Thrilling AGA final cooks up a treat as two new champions are crowned on a fabulous night at Stratford

We had a new date and a new venue for our final this year - Friday 7th June at Stratford-on-Avon racecourse, and our build up started earlier in the week when we visited the Racecourse on Wednesday evening. We walked the course with four of our AGA finalists - all in contention for the AGA Championship, and took delivery of an AGA cooker, which was delivered by non other than our very own 'man with the van', Derek Martin!

The big day duly arrived, the weather was kind and the atmosphere was electric, but the AGA man was nervous ... we had a huge pavilion to fill! My plan to invite all 350 people who attended the PPORA lunch earlier in the afternoon (in addition to the 250 already invited) was soon scuppered - the capacity in the AGA pavilion was 250, so another 350 would have been stretching things!

A good sized crowd was streaming into the course, although I was snapped heading in the opposite direction (above). Not sure where I was going, maybe I had spotted the ice cream man!

Bubbly Jo Mason claims 10 AGA points for Yorkshire with a sparkling performance at Tabley

I was really looking forward to our visit to Tabley and I wasn't disappointed. Sometimes you get a really good feeling about a fixture and you just know that you're going to have a good day, although it doesn't always go to plan. However, today it did, and when I saw the Mason lorry I knew we were in for some fun ... and lots of talking (yes, somebody who talks more than me!).

Mrs S put on another good spread, although the Mason girls left the Pimms alone until after racing, while Beazo tucked into a slice of cake a little earlier in the afternoon than usual!

The other important member of the Mason team (Laura Clark) was soon in action, and as ever she was sporting her pink AGA polo, and a lovely smile.

Mrs S and the Mason family have just spotted the AGA man pointing a camera in their direction ... wonder what they are thinking?

AGA ladies rise to the occasion as Team GB are triumphant in inaugural International point-to-point meeting in Ireland

We came, we saw, we conquered, but there was more to it than just the winning, much more! On paper the Tattersalls Ireland International point-to-point looked a great idea, and when Richard Pugh - known as "Mr Point-to-Point" in Ireland, mentioned it last September it looked like it could be a perfect fit, especially when you consider what AGA do in the UK with our sponsorship of the Ladies Open Point-to-Point series. Sponsoring a point-to-point race in Ireland contested by a team of lady riders from the UK was too good an opportunity to miss, and when the Point-to-Point Authority also threw their weight behind the idea it was game on!

The first photo is a little out of sequence as it was taken at the end of the second day, however, there's a very good reason for using it as without the three people above we would not have been in Ireland. They are L-R Neil Walsh (Head of Bloodstock, Tattersalls Ireland), Niamh Flynn (Marketing & Promotions Co-ordinator, Tattersalls Ireland) and Richard Pugh (Mr Point-to-Point, p2p.ie). Quite simply they are three of the nicest people that I have ever met and I can't thank them enough for so many things. Starting with the engagement via social media to promote the event during the build-up, the incredibly warm welcome from the moment we stepped off the plane, and ending with the terrific hospitality that was afforded to every member of the UK contingent ... I was even allowed to keep the flags!

The day was all about an 'International challenge' so we came prepared with a selection of Union flags - just in case they were needed, and I'm certain that I saw some Irish tricolour's under the table in the declaration tent! My flags were ironed in the room (although obviously not the one in the photo) and we left for the course at 11am - four hours before the first race. We wanted to get there early so we could walk the course and take some photos, and Team GB - both boys and girls, also wanted to sample the gourmet burgers. With that in mind an orderly (seated) queue was duly formed.

Team GB tucked in en masse but they would not have won a burger eating contest, although it was hilarious to watch as the girls and boys both battled the wind. The award for 'most style eating a burger' was given to reigning AGA series champion Jacqueline Coward, with Jane Williams a close second!

