Dunthrop - a classy AGA winner as Upton Springs kicks on and is "In Total Control" (plus some top lady riders and yet more wind)

The day - an enjoyable day at Dunthrop saw a classy winner of the AGA Ladies Open race, and while his odds were nowhere near as generous as they were 12 months ago, Upton Springs put his rider firmly in the mix to win a brand new AGA Total Control cooker come the end of the season.

Lady riders, customers and dogs all rally to the cause!

AGA needs you - this is our second season as national sponsor and the support we receive from within the pointing community is crucial, none more so than from the lady riders themselves. I'm pleased to say that without exception everyone is rallying to the cause, and the enthusiasm of the ladies has been second to none, in or out of the saddle.

2 top lady riders (Camilla Henderson and Emily MacMahon)
 and 3 top AGA Pointing blokes (the normally camera shy 
Derek, Mark Kopite Taylor and me)

Visitors galore - we had many visitors to our van today and they included several leading lady riders; Emily MacMahon, Camilla Henderson, Heather Kemp, Claire Hart and of course Sarah-Jayne Davies all stopped by for a chat (or an interview). Emily and Camilla (who is the daughter of National Hunt trainer Nicky Henderson) were without a ride today but both still have their sights firmly set on winning a brand new AGA Total Control cooker. 

Upton Springs before ...

... and Upton Springs after

Win at all costs - the pair, who are great fun; were hatching a plot to add their points together to ensure they get their hands on the prize, and as they are "roomies" that might not be such a bad idea! (if it wasn't against the rules of course). 

Me "In Total Control" holding on to those
points 

Monday to Friday - when not riding during the week both are regular visitors to Oaksey House in Lambourn where they use the gym, and last week Emily called in to see our very own special correspondent, Isabel Tompsett. Camilla also uses the equicizer and has been receiving some expert tuition from former Seven Barrows stable jockey Mick Fitzgerald ... not a bad teacher!

Sarah-Jayne finally gets her clock ...

... and then an interview with Beazo!
Someone is distracting SJ ... guess who?

To run or not to run - Heather Kemp was due to ride Gidam Gidam in our race, and Caged Tiger in the restricted, both were raring to go but had to be withdrawn because of the drying ground. Heather was disappointed but having walked the course she decided to keep them both for another day, the good news is that they are both sound and could run next week.

I recognise that bloke with the microphone

Dedication - Claire Hart had to be one of the busiest jockeys of the day, having walked the course at Towcester she then jumped in the car and headed for Dunthrop. No time to pose in pink AGA polo shirts today as it was straight back to Towcester after our race to ride Palypso De Creek in the Hunter Chase at 4.15. The pair finished a very respectable 3rd in a hot race and Claire was delighted, she will now look for another ladies race - hopefully an AGA one.

DS meets JC, "I've got an AGA, in fact I've got loads"
 - no chance of selling Jezza a new one then!

All in a days work - the visitors kept coming, including a number of people who want to buy a new AGA; which is good news for us, and a winning owner who treated herself to a new pair of oven gloves. One rather familiar face who didn't visit the van was Jeremy Clarkson, but he was on good form and was more than happy to pose for a photograph with yours truly - a nice end to the day.