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.
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| A very happy Emily MacMahon and that fella from AGA |
The ladies open was the last chance for the girls to earn some points before Cheltenham, and a win for Sarah-Jayne Davies would have given her 6 points and put her in the frame to win the new AGA Total Control cooker. Gina Andrews also had a ride in the ladies and a win or second place would increase her points tally going into Cheltenham, however, she did not have a ride lined up for the big one which was a shame as she was another who was still in with a chance of bagging the big one!
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| Gidam Gidam |
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| "Don't forget to ask about the fleece ..." |
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| "This lady would like an AGA fleece please" |
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| "I think he might let me have a polo shirt as well!" |
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| Who's that on the end? |
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| I think that bucket of water was meant for me! |
It was a cracker of a race which was won by Heather Kemp who came clear after the last to beat Gina Andrews on Superior Wisdom by 6 lengths. The 6 points were immaterial to Heather but the win was priceless in her battle with Claire Hart to be the leading lady rider in the South Midlands Area. Heather now leads Claire by 17 points to 14 and she was understandably delighted with the win, as you can see from the photographs!
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| He needed that, but believe me it was cold! |
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| "Where's Tony gone?" |
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| He's back ... |
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| One white AGA envelope for Mrs Kemp ... |
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| ... which contains £125 of AGA vouchers |
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| Jackie Oliver is cracking the jokes ... |
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... eyes front Heather ... Tony just about gets into the
photograph! |
Heather was a fitting winner of the 50th race in the AGA series and was warmly congratulated by the crowd ... she was also warmly insulted by some members of the crowd. Although I can report that this was just good natured banter and Mrs Kemp warmly returned the insults!
Me & Mrs S, and all of the AGA boys have got to know Emily MacMahon very well during the past 5 months and we were all delighted to see her boot home a winner in the Restricted Race, and as you can see from the photos Emily was rather pleased as well! The race was a good 'un and a driving finish saw a dead heat called, however, an objection by the connections of Tallow Fair was upheld and Emily had the race!
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| A very happy Emily MacMahon and Tallow Fair - WINNERS! |
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| Winner! |
Here's a few more photos of Emily following her win on Tallow Fair ... she was rather pleased!
