Mud bath at Chaddesley as Horsham Lad wins a cracking AGA Ladies Open, and our new Le Chameau boots make their debut!

It was dark at 6am on Friday morning, and cold, and wet ... and I'm sure that the Coward family will remind me that it was just the same at 4am in Yorkshire! I was up and had the car packed while the rest of the Simpson family slept, and they did not want to get out of bed - even a nice cup of tea in a special edition AGA mug was not enough to tempt Mrs S (Yorkshire tea as well!).

 

As you can see from the first three pics it was already quite muddy when we arrived, and we needed a tractor to tow Derek in with the AGA van - which also caused a slight delay! It was a good day for our new Le Chameau boots to make their debut, but, despite the new footwear, Mrs S refused to get out of the car - however, she was eventually cajoled out after being convinced that it was really quite warm!

I suspect that washing machines in the pointing world will be working overtime this weekend, especially the one in the Lewis yard - Hannah returns to the paddock (above) on a very muddy Vic Venturi after finishing 3rd in the Club Members race, and gives connections her view of the race (below).

AGA point-to-point winners visit the Divertimenti Cookery School in London

Back in July we took all of the winners of our additional award categories - plus our two new champions, for an end of season celebration in London at our Divertimenti Cookery School. A delicious menu was dreamed up for this hands-on session, which was designed to be fun as well as challenging, and each of the winners brought a partner so that they could work in teams.

Something fizzy was served while our group waited for the arrival of our host for the day - TV Chef Rachel Green while AGA Rangemaster Group CEO William McGrath gives his pre-race address, thanking our group for their efforts during the season and telling them to have a great day!

Rachel Green has arrived and after addressing the group she is straight in amongst it to demonstrate that she wants this to be a hands-on session!

I do believe that ace Yorkshire trainer Mrs Cherry Coward has just spotted the camera man!

AGA Ladies Series steps up a gear at Barbury Castle, both on and off the course!

The venue for the second AGA Ladies Open of the season is Barbury Castle and there was a real sense of deja-vu for AGA CEO William McGrath because for the second season running he was heard to say - "is this well hidden or is the satnav on the blink?"

The wind had played havoc with our attempts to show off the new AGA Home Business set up at Cottenham, but Derek bagged a prime spot upon arriving at the course (just after dawn), and we soon had everything in place ... and it looked good!

People were soon flocking to our AGA tent to find out what this new AGA Home Business idea is all about, including PPA board member Heather Kemp and her husband Tony. Heather, newly retired from the saddle, was also clutching a handful of notes which were swiftly exchanged for 6 of our limited edition AGA Pointing mugs!

Pastures new for one of our AGA Pointing boys as Chris takes on a new challenge

If you have been to an AGA qualifier during the past two years you will most probably have met Chris. Cheeky grin, Barbour cap perched on his head at a jaunty angle and looks a bit like he could be in a boy band! Well, after nearly 4 years with AGA he has found a new challenge and I thought it would be nice to take a look back at his "pointing career" in words and pictures.

This one is from Dalton Park and was taken towards the end of our first season as national sponsor in 2011 ... what's in the box Chris?

AGA Championship gets off to a windy start at Cottenham but ends on a warm note thanks to new friends

The opening day of the 2012/13 point-to-point season had arrived so it was time for the talking to stop and the action to begin - Cottenham here we come. An early start was preceded by an AGA tweet or two ... and an early phone call from owner (and PPA board member) Steven Astaire in which the words "wind" and "strong" were mentioned more than once.

We didn't get much of the new AGA gazebo erected and this was all that we dared to put up, otherwise we feared it may have taken off and ended up somewhere in Cambridgeshire! This presented another problem as the lavish AGA spread - courtesy of Mrs S, had to be relocated to one of the old horse boxes, along with the tables and chairs ... not a great first outing for our new set-up.

As this was not only the opening fixture of the season, but also the only surviving race meeting anywhere in Britain, we had a feeling that a lot of attention would be on the start ... so we targeted the starters rostrum for a bit of creative AGA branding.

David Simpson on the new 2013 AGA Ladies' Open Point-to-Point Championship

Why not start the season with a punt on the AGA iTotal Control Lady Riders' Championship

Once again Mark Hill has kindly priced up the AGA iTotal Control Lady Riders' Championship. His initial prices are listed below and he will update them as the season progresses, although this will also depend on demand.

