David 'the AGA man' Simpson's Point-to-Point Racing Diary: The missing AGA blog from Yorkshire - Another great Yorkshire adventure and a well deserved win for Jo Mason

Saturday, April 21, 2012

The missing AGA blog from Yorkshire - Another great Yorkshire adventure and a well deserved win for Jo Mason

We were back in Yorkshire for an Easter weekend treat at Hornby Castle and as ever Michael and Sara from Country Warmth were on hand to record the days events for us. At long last I am pleased to say that the guest blog from Sara is ready ... here goes!

JO IS QUEEN OF THE CASTLE!

Guest blog by Sara Ashby-Arnold of Country Warmth

A big well done to Jo Mason, the winner of the AGA Ladies Open race at Hornby Castle.

The weather looked grim as we drove the show trailer through the deer park gates and on to the old turf surrounding Hornby Castle - the home of the Bedale hunt point-to-point. However, the grey skies did not put off the punters who turned out in force for this Easter Saturday meeting.

We nestled our show trailer next to the lovely people at Field House Saddlery on our left and I'Anson feeds on our right, both local businesses with strong connections to many of the Bedale field.

The show trailer - "Nestled"

By the time the first race started the weather had relented and we even had some sunshine, yes it was actually warm enough to crack open the rose wine ... although of course there were those individuals unable to share due to the rigours of lent! Even Charlotte the multi-skilled race announcer was unable to eat our special chocolate cake because chocolate was given up for lent. (Gosh did I feel an unholy person drinking wine and eating choccies).

Thankfully our super photographers had not availed themselves of any religious constraint and allowed us to ply them with cake and soup in liberal doses. Most necessary in Pam's case as her hands were so cold she could barely operate the shutter.

The big race of the day for us was of course the AGA ladies open. Jo Mason bagged a last minute ride on the striking grey Blandings Castle as original jockey Pippa Tutty is still recovering from her crashing fall at Wetherby.

With Jo's cousin Jackie Coward aboard the odds on favourite Jo had some big shoes to step in to. However, showing her spirit right from the start she led the field a merry dance all the way around. Jackie tried hard on the diminutive Narciso but couldn't quite match the stride of the big grey, and the scope of his bold jumping style so victory was Jo's and as she brightly said it was really a victory for Pippa too!

(**NOTE TO DAVID - JO SAYS ANY CHANCE WE CAN GET PIPPA AN AGA POLO SHIRT TO SPEED HER RECOVERY ... PERHAPS YOU CAN TWEET JO MASON ABOUT THIS?)

We thoroughly enjoyed our day and thanks must go to Hannah Bryce and the lovely Lupee the chihuahua, and David, Richard and Judy for coming along to support us and help on the stand. Hopefully most have them (and their livers) have dried out by now and we are all looking forward to seeing some of our ladies from Yorkshire line up at Cheltenham for the AGA final.

Here are some photos from the day, hope you like them!