2017

THE GRAFTON HUNT AT WHITFIELD SUNDAY14TH MAY

GRAFTON HUNT MEET AT WHITFIELD 14TH MAY
Seven races at Whitfield for the Grafton hunt meeting, the final meeting this season form the South Midlands track.

With entries and declared hoses, it had shown how much work had been done on the track to make the going good. Riders coming in from the first saying that the going was on the softer side of good, a rarity the last few months.

The hunt members race 6 runners to post the favourite Aunty Joan taking the race in fine form.
We chat to both trainer Richard Pringuer and Jockey James Martin after the race
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/richard-pringuer-jockey-james-martin-after-aunty-joan-wins-the-members-race-at-whitfield-14-5-17

Aunty Joan
The second of seven races was the Intermediate. Again six runners, 2/1 shot Very Intense from the in form Laura Thomas yard  took the race Johnny Bailey in the saddle. Both loving the success at the moment we chat to them after the race.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/laura-thomas-jockey-johnny-bailey-after-very-intense-wins-the-intermediate-race-at-whitfield-14-5-17
 Very Intense  Johnny Bailey in the saddle.

Rookie Jockey Tabitha Worsley in the GB team for the Anglo-Irish Challenge at Kingston Blount at the end of the month, showed why the young jockey was picked for the team with a rousing finish in the Ladies open getting up on the line with Always a Chance from  Kimora.





We have a chat to the jockey who we hope to hear a lot more of  during the month of May.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/jockey-tabitha-worsley-after-always-a-chance-wins-the-ladies-open-at-whitfield-14-5-17







Always a Chance (yellow) with 3rd place Mostly Bob (Blue) over the last

Breaking the Bank may have broke the heart of Laura Thomas by staying on to the line to win Novice rider race, and prevent a double of the day for the Barbury Castle resident.
Breaking the Bank from the Case family yard, young seventeen year old Charlie Case in the saddle spoke to us after the race.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/jockey-charlie-case-after-breaking-the-bank-wins-the-novice-riders-race-at-whitfield-14-5-17

Breaking the bank over the last, Billy Biscuit in hot pursuit.
It must be said the ride from Laura Thomas, though taking nothing away from the winner was nothing but inspiring. Out the back until around four out, her ride Billy Biscuit took hold of the bit and flew the final few fences, the applause from the crowed was justified as Laura came in with her saying 'What did i do?'
Breaking the Bank young seventeen year old Charlie Case in the saddle


Controversy in the 5th race The Restricted, another tight finish saw Jonjoela from the Andrew Pennock stable crossing the line in front of Tim Underwoods Ballyfore Cross.
Both yards in top form throughout the season, the stewards having to take control of the result after the race.
I chat to Andrew Pennock before the stewards enquiry and the jockey of Ballyfore Cross Katy Lyons at the end of the day
Ballyfore Cross
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/andrew-pennock-and-kate-lyons-before-and-after-stewards-enquiry-restricted-race-at-whitfield

Jonjoela No7
The Open maiden was won in spectacular fashion by Wild Ginger owned/trained by Jacqueline O'Neill, ridden by Charlie Davies.
A 15 length winner in a 14 runner race, the most I have seen in a point race for a few months.
Jockey or connections were not available after the race to chat to me so listen to Pod cast Pointing's view on the race.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/6-pod-cast-pointing-talks-about-the-winner-the-open-maiden-wild-ginger-at-whitfield-14-5-17

Wild Ginger , ridden by Charlie Davies.
The final race of the day the 9 year olds and over conditions race was taken by Elizabeth Browns  10 year old Moorland Sunset ridden by Peter Mason.



We have a chat to the jockey after the race, before ending the day/season at Whitfield for 2017.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/peter-mason-jockey-on-moorland-sunset-winner-of-the-conditions-race-at-whitfield-14-5-17




Moorland Sunset ridden by Peter Mason.

Next podcast will be from the Hunter chase evening meeting at Fontwell Park on the 18th May

Monday, 15 May 2017

PEPER HAROW PUTS THE HEAT ON A POIN TO POINT SATURDAY UNION MEET

SURREY UNION MEET AT PEPER HAROW THE LAST SOUTH EAST AREA MEET OF 2017
The final meeting in the South-east area was supplied by the surrey Union Hunt meet at Peper Harow's unique twisting track that gave way to six quality races.