To clarify - the prices quoted are to win the Championship outright, the best 5 scores gained in the 34 AGA Ladies Open races will count, along with the score from the final. Points earned in the final will count double.

This is how the points are awarded:

 

 

Race type	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
34 AGA sponsored Ladies Opens races (Q)	10	6	4	2
AGA Ladies Hunter Chase Final - Stratford	20	12	8	4

 

 

Others will be available on request and I have listed some additional prices beneath the main table - Mark sent these through last night. Sam Drake was quoted at 10/1, however, I have removed her from the list as she has now turned conditional and we are very unlikely to see her in points.

The AGA iTotal Control Lady Riders' Championship Betting Odds

5/1 jt fav Claire Hart, 5/1 jt fav Jane Williams, 7/1 Gina Andrews, 8/1 Jacqueline Coward, 10/1 Leanda Tickle, 10/1 Bridget Andrews, 10/1 Hannah Lewis, 12/1 Hannah Watson, 12/1 Jo Buck, 12/1 Angela Rucker, 14/1 Alex Dunn

14/1 & upwards Bar

Each way 1/4 odds - 1, 2, 3

Mark will be standing at various Midland tracks and will be in the crowd at Cottenham on Sunday, you can also call him on 07831 293363.

**The additional prices that I requested have just come through from Mark - 16/1 Sarah-Jayne Davies, 25/1 Emily MacMahon, 25/1 Charlotte Prichard, 25/1 Ally Stirling, 25/1 Frankie Hickman, 33/1 Sarah 'Ripper' Rippon

That was the season that was ... AGA style! Part 3

As the countdown continues towards the start of the new season a thought occured to me, why not pen a review of the 2011/12 AGA Ladies Open Series. It presents a good opportunity to set the scene for what I am sure is going to be another exciting series, and also gives me a chance to post some more of Beazo's superb photos.

The AGA Series and the inaugural AGA Total Control Lady Riders' Championship reached a thrilling climax at Cheltenham in May, but during the preceeding five months there were lots of memorable moments and great performances in the saddle. The story continues in the sunshine at Milborne St Andrew ...

Milborne St Andrew - Wilton

A second visit of the season to Milborne St Andrew saw a title challenge from Chloe Boxall briefly flicker into life with an impressive 6 length win on Armoury House.

Armoury House was as impressive in the winners enclosure as he was on the track and this photo is another qualifier for "if only they could talk".

That was the season that was ... AGA style! Part 2

As the countdown continues towards the start of the new season a thought occured to me, why not pen a review of the 2011/12 AGA Ladies Open Series. It presents a good opportunity to set the scene for what I am sure is going to be another exciting series, and also gives me a chance to post some more of Beazo's superb photos.

The AGA Series and the inaugural AGA Total Control Lady Riders' Championship reached a thrilling climax at Cheltenham in May, but during the preceeding five months there were lots of memorable moments and great performances in the saddle. The story continues in the rain at Ston Easton ...

Ston Easton - Mendip Farmers

Gina sluices through the mud to bag 10 AGA points, while in the background you would never think that Claire is riding a grey ... unless you look at the rear end!

Gina smiles as the rain keeps falling and the mud gets thicker.

Back to defend his title ... a story from the AGA archives

Around this time last year I went to visit the then reigning AGA champion - Billyvoddan, to see how he was getting on as he prepared for his seasonal debut. This is the resulting article that appeared on the AGA website ...

 

Back to defend his title - the new 'face' of 2011/12, Billyvoddan

 

Last week I was in the AGA heartland of Shropshire - only 13 miles from the AGA factory at Ketley, to visit Poplar Cottage Farm, the home of Phil & Mel Rowley. This is also the home of Billyvoddan, winner of the AGA Ladies Open Point-to-Point Championship final at Cheltenham in May, and I wanted to see for myself how preparations were coming along ahead of his intended comeback at Chaddesley Corbett on 27th December.

 

On hand to partner Billyvoddan was his regular pilot, Jane Williams, who is chomping at the bit to be the lady rider that is in "Total Control" during the new season, and she has her sights firmly set on winning the inaugural "AGA Total Control Ladies Championship". If she does win the Championship then she will be the proud owner of a brand new AGA Total Control Cooker!

