AGA, "A Day In The Life" part 2 - sneak preview!

Leonie Collier of Jumping Jack Media has finished editing part 2 of our "A Day In The Life" film, featuring Billyvoddan, Jane Williams & Phil Rowley, and I've decided to give you a sneak preview here before it is uploaded to the AGA YouTube site early next week.

Jane & Leonie act professionally while David plays to the camera (again)

Have a punt on the AGA Total Control Championship - David puts his faith in Rachel King, who's your money on?

Mark Hill has very kindly priced the championship up for us, and as you can see it is very open & competitive, if you would like a bet please pay Mark a visit at any meeting where he is standing, or call him on 07831 293363.

AGA Total Control Lady Riders’ Championship Betting Odds

7/1 fav H Watson

8/1       J Buck

8/1       G Andrews

8/1       B Andrews

8/1       S Drake

8/1       E Kelly

8/1       J Williams

10/1    C Hart

10/1    A Dunn

12/1    J Coward

12/1    J Mason

12/1    S Berry

14/1    S Randell

14/1    C Roddick

16/1    C Walton

20/1    G Lane

20/1    R King

20/1    L Sutcliffe

20/1    P Tutty

20/1    C Tizzard

20/1    J Foster

25/1    Bar

From pony racing to Gold Cup winner - young man with a Cheltenham dream

One young man received a late Christmas present at Chaddesley Corbett yesterday when he approached Sam Waley-Cohen for an autograph. Young Liam Harrison, aged 9, is a budding rider and he was quick to make his move when he spotted Sam by the horse boxes following his win on Any The Wiser.

Liam (great nephew of our CEO William McGrath) & Sam - in the background 
you can see Billyvoddan being tacked up before the AGA Ladies Open

Sam was an absolute gent and asked Liam if he wanted a photograph, Liam was delighted and the icing on the cake was when Sam said "do you know this is the Gold Cup winning saddle?" A big thank you to Sam as it's things like this that really inspire youngsters and Liam will treasure this photograph, he may even go on to emulate Sam one day ... you never know! 

The return of the AGA Champion - Christmas cracker at Chaddesley Corbett, 27th December

Race cards sold out, bundles of cash in the ring, sales of The Big Green Annual go through the roof, course bursting at the seams with happy punters and the reigning champ romps home in the hottest of hot AGA races, what an incredible day! Here is my take on it in words and pictures, hope you like it.

'I'm going to post this on the blog later, I hope I can think of a funny caption"

We were joined in the paddock before our race by Robert Waley-Cohen who gave some very helpful tips on choosing best turned out.

Forget best turned out, Robert has just spotted the AGA voucher
 in the race card

Billyvoddan proved how good he is today and as he swaggered around the paddock after his win he kindly agreed to pose for a photograph.

"Do you know who I am?"

The second part of our "A Day In The Life" was filmed and Jane Williams was on top form in the paddock after the race.

"David is on the chestnut in the next but he's had to put up 
4 stone overweight"

Jane earned her first points of the season then had a fit of the giggles when asked to pose with the new AGA "points paddle".

"Just wave it around, imagine you're on the judging panel on Strictly"

Following the race the ladies were able to pick up their "I'm In Total Control" polo shirts, with pink again proving to be the most popular colour.

Emily was pleased with the 2 points and the polo shirt but the photo 
was the icing on the cake! 

Having seen Emily MacMahon get her photo taken, Sam Drake was keen to get in on the act.

The things you have to do to get an AGA polo shirt

As ever the girls were really supportive and more than willing to pose for photos wearing their new polo shirts ... although no extra points were awarded.

Lady riders "In Total Control" can you name them?

Proving that this really is a family affair, young Mr Simpson was drafted into the team for this meeting as assistant photographer, having tired of taking pics of his dad all day he came out from behind the camera to pose for one himself.

"Do I really have to sell an AGA before I can go home dad?"

AGA Champion Jane Williams interviewed after the race as John Beasley tries out new interview technique

Following the race today ... well, about an hour after the race (sorry John), Jane was interviewed by official AGA photographer John Beasley.

"Never mind the AGA, what do you think of my new microphone?"