Bank holiday bonanza for AGA as the crowds come out in force for a very unique point-to-point meeting at Peper Harow

The M25 on a Bank Holiday weekend is no fun whatsoever, and I can tell you that I was bored stiff as I sat on this four lane car park for what seemed like hours. Was it worth it? Yes it was! I had been told that I would find Peper Harow unique, I did and I also liked it - a lot!

Beazo was on course long before the AGA man today and he must have been missing me as he rang me to find out where I was! I arrived just as the heavens opened and sensibly stayed put in the car until the rain had eased off. The sun was soon out but I was thankful that I had made a last minute decision to pop my wellies into the boot.

Two of the lady riders in our race had their eye on the 10 points for our championship, Gina Andrews (pictured above right), and Hannah Lewis, both very keen to get over the 30 point mark before Stratford. Seven lined up with Extra Bold (Rilly Goschen) sent off the 5/2 favourite.

Ladies Championship is reaching an exciting climax ahead of our grand finale at Stratford as AGA go sponsorship crazy with Irish Pointing and Pony Racing Finals next on the agenda

I love point-to-point racing, but you probably already know that! I'm also really excited about the next four weeks, because not only will they be action packed and exciting, but they will also potentially define our season. First on the agenda we have five AGA qualifiers, plus three additional point scoring races (introduced to replace the 3 qualifiers we have lost), so that's a whopping 176 points still up for grabs ... including the 10 in the photo below!

It's also worth remembering that nobody can score more than 50 points as only the best five scores will count, plus there are double points available in the final. What does this mean? Well, if you get to Stratford with 30 or more points then you're definitely in the game, so you will see that there are still lots of lady riders in the running to win a brand new AGA cooker! Who's your money on?

Next on the agenda is a trip across the water for the Tattersalls International Point-to-Point Festival on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th May. AGA are sponsoring the AGA 6-Y-O & upwards Mares 'Claiming' Maiden (Lady Riders), which will see a team of 4 top UK lady riders take on 4 lady riders from Ireland. A strong team has been selected by the Point-to-Point Authority and they will all be familiar names to anyone who follows the AGA series.

L-R former National Champion Gina Andrews (equal 4th in the AGA table) will be on the plane, Yorkshire is represented by Jacqueline Coward - the current leader in the Lady Riders National Championship (she is also the reigning AGA series champion). The reigning AGA Total Control champion Claire Hart is rather excited to be going, as is the reigning National Champion Jane Williams, and rumour has it that all four of them are looking forward to the party on the Friday evening! (which is also being sponsored by AGA).

National Champion Jane Williams moves to the top of the AGA table with a stylish win on Shernally at Woodford

The top of the AGA table had a familiar look to it after the Berkeley meeting at Woodford as National Champion Jane Williams moved into a four point lead with a very stylish win on that tough little mare Shernally. Jane is a great role model, and there may well have been a future National Champion on show earlier in the day as the action kicked off with some exciting pony racing which helped to get us in the mood for the main event - although the start was somewhat chaotic (which was no fault of the young riders).

AGA Rangemaster CEO William McGrath has a pony (pictured above), which is ridden by his 10 year old great nephew Liam Harrison. Young Liam rode a great race to finish second on 'Meg', although the he came crashing down to earth with a bump the following day as he broke his wrist when he fell off his bike, and he is now sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Four good 'uns lined up for our race and after taking a few snaps in the paddock I made my way to the bookies to donate some money to the Mike Smith summer holiday fund (not for the first time this season).

Sunshine, point-to-point and competitive racing - a perfect weekend for AGA (apart from the missing trophy!)

Saturday - Coats and jackets were banished (well, left in the car) as we enjoyed Chaddesley Corbett in the sunshine today. It was a 'home game' for us with a journey time of less than an hour - easy, although Derek insisted on being on site by 9.30 so that he could bag a prime spot for AGA!

Juliet Minton (above left) was confident that AGA legend Billyvoddan would relish a bit of sun on his back - the AGA man was certainly all the better for it, although maybe feeling a bit lost without cap, coat and wellies! Charlotte Keel and AGA CEO William McGrath enjoyed their yearly catch up - the first one was in 2010, and as ever Beazo was there to capture the moment.

