On a hectic weekend we had five AGA or AGA-associated races take place, we saw three of the top five lady riders earn yet more points, plus we had seven new points scorers appear in the AGA table. The action kicked off on Saturday at Brocklesby Park with the South Wold meeting, which was also a qualifier for the AGA Hunter Chase final at Cheltenham, and a field of six went to post for the AGA Ladies Open.
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Derek caught on camera having a "sneaky one" while
setting up! |
We had a new addition to the AGA Pointing team here as we were joined by Sally White from the AGA shop in Lincoln. Sally was fantastic and we hope she will be joining us again very soon ... I have a feeling that she will be!
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| Derek marks Sally's card ... or is it the other way round? |
Billyvoddan looked a picture in the paddock before the race, and proved he is back to his best during the race with a 3 length win in a decent time. This extended Jane's lead at the top of the table, although as she has had more than five point scoring rides (eight in total), she now has to drop scores as only the best five point scoring rides count towards the Championship.
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Great photo of Billyvoddan with his groom who appears
to have an AGA sign for a head! |
The beautiful AGA Palladium clock was presented to Juliet Minton, owner of Billyvoddan, by Sally following the race, the second clock that Juliet has won this season - what are the odds on her bagging a third?
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| Juliet is thinking "where's the battery?" |
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| Jane is thinking "I want the big one" |
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I think someone is being distracted ... my money is on Derek being
the "distractor" |
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| Beazo now has Jane's full attention so the interview can begin |
As ever Jane was more than willing to visit the stand for a chat, both before and after the race, and she too was delighted that "Billy" was back on form, saying afterwards that she had had a "fab ride". I can also report that having prowled the paddock before the race seeking out each owner in turn, Derek was in profit as he decided to stick with the reigning AGA champion, despite being tempted by the Rucker horse - Nikos Extra.
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| Juliet Minton with Diana Williams (Jane's mum) |
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| Jane with her second "perfect 10" of the season |
The second AGA sponsored qualifier of the weekend was the South Herefordshire Hunt meeting which took place on Sunday at Garnons, and the appearance of the word "firm" in the going description prompted some early withdrawals. We only had a field of 4 for the AGA Ladies Open but that included two of last seasons finalists, Upton Springs (2nd) and Lady Myfanwy (6th).
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| Looking good - The AGA set-up with the Orangery in the background |
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| A contender for "most picturesque setting of the season" |
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| The van before the onslaught! |
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| Sarah-Jayne and "Spring" |
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Prince Massini - Charlotte Prichard (4) and Upton Springs - Sarah-Jayne Davies in the paddock before the race
Despite the small field we had a decent race with something of an upset as the 1/2 favourite- Lady Myfanwy was overturned by Shake The Bottle, in the process handing Rachel Leyshon her first points of the season. Another strongly fancied horse, and a contender for the final in May - Upton Springs, was pulled up and was found to be coughing after the race.
Our trophy presenter was not able to make it to the course but we had a very able deputy as one of the AGA Pointing team, Sarb, stepped in at the last minute, and I am pleased to say that he thoroughly enjoyed the experience!
We've covered the two AGA sponsored qualifiers without a single photo of me - which is highly unusual, although please don't think I had a weekend off, because I didn't! My venue of choice was Buckfastleigh (a first ever visit) for the Dart Vale and Haldon Harriers meeting, where I took in one of the 22 additional AGA-associated races that offer an opportunity to earn points towards the AGA Total Control Lady Riders' Championship.
I was joined by AGA Director Paul Jackson and his wife Elaine, and you can see Paul (wearing a trilby) in the photograph above queuing for the ice cream van!
The sun was shining and there was a decent sized crowd in attendance at this very picturesque former National Hunt course, and I must say the view of the action was superb from every angle.
Relieved of my normal race day duties I was able to watch every race, although I was still on hand to record the days events with my trusty camera, and you can see Paul's wife Elaine in the photo above trying to spot me in the crowd.
Mr and Mrs Jackson were spotted in "the jungle" (above) on a number of occasions seeking out the best odds!
Mrs AGA Pointing retired to the car just before the Ladies Open race, although not before giving me some very clear instructions, no, not to place a bet as you might think, but to get her an ice cream!
Cordelia Chugg earned her first AGA points of the season with a last gasp win on Karley, in the process also earning herself a tasty £125 in AGA Cook Shop vouchers, which were presented to her post race in the paddock by Paul Jackson (below).
Other AGA related races were held at Penshurst (Old Surrey, Burstow and West Kent) on Saturday, and Whitfield (Bicester with Whaddon Chase) on Sunday. The Whitfield race was particularly notable as it resulted in a first ever win for Sarah Rippon on 15 year old Metal Detector at a whopping 40/1, I hope you were on! The horse was led up by HRH Zara Philips, who as you can see from the image below was really enjoying the experience.
AGA Cook Shop vouchers were presented to the lady riders after the race by AGA Project Sales Manager Richard Gillott, who is pictured below with Sarah Rippon (£125) and several of the other ladies, including Hannah Lewis and Rachel King (£25).
The AGA related race at Penshurst saw yet another first time points scorer in Cynthia Haydon, who romped to an 8 length win on Little Legend, earning herself 6 points in the process. We are now at the business end of the season and my next update will look at the latest table and we'll try and predict where the points (and clocks) will be heading this weekend!
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