 

I was certainly made to feel very welcome by Phil and his wife Mel - who is a top class Dressage rider and has competed to Grand Prix level, and we were accompanied throughout by their second child Edward (who slept peacefully in his car seat for the majority of the visit). Phil& Mel arranged for me to have "access all areas" so I was able to take photos of Billyvoddan in his box, on the horse walker, in the brook, on the schooling ground and working on the gallops, and as you can see from the photographs he is well on his way to full fitness.

 All eyes on us - Jane and Billy 

As well as Billyvoddan I was also able to observe and photograph many of Phil's other inmates, including some of the quality youngsters that are being educated at Poplar Cottage Farm before being returned to their licensed handlers. All of the facilities at the yard have been authorised by Phil and Mel, who provided their fair share of the labour involved. They include a five-furlong woodchip gallop, with the route home giving the horses the opportunity to cool off in a belly-deep water splash, and a large outdoor arena with plenty of space for the erection of fences.

That was the season that was ... AGA style! Part 1

As the countdown continues towards the start of the new season a thought occured to me, why not pen a review of the 2011/12 AGA Ladies Open Series. It presents a good opportunity to set the scene for what I am sure is going to be another exciting series, and also gives me a chance to post some more of Beazo's superb photos.

The AGA Series and the inaugural AGA Total Control Lady Riders' Championship reached a thrilling climax at Cheltenham in May, but during the preceeding five months there were lots of memorable moments and great performances in the saddle. The story is told with more pictures than words and what better place to start than the first AGA qualifier on the opening day of the season at Cottenham ...

Cottenham - Cambridge University United Hunts Club

The Championship was up and running and Rachel King bagged the first 10 AGA points with a win on Zanzibar Boy ... her first and only points of the season.

Barbury Castle - PPORC

Another title challenge was launched as Angela Rucker got off the mark on the classy Kicks For Free, prompting the first contender of the season for "most family members in the presentation photo".

The heat is on as our AGA lady riders head for the kitchen

Fresh from their season long battle on point-to-point courses around the UK, some of our leading AGA lady riders - plus a course secretary, are heading for the kitchen on Friday this week. Their culinary skills will be put to the test in an altogether different kind of battle when they descend on the Divertimenti Cookery School in Marylebone, where TV chef Rachel Green will be putting them through their paces in a fun filled session.

The AGA Champ!

The session has been arranged so that we can bring together the winners of our additional categories, plus our two new champions, for an end of season celebration. A delicious menu has been designed for this hands on session which will be more fun than challenging, but will certainly involve some trickier elements - such as making mayonnaise by hand.

Inaugural AGA Total Control Champion Claire Hart, her mum Helen, and Simon Hart (winner of
best secretary), with Power Shared following his win at Littlewindsor

AGA goes to Coward country, Skackleton, North Yorkshire

I recently paid a visit to the home of our new AGA Champions, Jacqueline Coward and Amicelli, as ever the welcome was as warm as the Yorkshire sunshine, here's the story in words and (lots of) pictures.

A visit to Yorkshire is always a pleasure - especially on a sunny day in May, and this one was no exception, even though I only managed to complete half of it. I made a rather woeful attempt to find the Mason yard - I have a map for next time, but fared rather better when it came to finding the Coward yard. 

L to R - "Cliff", Laertes, not sure and Chancery Lad
**thanks to Helen Schofield for help with names

"Franny" foreground, and Discussion Forum

Is that our AGA Champion? Sure is, and doesn't he know it!

I was anticipating a warm welcome from the Coward team and that is exactly what I got, although our reigning AGA Champion was confined to bed following a nasty bout of sickness ... mind you, she did manage to make it as far as the couch later in the morning!

AGA goes to Chaddesley Corbett for some bank holiday pointing action - and then throws a Jubilee party

The last AGA fixture was back in April, however, we are still going strong and today was our fourth visit of the season to Chaddesley Corbett - which is one of my favourite courses, for the Albrighton Woodland meeting. The sun was shining and the car park was looking healthy, with lots of picnics in evidence, reinforcing the widely held view that this is a real family day out - the message has to be come pointing!