Christopher Marriot was also enjoying the warm spring sunshine, what a difference a week makes as he had to put up with rain, wind and lots of mud the previous weekend at Mollington for the Heythrop meeting.

Marie Hill from AGA HQ in Telford was enjoying a first ever visit to a point-to-point meeting with her family - she picked a good one to start with, and I have a feeling she'll be back for more soon!

Triple header provides a test for the AGA boys as we visit three point-to-point courses in one day

With two fixtures planned for Saturday 13th April (Heythrop at Mollington & Ystrad Taf Fechan at Ystradowen), the rescheduling of the Hampshire at Hackwood Park presented us with a challenge - three courses to visit in one day! Following the news that the 7am inspection at Hackwood Park was inconclusive, with a further inspection called for midday, the AGA man and Derek set off for Mollington at 8am in bright sunshine to put the AGA tent up, while Mark headed off for Wales.

The AGA tent in bright sunshine, but we had all seen the weather forecast so we knew that a mixture of wind and rain would be with us by early afternoon - which was to turn Mollington into a mudbath! Due to the second inspection at Hackwood Park we decided that the best plan of action would be for Derek to leave once the result of the inspection was known, not really ideal, but a wise decision given the circumstances!

Above: PPA board member and owner of Topless, Steven Astaire is posing with the AGA man, while in the second pic the grey Topless (Clare Wills) leads Horsham Lad (Phine Banks - blue), Prince Massini (Charly Prichard - yellow/black) & Officier De Reserve (Gina Andrews), in the third pic Phine leads from Quatrocento (Claire Hart) & Prince Massini.

Jane Williams strikes at Paxford as the cold weather continues to be a feature of our AGA point-to-point season

The North Cotswold meeting was a late addition to our list of AGA qualifiers this season so myself, Derek and Dan made the short trip down the Fosse Way, while Mark made the marathon trek down the M5 to the Four Burrow meeting at Trebudannon. The two meetings could only muster seven runners between them, but as I'm writing this three weeks after the event I'm pleased to report that things have improved a bit during the past two weeks (apart from a two runner race at Hackwood Park).

A new career as a bookie is definitely not on the cards for the AGA man, Mark Hill was happy to loan me his joint for a photo, but declined the opportunity to loan me a float for the day!

There was a definite Stratford connection today as Ilona Barnett was on stewarding duties in the paddock, Stratford MD Stephen Lambert was enjoying a day out with his wife, and trainer Jelly O'Brien was saddling a runner in our race (she won the Horse & Hound Cup at Stratford in 2001 with Look In The Mirror). All three grabbed the AGA man as soon as they saw Beazo and insisted that they have a photo with me ... or was it the other way around?

Shernally, Horsham Lad and Light Touch were in the paddock long before their respective jockeys, who sheltered from the biting wind for as long as possible before emerging to brave the elements ... did I mention that it was cold? Cold doesn't do it justice, think of all of the words that I have used in previous blogs - Baltic, Siberian, Bleak, Raw, well it was all of them, and Mrs S spent most of the day in the car!

Updated AGA Ladies Open Point-to-Point Series fixture list

With all of the postponed and abandoned fixtures in recent months I have not issued an updated AGA fixture list for quite some time. Hopefully things will settle down now so I am feeling fairly confident that there will not be any more changes to our list - although we may add one more qualifier.

