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).
The camaradarie between our AGA Ladies is tremendous, and their support for the series is second to none, however, I was having a bit of banter with some of the lads again today and I think they feel a bit left out (although Jack does have a pink AGA polo shirt!).
Joe was leading Promising Anshan up before our race but the riders from the Restricted had still not made it back to the paddock. Our (muddy) AGA Champion Jacqueline Coward was one of them, and she had a really good spin on Leedfka - definitely one to keep an eye on during the coming months.
Five horses were declared for our race - and it looked a hot contest, with the 1st and 2nd from Barbury Castle re-opposing, Promising Anshan (Gina Andrews) and Tallow Fair (Rachel King), along with soft ground lover Horsham Lad (Josephine Banks), Super Directa (Bridget Andrews - below) and Big Game Hunter (Rachel Leyshon).
Bloodstock agent David Minton (or Minty as he is widely known) was in good form in the paddock before our race, and gave me some good natured stick about our change of venue for the AGA final (also taking the opportunity to remind me of the Coward viewpoint).
Beazo was full of Christmas cheer and begged me to take his photo, so, despite him calling me an amateur I snapped him with Rachel King in the paddock before the AGA race.
Young Mr AGA was on duty behind the lens again today - he made his debut at the same meeting last season, and as usual he did a very good job, while also finding time to pose for a pic with his dad (we found some firm ground for this one).
The AGA race was a cracker - I know, another one! Horsham Lad led all the way and put in a beautiful round of jumping, and it was a pleasure to see a win for two people who have always supported the AGA Series, Josephine Banks and Jelly O'Brien.
There was a lot of hugging in the paddock - which 'Minty' found quite amusing, and young Mr AGA managed to capture some of it on film, he also bagged this nice shot of me and Jelly.
Muddy horses and riders provide some great photo opportunities, and there's also something about pointing in the mud - the word hardcore springs to mind! Christine Banks (Phine's mum), Phine and Jelly are pictured below unsaddling Horsham Lad, while below that we have a muddy Rachel Leyshon on Big Game Hunter, and an even muddier Rachel King on Tallow Fair.
Phine and Jelly were delighted ... and Horsham Lad seemed quite pleased as well! Lets hope we get a bit of cut in the ground at Stratford in June as this fella will love it there, although we may see him at the Heythrop meeting in April if it's still tipping it down!
Josephine finished last season with 14 points in the AGA Total Control Championship, all earned on the consistent Virginia Preuil, but this was her first 'perfect 10' and could be the springboard for her to launch a title challenge this season.
More mud above and below - I love muddy pics! Although the best mud was in the lorry park, which was where most of the tractors were employed ... more of that shortly.
I've just been sent another photo from a friend - Graham Fisher, and it shows Horsham Lad and Promising Anshan jumping the last together. I realise it's out of sequence with the rest of the blog but it was such a good finish that I'm going to slot it in here.
As well as mud we also love our strategically placed AGA signs and this season you will see lots that carry the message "start your AGA Home Business", this was described by one very intrigued AGA owner as "like pyramid selling, but classy".
One mission for this season - apart from selling loads of new AGA cookers, is to have lots of different people in the presentation photos, and I was joined today by AGA Cookshop Director Maureen Williams, who is a very keen rider herself.
It's amazing who you bump into at a point-to-point meeting and today was no exception as the Waley-Cohens - fresh from winning the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, were in attendance. They were casually chatting to another British sporting icon, Team GB Olympic equestrian eventing silver medallist Zara Philips, so I thought it would be a good idea to grab a photo.
Thankfully young Mr AGA was on hand to capture the moment, and Sam and Robert were in good spirits following their boxing day success, while Zara asked me for a new AGA!
National Champion Jane Williams was without a ride in the AGA race as Billyvoddan "would have hated the going", but she was in great spirits, although her dog was sulking a bit and looked like he would rather be relaxing by the family AGA.
We didn't have to look far to find some more mud and a few tractors, and I don't think anything left the lorry park without being towed to the exit. It doesn't take much for the AGA man to jump in front of a camera and the mud in the lorry park provided a suitable backdrop for another photo opportunity!
We joined winning trainer Jelly O'Brien in the lorry park for a celebratory drink, and her husband (top NH trainer) Fergal - who I have known for years, was on hand to pour the port, along with David Mason - owner of Dammam (2nd in the Mens Open), who like me hails from the north-east of England.
The tractors were working overtime and we would soon be needing one to get Derek and the AGA van safely on the road back to AGA HQ, however, before that we headed back to the course just in time to see AGA finalist Charlotte Prichard boot home Bringinthebranston in the concluding Maiden race.
Charlotte gave this horse a cracking ride and they recorded a 20 length victory at a juicy 6/1, although looking at the photo below, the Prichard washing machine is in for a busy weekend - brother David's breeches (3rd in the Restricted on Roseyroo) had already been handed over to be washed!
The word 'quagmire' was being used with increasing frequency and the winners enclosure was not a place to venture into without a pair of sturdy wellingtons ... or a horse.
Charly's dad Ian (centre above) was on hand for the presentation and I'm also reliably informed that he was looking forward to an arguement with the satnav on the journey back to Wales!
Great credit goes to everyone at the Harkaway Club who worked tirelessly to ensure racing could take place, and to EVERYONE who turned up on the day - especially the jockeys. I didn't see any miserable faces, just lots of smiles, and it was a pleasure to be a part of it. I feel it's only right to finish with some more mud, including this one of a dog who was treated to a wash in the horse bucket, and a pic of the smiling AGA man just after his return home ... at the earliest ever time from a point-to-point.
I've managed to wash the wellies but still haven't washed the car, or my trousers ... see you all at Larkhill!