 Have a look at John's interview with Jane here:

John interviews Jane Williams after the race

The AGA Total Control Lady Riders' Championship

A humdinger of an AGA Ladies' Open race at Chaddesley Corbett saw 3 more of the girls register their first points of the season today - Jane Williams (10), Sam Drake (4) & Emily MacMahon (2) all got off the mark. The other points scorer was Angela Rucker - with the 6 points that she picked up allowing her to edge back into the lead with 18 points.


"See that Angela, 10 points - I'm coming to get you"

The word from the weighing room after the race was that competition is going to be fierce for the rest of the season ... which is exactly what we wanted to hear! 

Current standings Position Rider Points 1 Angela Rucker 18 2 Claire Hart 14  = 3 Rachel King 10  = 3 Claire Metcalf 10  = 3 Jane Williams 10  = 6 Frankie Hickman 6  = 6 Bridget Andrews 6  = 6 Gina Andrews 6  = 6 Sarah-Jayne Davies 6  = 6 Catherine Walton 6  = 11 Chloe Boxall 4  = 11 Rachael McDonald 4  = 11 Heather Kemp 4  = 11 Sam Drake 4  = 15 Emily Stead 2  = 15 Hannah Lewis 2  = 15 Emily MacMahon 2 18 Camilla Henderson 1

AGA "A Day In The Life" part two - AGA filming at Chaddesley Corbett today

Former BBC journalist and film producer Leonie Collier, now of Jumping Jack Media, will be at Chaddesley Corbett today filming the second part of "A Day In The Life", which features Billyvodan, Jane Williams & Phil Rowley. Leonie, who now runs her own Media business, Jumping Jack Media, filmed part one at the beginning of December as we took an intimate look at Billy's preparations for his first run of the season. 

"I'm Billyvoddan and this is my gaff"

The second part of the film will follow Billy & Jane from the minute that they arrive at the course as they attempt to win this race again - the pair won the same race last season on their way to becoming AGA champions. Jane is a complete natural in the film, as is Phil, and both have now been advised to get an agent as more film work will surely follow!

You can view part one of this superb film here, part two will be available soon - watch this space!

The AGA Total Control Lady Riders' Championship - National sponsor to give away a brand new AGA worth nearly £10,000

That's not a mis-print, we really are giving away a brand new AGA, and with such a fantastic prize up for grabs it really has caught the imagination of everyone in the weighing room. There are points up for grabs in 51 races this season, with the best 5 results - plus the final, counting towards the Championship, points earned in the final at Cheltenham count double. 


I can confirm that it is just the AGA that you win ... 
collective huge sigh of relief  from all lady riders!

There are 15 ladies with points, and the early leader is Claire Hart with 14, followed closely by Angela Rucker with 12, both appear to have the ammunition to mount a serious challenge but there is still a long way to go. With the likes of current AGA champion Jane Williams, Hannah Watson and Alex Dunn yet to score points, the table could have an entirely new look come Tuesday evening after the Harkaway Club meeting at Chaddesley Corbett.

Current standings
Position		Rider		Points
1		Claire Hart		14
2		Angela Rucker		12
= 3		Rachel King		10
= 3		Claire Metcalf		10
= 5		Frankie Hickman		6
= 5		Bridget Andrews		6
= 5		Gina Andrews		6
= 5		Sarah-Jayne Davies		6
= 5		Catherine Walton		6
= 10		Chloe Boxall		4
= 10		Rachael McDonald		4
= 10		Heather Kemp		4
= 13		Emily Stead		2
= 13		Hannah Lewis		2
15		Camilla Henderson		1

I will be posting an updated table here following every AGA qualifier, the first one will be on Tuesday evening.

 

**Don't worry if you don't win the AGA ladies as I will be more than happy to sell you a new 

one!

Introducing our AGA special correspondent - Isabel Tompsett

Last season AGA were looking for a female jockey to sponsor and after making some initial enquiries Fergal O' Brien suggested that Isabel would be a good punt. He kindly brought her along to meet us for the first time at Whitwick Manor in February, and we agreed to sponsor her both in Point-to-Point racing and under rules.

As she continues her amazing recovery Isabel has agreed to be our special correspondent this season, previewing all of our qualifying races. Every week Isabel will cast her eye over the entries for the latest AGA Ladies' Open race and give her view on the likely race winner, and you can read Isabel's tips here every Wednesday afternoon. 