Sun 25 November 2012 - EA, Cambridge University United Hunts Club, Cottenham

Sun 09 December 2012 - SM, Point-to-Point Owners & Riders Club, Barbury Castle

Fri 28 December 2012 - WM, Harkaway, Chaddesley Corbett

Sun 06 January 2013 - W, Larkhill Racing Club, Larkhill

Sun 13 January 2013 - Y, Yorkshire Area Point-to-Point Club, Sheriff Hutton

Sun 03 February 2013 - D&C, Mid Devon, Black Forest Lodge

Sun 10 February 2013 - N, Dumfriesshire, Overton

Sun 17 February 2013 - MID, Midlands Area Club, Thorpe Lodge

Sun 24 February 2013 - SE, South East Hunts Club, Charing

Sun 03 March 2013 - MID, Cottesmore, Garthorpe

Sat 09 March 2013 - MID, Brocklesby, Brocklesby

Sun 10 March 2013 - WBC, North Hereford, Whitwick

Sun 10 March 2013 - Y, Derwent, Charm Park

Sun 24 March 2013 - W, Mendip Farmers, Ston Easton

Mon (Easter) 01 April 2013 - D&C, Four Burrow, Trebudannon

Mon (Easter) 01 April 2013 - WM, North Cotswold, Paxford

Sat 06 April 2013 WBC United Brampton Bryan

Sun 07 April 2013 - WW - West Wales Area Club, Lydstep

Sat 13 April 2013 - SM, Heythrop, Mollington

Sat 13 April 2013 - SW&M, Ystrad Taf Fechan, Ystradowen

Sat 13 April 2013 - SAND, Hampshire, Hackwood Park

Sat 20 April 2013 - WM, Worcestershire, Chaddesley Corbett

Sun 21 April 2013 - W, Seavington, Littlewindsor

Sat 27 April 2013 - WM, Berkeley, Woodford

Sat 04 May 2013 - SE, Surrey Union, Peper Harrow

Mon (BH) 06 May 2013 - NW, North Shropshire, Eyton-on-Severn

Sat 11 May 2013 - SM, Kimblewick, Kingston Blount

Sat 18 May 2013 - Y, South Durham, Mordon

Sun 19 May 2013 - NW, North West Point-to-Point, Tabley

Mon (BH) 27 May 2013 - D&C, South Tetcott, Upcott Cross

Mon (BH) 27 May 2013 - WW, Pembrokeshire, Trecoed

Sun 02 June 2013 - Meynell & South Staffordshire, Garthorpe - "The Little Cookers of the Future" Point-to-Point Pony Racing Finals - sponsored by AGA

And the big one ...

Fri 07 June 2013 - The AGA Ladies Open Point-to-Point Championship Final (A Hunters' Steeple Chase For Lady Riders), Stratford-on-Avon

Marathon weekend for the AGA man, Derek and Beazo as we rack up the miles in pursuit of AGA sales and exciting racing

I will write a book one day but for now I will continue to use my blog to share our point-to-point exploits, starting with an update about our long and very enjoyable weekend. It started with a trip to Welsh Border country for the rearranged United Pack fixture at Brampton Bryan, and finished in Pembrokeshire for the West Wales Area Club meeting at Lydstep. We travelled light as an overnight stay was required, although I did find room for my riding helmet ... but more of that later.

We arrived at the course with the Beazmobile hot on our tail, although we were running a little late due to a pit stop in Ludlow en route. Not for breakfast as you might think, but so we could visit a friendly bookmaker and place a bet on the Grand National! Not for the first time this season Beazo offered to help put the AGA signs up while I took the pictures - little did we know that some of them would be taken down within half an hour!

The Baltic temperatures and bitingly cold winds of recent weeks have tested everyones patience and I think it's fair to say that with a bit of sun on our backs we all felt a whole lot better. Add in the magnificent setting - probably one of the most picturesque courses I have been to, and you just knew we were going to have a great day!

We didn't expect to see Adrian Wintle and Hannah Lewis as we thought they were Ascot bound the following day with Squadron, but it was certainly a pleasant surprise when we did spot them coming out of the declarations tent! With National Champion Jane Williams and The General Lee also lining up, along with promising young novice Annie Dalton and Glidewell we knew we were in for an exciting race.

Exciting AGA Ladies race at Ston Easton leaves us dreaming of grabbing the headlines ... but instead we are left nonplussed

Our race at the Mendip Farmers meeting at Ston Easton had it all, it was one of the most exciting I have seen, and barring last years final at Cheltenham I don't think I've seen a more exciting finish in an AGA race (more of that shortly). On a bitterly cold day - I used the word 'Siberia' on more than one occasion during the afternoon, this thrilling race was just what we needed to warm us up.