Jane and Lorna have a natter in between races

As ever we took the opportunity to catch up with some of our AGA lady riders, plus many of our friends in the pointing community. The ladies national championship has seen Jane Williams and Jacqueline Coward pull clear of the field in recent weeks and their battle was set to continue with both in action today.

JC returns to the winners enclosure after her 3rd place on
Laertes in the PPORA Club Members race

There was a walkover for Jane in the first, and a 3rd place for JC on Laertes in the second, before Jane pulled further clear with a decisive win on Surenaga in the third, the ladies open - easing home by 25 lengths.

Still pointing - and keeping in touch with our AGA lady riders at Whitfield and Garthorpe

The AGA ladies open series may well have finished at Littlewindsor on April 22nd with our 28th AGA sponsored ladies open race, but we have still been pointing every weekend since, and keeping in touch with our AGA lady riders.

Grafton, Whitfield - A visit to Whitfield is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon and we headed to this popular venue for the second time in four weeks, and the third time this season. The Simpson sat nav was definitely on the blink for our previous visit, however, we arrived without incident this time around.

Hannah Watson and Mad Victor

A good ladies race will always be of interest to AGA Pointing, whether we are sponsoring or not, and we certainly got a good one today. It was won by Mad Victor, piloted by annah Watson, who beat Citizens Arrest and Bridget Andrews.

Bridget Andrews and Citizens Arrest

AGA Queen Claire Hart is excited about her new AGA Total Control cooker (and so is her mum)

A brand new AGA Total Control cooker in British Racing Green will soon be on the way to Chipping Camden to take pride of place in the kitchen of Helen Hart. All measured up and the order has been placed - it won't be long now!

AGA Project Sales Manager Richard Gillot was in Chipping Camden yesterday to measure up in preparation for the arrival of a brand new AGA Total Control cooker - which will also be fitted with the AGA iTotal Control app. The cooker is being installed in the home of Claire's mum, Helen, although we have it on good authority that Claire will probably be using it more than her mum!

Richard Gillot, Claire Hart and Helen Hart - note the strategically placed AGA picture

Our fantastic AGA Ladies Open Point-to-Point Championship Final video is now live

The AGA Ladies' Open Point-to-Point Championship reached a climax at Cheltenham on May 2nd as Jacqueline Coward won the final on Amicelli, beating last years champion duo Jane Williams and Billyvoddan in a thrilling finish. Here we take a look back at the evening in this short video. 

Thanks to our friends at Jamodo Media Ltd for making and producing this film.

The AGA series may be finished but AGA Pointing are still going strong

The girls are in top form as there are also wins for Ally Stirling and Chloe Boxall in the Worcestershire sunshine, with Sammy Drake and Emma Todd booting home winners up in Yorkshire.

Beautiful sunshine and blue sky - let's go pointing! Our last visit to Chaddesley Corbett back in April - one of our favourite courses - had seen us dash for the car mid-afternoon to grab our brollies, but we didn't need them today. The racegoers were out in force when we arrived around an hour before racing and the lorry parked was also filling up nicely, a good sign! 

A beaming Ally Stirling heads for the winners enclosure after her victory on Quatuor Collonges in the Restricted race

Claire "Minnie" Hart turns on her new AGA Total Control cooker at Cheltenham using the new AGA iTotal Control phone app

What do you do when you've just won a brand new AGA Total Control cooker?

I would imagine that the answer to that question is to cook something delicious on it, but first you need to turn it on! However, what happens if the cooker is 100 miles away? No problem, not if you have a smart phone complete with the new app which allows you to control your cooker from anywhere in the world!

Our new AGA Total Control Lady Riders' Champion Claire Hart was first in the queue to try out this amazing new app at Cheltenham on Wednesday 2nd May, following the AGA Ladies Open Point-to-Point Championship final ... we think she liked it!

AGA entertains in the rain at Mollington - prime spot for AGA at local track as the van is roughed off for the season and the new gazebo has its first run

Family and friends are entertained in the rain as Mrs S excels herself in her own version of the Great British Bake-off!

We knew that typical English Bank Holiday weather was on the menu, however, that did not deter us and we arrived in good spirits with the cars chock-a-block full of goodies, including some rather lovely home made sloe gin ... but more of that later.