L-R; Fergal O' Brien, Isabel & David, pictured after the 
AGA Hunter Chase Final at Cheltenham last season

Issy's tip for Chaddesley Corbett on Tuesday 27th December

 

Issy was full of beans when I spoke to her yesterday evening and she picked out 3 to watch on Tuesday, all of whom she feels will have an outstanding chance on their best form, they are:

• Billyvoddan - owned by Juliet Minton, trained by Phil Rowley & ridden by Jane Williams
• Picaroon - owned & trained by Katherine Smith-Maxwell & ridden by Alex Dunn 
• Kicks For Free - owned & trained by William & Angela Rucker & ridden by Angela Rucker

With one tri-cast under her belt already this season - at Barbury Castle, Issy is definitely one to take seriously so let's hope that all 3 declare to run! I look forward to our weekly chats and I never cease to be amazed by Isabel's passion for all things Point-to-Point, and by the depth of her knowledge. Hopefully we will see Isabel at a Point-to-Point meeting very soon.

AGA Ladies Open Series, "The story so far" ... and they're off!

Going to the first - Cottenham, 27th November
A cold day, ground rather firm, boots marginal and powder kept dry for better ground as there are only 4 runners in the AGA race. There is a seasonal debut for the AGA Total Control van, which was hard driven by Derek Martin, who has trained for 18 years for Point-to-Point and now has a weekend job from heaven.

Zanzibar Boy's price is forced into 5/2 from 4's following sustained
 support from the AGA Pointing team

The first 10 points go to Rachel King, who immediately goes on holiday following her interview with John Beasley!

"Are we nearly finished Beazo? My plane leaves in an hour"

Coming to the second - Barbury Castle, 4th December
Is this well hidden or is the satnav on the blink? Early confusion but the team all arrive eventually and we have 7 runners for the second AGA race of the season.

"So tell me Nigel, is this a bitterly cold and wet, windswept hillside
 in December, or a hub of sporting excitement?"

Kicks For Free kicks on as Angela Rucker earns her first 10 points of the season, with only 2 others coming home behind her. 

"Mind the horse William, I'm off to be interviewed by Beazo"**

We're getting the hang of this thing now ... I think! Beazo interviews the wind and the rain, plus Angela and then there is a stampede at the AGA stand as lady riders collect their "I'm In Total Control" polo shirts.

Sarah-Jayne Davies trades in her silks for a rather smart AGA polo shirt then quickly 
switches to modelling mode, demonstrating that she really is "In Total Control"

**John Beasley - respected Point-to-Point photographer and author of "The Big Green Annual", will hereby be referred to as "Beazo"

The AGA van heads north while Mrs Rucker heads south - Alnwick and Tweseldown, December 11th
Three inspections up in Alnwick but the snow did not triumph as it did in 2010 and Beazo finds that the winner does not mince her words (or add too many).

254 miles to get here - what's all this white stuff?

Meanwhile at Tweseldown Stephen Astaire seems delighted that his rain dance worked as a decent crowd are on hand to see Angela Rucker snaffle another 2 points to go top of the league. All 10 lady riders flocked to the presentation area following the race and jostled for position so they could pose for a photograph with David ... or was it the £25 AGA voucher that they wanted?

Team photo, David and the girls, pretty in pink and "In Total Control"

The AGA tow rope proves to be a useful acquisition - Whitfield, 18th December
A plethora of early withdrawals did not dampen enthusiasm and we were treated to 10 races with 102 runners. The Smith-Maxwells made an early retreat only to return minus their horse for a scouting mission ahead of Chaddesley Corbett.

"

"I'm not running my horse today but I'd love a photo in a pink
 AGA "I'm In Total Control" polo shirt"

Fergal O' Brien and Richard "Sparky" Bevis were the latest trainers to be pictured in pink AGA "I'm In Total Control" polo shirts, this was only after they had hung around the stand for 30 minutes pleading for a photograph.

Following the AGA race the first 4 home reveal David Simpson's pin number!

The day ended dramatically as the soft ground saw the AGA tow rope make its first appearance of the season amid talk that the van will need better going to be at it's peak.