This was the scene when we left Cubbington for our two hour drive to Ston Easton, and while I had assured Mrs S that there would not be any snow at all on the course, I neglected to mention how cold it would be (as a result of which I would later be called a 'con artist').

Mrs S - purple hood, only got out of the car twice, and this was the first time, while Derek and Dan look as if they would be much happier if they were sat in front of a nice warm AGA at home! The AGA Ladies Open was the 3rd race on the card, and with five declared Beazo grabbed a couple of pics of the AGA man in the paddock with the two lady riders who would shortly be the cause of much drama and excitement (Emily MacMahon and Lucy Gould).

In anticipation of a close finish we decided to watch the race stood by the winning post, this proved to be a very wise decision - as you can see from the following photographs, all taken by master point-to-point photographer John Beasley.

Baltic appears in a point-to-point blog title for the second time this season as AGA brave the elements at Whitwick Manor

Sunday 10th March - I had a call from our CEO William McGrath while I was driving to Whitwick Manor and he asked me what would be the best way to avoid getting stuck in the mud, my advice was to park a mile away and walk to the course, and he did just that! I didn't take my own advice and I almost regretted that a few hours later, but by then I was so cold that I didn't really care.

I walked the course with Hannah Lewis and her husband Adrian Wintle, and according to Derek I was 'blowing a bit' when I returned, while Beazo thought it would be a good idea to take a photo of the AGA man striding out. The AGA tent was left behind today as it was still soaking from the previous days trip to Brocklesby Park (and also covered in mud). Mrs S was also absent, reported to be needing a day of 'box rest' having not eaten up!

This conversation was about how to power your AGA without using fossil fuels, cow dung was one of the suggestions, along with many other fuel types. Beazo looks perished and in need of a cup of tea!

'Baltic' is mentioned in the title of this blog, and the sparse crowd reflected this with a fair few choosing not to leave the warmth of their cars. It may have been baltic, but that cannot be said about the welcome that we received from everyone at Whitwick, which was every bit as warm as we have come to expect.

The second part of our point-to-point triple header is in Yorkshire where we had sunshine and snow, but no AGA man!

Sunday 10th March - with Cheltenham looming on the horizon we had two AGA qualifiers today, one in Yorkshire and one in Herefordshire. Now I like to think I'm pretty resourceful but I have not yet figured out a way to be in two places at once! That's a real shame as I love a trip to Yorkshire because they just love AGA Pointing up there. Instead I headed for Whitwick Manor while the Country Warmth team from Malton headed for the Derwent meeting at Charm Park.

As ever the Yorkshire girls were up for a pre-race photo and they lined up for John Grossick behind a strategically placed Country Warmth AGA banner - L-R Jacqueline Coward, Freya Brewer, Luci Sutcliffe, Harriet Bethell, Jo Mason, Abbie Nelson, Annie Yeager, Alice Petch & Jessica Gillam.

It was great to see nine go to post and it wasn't long before the texts started to come through reminding me that Yorkshire had stepped up to the mark. In this fantastic photo by John Grossick you can see four horses jumping line abreast on the final circuit (the first four home). L-R jumping are Oaklands Robbie & Alice Petch, the grey Green Du Ciel & Jo Mason, Optimistic Harry & Jessica Gillam and Minstalad & Luci Sutcliffe.

Minstalad and Optimistic Harry (white) took the last together with Jessica Gillam driving out the 14 year old to record a 3/4 length victory over Minstalad and Luci Sutcliffe - it was also a third AGA Ladies win for Optimistic Harry.

Point-to-point at Brocklesby Park in the rain and mud for the first leg of an AGA triple header

Saturday 9th March, Brocklesby Park - we had a passenger today for our journey up the M1, our AGA Total Control Champion Claire Hart, who was heading north to be re-united with one of her favourite horses - Palypso De Creek. It was raining when we set off, it rained and snowed all of the way there, and it was raining when we arrived, it was also cold ... very cold!