Our spread - part 1

Mrs S had spent most of Sunday baking and was rather looking forward to showing off the results of this marathon session, although she declined to leave the car until the gazebo was up! We had a good turn-out from our local village, Cubbington, including a number of family members who were making their pointing debut ... would they like it?

L-R Bob Hope, Alison Dare, Wayne Perkins, Alex Hope, Harry Easterlow, Carol Hope, Cindy Simpson, Claire Hart and Helen Hart

We were joined by some special guests, our new AGA Total Control Lady Riders' Champion - Claire Hart, her mum Helen, along with Bob and Carol Hope, Alex "foxy" Hope and Alison Dare (yes, that Alison Dare - 287 winners!). Great fun and great company, and as they pulled into the sponsors car park one of the officials shouted "oh, it's the AGA winner" - you're famous Harty!


Part 2 of the AGA title goes to Yorkshire and the AGA cooker goes to the South Midlands

AGA Championship final exceeds all expectations with a thrilling finish as the lady riders take centre stage at the home of jump racing!

Words by yours truly, with the mood of the evening captured via a series of marvellous photographs taken by our very own John "Beazo" Beasley, and Jackie Oliver - with a few from me thrown in for good measure! 

The culmination of five months of hard work, the big race - The moment we had all been waiting for had arrived, nine top quality horses, piloted by nine top lady riders were lined up to face the tapes at the home of jump racing - it doesn't get any better than this! 

Not only was there a prize fund of £7,500 at stake, but we had a "race within a race" to decide who would be the inaugural winner of the AGA Total Control Lady Riders' Championship. The winner of the championship was set to be the proud owner of a brand new AGA Total Control cooker worth more than £10,000 - what a prize, and as the tapes went up there were still 5 possible winners - Claire, Jane, Hannah, Jacqueline and Sam!

Pondering the challenge ahead - AGA girls Hannah Lewis (Rathcor), Charly Prichard (Prince Massini) and Sam Drake (Unowatimeen)

My pre-race tip was Upton Springs, although in truth I felt it was too close to call and the one certainty was that we would get a thriller! The following images by John and Jackie are fabulous and tell the story of the race better than any words I could use - I hope you like them.

A great shot of the whole field, L-R, Rathcor, Metal Detector, Prince Myfanwy (outside), Billyvoddan (stars on sleeves), Unowatimeen (striped cap), Prince Massini (rail), Amicelli (outside), Upton Springs (pale blue) and Impact Zone (green)

Part 1 of the AGA title goes to Yorkshire and the AGA cooker goes to the South Midland

AGA final exceeds all expectations with a thrilling finish as the lady riders take centre stage at the home of jump racing!

Words by yours truly, with the mood of the evening captured via a series of marvellous photographs taken by our very own John "Beazo" Beasley, and Jackie Oliver - with a few from me thrown in for good measure! 

AGA Pointing arrive early for the big day
Was I looking forward to this evening? The answer to that question is a resounding yes! After five months of hard graft the big day had arrived and I had three things on my wish list:


1 - All of our guests would have a night to remember
2 - The lady riders would savour every moment
3 - Our series would end on a high  


Arriving early was always going to be the plan so myself and Mrs S met up with Derek just after 1.30 with the car and van packed full of goodies for the AGA room. Driving straight in through the gates we parked up by the grandstand and took everything up to National Hunt Room 1 (our home for the evening). Well, that's what should have happened but we locked the vehicles and headed straight for the parade ring!

Beazo, Derek and Mrs S stride across the hallowed turf - 
before changing into their race day outfits

This was too good an opportunity to miss and having spotted the flowing locks of Beazo in the distance we hailed him and he joined us to take in the atmosphere. This was a day off for Derek and for the first time this season he did not have to erect the AGA branding, however, he was still casting a critical eye over the efforts of the RTA team! As we strode around the parade ring Derek was convinced that he had found the exact spot where Big Bucks had walked and he also reeled off the names of some of the greats who had graced this hallowed turf.

Looking good - the winners podium with lots of strategically placed AGA banners!

Mrs Kemp wins the last one before the AGA final - and Emily MacMahon also bags a win at Whitfield as our season ends on a high ... Cheltenham here we come!

Our 50th meeting of the season was something of a home game for us as we had the luxury of setting off after midday! The weather was rubbish (boy was it cold), and we ensured that the car was parked facing downhill as on our last visit to Whitfield we had needed the services of a local tractor driver and our tow rope made its seasonal debut!