My first trip to the course that caused me some confusion with its layout to start, but by the end of the meet won me over with its degree of difficulty not found on may other pointing tracks.

The first race for novice and veteran riders saw a local winner with Strollawaynow under Benedict Saw take the race.

We caught up to chat with Owner/trainer Mr A Wates after the race to talk about this horse reinventing himself at 10 years of age.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/andrew-wates-trainer-owner-strollawaynow-winner-the-veteran-novice-riders-race-at-pepper-harrow

Strollawaynow


The next, a Restricted, and it was not long before the leading lady Gina Andrews took to the stage with a win on Nigel Padfields Knockedaboutloaded.



As always, we had a word with Gina about the 9 year old winner for a race series sponsored by Subaru throughout the season.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/gina-andrews-after-the-subaru-restricted-win-on-knockedoutloaded-at-pepper-harrow-13-5-17




Gina Andrews  on Nigel Padfields Knockedaboutloaded.
A double for the afternoon for the stables of Ed and Ben Turner. Franks a Million winning the Men’s Open with Rupert Stearn in the saddle, in a strong contest on the tight, twisting track.
Franks a Million winning the Men’s Open with Rupert Stearn in the saddle,

Ed Turner himself on the second winner when Kriss William, a horse he won last time at Higham in the East Anglian areas final 2017 meet wins the final race of the day The South East Hunts clumembers Conditions race
Ed Turner himself on the second winner when Kriss William

We chat first to Rupert after Franks a Millions win

Then to Ed himself at the end a good day for the yard.

THE TURNER DOUBLE

The Ladies open was taken by Golden Crisp out of the Tim Underwood yard, his horses on good form at present.

In a tight run finish Kate Lyons got the most out of the 10-year-old. We chat to both trainer and jockey after the race.

Golden Crisp (right) upsides Bavard Court (left)

Earl the Pearl took the Open Maiden under Phil York, for the first time for Catriona Kerruish.

We have a chat to Catriona after the race about her yard and her seven-year-old maiden winner.
Earl the Pearl  Phil York






No 5 Know More Oats on the outside of Earl the Pearl








With only a few more weeks to go of the 2016-17 Pointing season, we hope to have a few more Podcasts before we go on our summer holidays.
You can listen to Podcasts from the beginning of the season to the end all at

Audio interviews folder






Saturday, 13 May 2017

FROM ENDURANCE RIDING TO ENDURANCE SHOPPING ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW FRIDAY

The Elite riders for the Endurance around Windsor Great Park

My final bog and podcasts from The Royal Windsor Show 2017, and as over the past few years it has been a show that had delighted and engaged all that i have come across.
As promised for my final fling, i bring you Endurance riding to the shopping experience, all on offer from the Royal show in the Royal county.
We start with an early call at Windsor great park for the Endurance riding. Three classes ranging from elite riders ( The formula 1 of the Endurance world) to the riders just starting out.
Listen and view some of the images of the morning spent out with 'the Long riders'


https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/opening-for-fridays-endurance

IMAGES

FROM THE

MORNING

IN THE WINDSOR GREAT PARK

We even get to have a chat with on of the riders in the event. Who is kind enough to tell us about the discipline of endurance  riding, her involvement and her horse Kiros.
Nicola Martin on Rochero's Qasbah or kiros
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/dr0000_0347mp3

As promised we also made time for some late Friday evening shopping, thrown in a little riding on 'ROBO COB??'
FROM PIES

TO RIDING HATS

We also chat to Claire Ackers a nutritionist from Dengie Feeds, who guides us around some of the feeds on display, from the pony to the competition horse.
HI FI MOLASSES FREE

ALFA-A MOLASSES FREE

ALFA-A  OIL

And the mechanical horse Robo Cob........ Well just listen
The team at the Dengie Stand

We also chat to Rosie Turner from Hicks and brown a British based and produced industry, kiting out the man and women about town and in the country...... HAT'S OFF..........


And we take a look at the delightful hats,bags and waistcoats on display.


























Well, that's it for this year at the Royal Windsor Horse show, a venue a must for the diary next year
If you want to listen to the first two days at the show, or anything else that interests you got to