The car made it in through the mud - but only just, and we were greeted by the sight of  Beazo directing operations again (that's not in his contract!). This in turn provided another photo opportunity for the AGA man - not for the first time this season!

Mrs S decided to stay in the car until the tent was up so I walked the course with Claire, it was a bit soggy but the fences looked immaculate. The AGA boys were also a bit soggy - but in great spirits, while Racing Post reporter Jeremy Grayson was also a bit soggy, in fact I don't think his racecard survived the day!

The next two photos don't really need any words to accompany them, the first features the declarations board (we are race number 3), and the second one features a rather glum looking bookie before the AGA Ladies Open.

Jane Williams bags her first 10 Championship points in an incident packed AGA Ladies Open point-to-point race at Garthorpe

Garthorpe is a home game for us as it is only just over an hour away, this ensured that we had a full car, made up of family members, plus a dog! However, the search for an AGA Pointing dog goes on as this one was only borrowed for the day, although she (Pixie) managed to star in quite a few of our photographs, and she also thoroughly enjoyed her first visit to a point-to-point meeting, which started with a walk around the course.

When you walk the course with a photographer you know that there will be some decent photo opportunities, and Beazo didn't let us down! He has previous form with 'fence shots', having taken a few pics of Claire Hart at Chaddesley Corbett last season, which have never seen the light of day - sorry Claire, I've mentioned 'those pics' so I will have to publish at least one of them!

We took the first three fences at a reasonable pace, which steadied as we took a pull out in the country, where Sam Davies-Thomas and Johnny Bailey threw down their challenge - with Mrs S looking as if she would be pulled up at this stage. We made ground on the top bend and free wheeled down the hill, then Sam and Johnny kicked on up the home straight and we finished tailed off!

In the photo above Marcus and Pixie hold a narrow lead and AGA man has just pulled his stick through to his right hand as he goes for a gap between Wayne (far side) and Karen, with Mrs S showing signs that she needed the run!

Baltic weather for AGA as our point-to-point series visits the south-east, but Charing turn up the heat!

Did you notice my new word in the title? It's 'baltic', and it follows swiftly on the heels of the words 'raw' and 'bleak' which I used after our visit to Overton two weeks ago. No matter, we still had a tremendous day and our first visit to the south-east area was a resounding success!

We were greeted by a smattering of snow as we drove onto the course, and then we spotted the familiar white hair of Beazo in the distance ... who once again helped Derek to put the signs up while I took the photos. Definitely something wrong there!

"AGA - A warm welcome home" proclaimed the sign by the open ditch, it would be a few hours before we would be warm, although the welcome on course was very warm - something we have come to expect.

Spring is in the air as the sun shines on the AGA point-to-point series at Thorpe Lodge

We are setting off in daylight for a point-to-point and Mrs S has even managed to strike up a conversation within the first five minutes! To put that in perspective, during January on a two hour journey to Larkhill in the dark and fog she only spoke for the first time when we were twenty minutes away from the course! Claire Hart called me as we hit the road today and she complained of not being able to see very well because of the fog, whereas I was scrabbling around for sunglasses!

It wasn't quite AGA polo shirt weather but just look at that blue sky! There are also three AGA boys in the photo above, except one of them isn't an AGA boy anymore. The odd one out is Chris, who has missed pointing so much since leaving in December that he asked if he could come along today - he just couldn't keep away!

The tent was soon up, and the fence, and the signs, and Mrs S was soon in full flow as Pauline Harkin, who trains Doctor Kingsley, popped over for a catch up.

The lorry park is always a good place to meet nice people and Sunday was no exception, pictured with the AGA man are Paul Berrington, left, trainer Heather Dalton - holding Minnie, centre, and Peter Clifton on the right. They resisted my overtures to buy a new AGA but I'm not giving up just yet ...