This popular venue is one of my personal favourites and it was a pleasure to meet so many familiar faces who were genuinely delighted to see us. One such familiar face was a lady I have worked closely with since August of last year, Heather Kemp, and her ride in the ladies open - Gidam Gidam, was quietly fancied by one or two shrewd judges.  

A very happy Emily MacMahon and that fella from AGA

Twelve lady riders who have helped to make this first ever AGA Total Control Lady Riders' Championship so successful

**tip - click on any image to enlarge it

During the past five months I have been fortunate enough to really get to know our top lady riders. As part of the build-up to our final I have taken a more in depth look at the title contenders and some of the ladies who are just off the pace with a light-hearted feature that gives an insight into their lives.  This includes what they enjoy doing outside of racing - which invariably involves a party or two (when there is time of course), and what they do for a day job - which invariably involves horses! The thing they all have in common is that they are dedicated to the "job" and are passionate about it, they are also incredibly brave and funny. 

Twelve of the lady riders are featured below, including all seven who were featured in our Racing Post Weekender advertorial piece on the "title contenders", which is in this weeks paper - and can also be viewed on this blog. It was certainly fun putting this together and I would like to say a huge thank you to all of the ladies who gave up their time to help me it, I hope the end result meets with your approval!

The build up to the AGA Ladies Open Point-to-Point Championship final has well and truly begun as our Racing Post Weekender full page feature sets the pulse racing and brightens up this gloomy, wet Wednesday

If you pick up a copy of today's Racing Post Weekender you will find a fantastic piece of advertorial on page 35 where we have taken a look at the seven lady riders who are still in contention to win the fabulous AGA Total Control Cooker next Wednesday at Cheltenham. You also need to check out Carl Evan's Pointing Diary on page 40 as he has also written a piece which sets the scene nicely for our final.

Of course, I think everyone should drop what they are doing and rush out to buy a copy of the Weekender immediately ... now! It's a great piece, and really illustrates the excitement that is building ahead of our final. It's a great shame that we could not feature all of the wonderful lady riders who have competed in our races this season, however, our heartfelt thanks goes out to each and every one of them for their support. That also includes all owners, trainers, course officials and supporters, plus the bookies and the punters, who have helped to make our series such a success!

If you fancy a flutter on the outcome then Mark Hill bets as above, please feel free to give him a call on 07831 293363 to discuss your requirements!

What a finish to our season as a carefully planned AGA plot is pulled off in fine style!

A plot that was hatched a few weeks ago was pulled off in tremendous style on the last day of our season, leaving Claire Hart 4 points clear of Jane Williams as we head for our final at Cheltenham on May 2nd. We arrived at the course in good spirits after our 3 hour journey, during which it had suddenly dawned that middle-age was upon me - why you ask, because I spotted some old fashioned car sweets on a "buy one get one free" offer and steamed in to buy some!

Emily and Alskamatic (with ears pricked) lead the field on the 2nd circuit of the Open Maiden race

The main event for us is the AGA Ladies Open, however, we were particularly interested in the 3rd race - the Open Maiden, as our good friend Emily MacMahon was in the plate for a spin on Alskamatic. Emily hasn't picked up many rides in our series, which is a real shame, but it was good to see her in action here, and the look on her face as she returned to the paddock told it's own story - see pic below.

A delighted Emily MacMahon returns to the paddock following her ride in the Maiden on Alskamatic

Debrief from the owners

Claire Hart and Lady Myfanwy romp to an AGA win for the second Saturday running as Chaddesley steps up to the mark once again - and Claire gives another interview!

Claire Hart joined Jane Williams once again at the top of the AGA Total Control Lady Riders' Championship table, and on the Saturday of the final weekend of Cheltenham qualifiers they were locked together on 46 points.

William gives the girls (Alex and Jacqueline) a pep talk 

That's not the end of the story as there are at least seven top lady riders within striking distance, and all have a tremendous chance of winning the brand new AGA Total Control cooker. Add to the equation the fact that 130+ horses have qualified for our final at Cheltenham and we really are in for a cracking evening on May 2nd as our series reaches a crescendo!

Our defending champ

Here come the girls

Beazo is like the pied piper