Pastures new for one of our AGA Pointing boys as Chris takes on a new challenge

If you have been to an AGA qualifier during the past two years you will most probably have met Chris. Cheeky grin, Barbour cap perched on his head at a jaunty angle and looks a bit like he could be in a boy band! Well, after nearly 4 years with AGA he has found a new challenge and I thought it would be nice to take a look back at his "pointing career" in words and pictures.

This one is from Dalton Park and was taken towards the end of our first season as national sponsor in 2011 ... what's in the box Chris?

The final of our series took place at Cheltenham in May and as you can see Chris put a lot of work into his new hair style which he had specially designed just for the occasion, Isabel Tompsett was suitably impressed!

The boys have just had a bet ... not on the winner of the AGA final, but on whether Chris will have changed his hairstyle by the start of the new season, odds on I would imagine!

With the new hairstyle safely under wraps, Chris and Derek get serious with the drill at the start of our second season.

They say a picture paints a thousand words, and this one - which was taken at Howick earlier this year, certainly does that. Chris is quite innocently surveying the buffet in the hospitality marquee, there is no truth whatsoever in the rumour that there is a full length mirror just out of shot!

This one made it into the end of season review and as you can see Chris and Derek take their form study very seriously ... and there is no truth in the rumour that Chris has concealed a mirror in his race card!

It wasn't just about the pointing last season and Chris was lucky enough to get to visit Seven Barrows in Lambourn (home of top NH trainer Nicky Henderson), the week before the Cheltenham Festival. Not only did he get to see all seven of Nicky's Festival winners, but he also met the previous seasons Gold Cup winner - Long Run (aka Lenny).

No, I'm not about to do another 'mirror' joke, Chris is pictured back at Dalton Park earlier this year on a beautiful spring day enjoying some Yorkshire sunshine ... and pondering his next hairstyle!

Chris and Derek had this photo taken with winning rider - and now top conditional jockey, Sammy Drake, although I am yet to work out what Chris is doing with his right hand.

Sam's mam Janet brought the trophy along for a photo opportunity, which Chris loved because he could see his reflection in it ... I said no more mirror jokes!

Chris gives Beazo some pre-interview advice at Horseheath while Bridget Andrews waits patiently for the camera to start rolling, knowing that once the interview is finished she can have her photo taken with Derek and Chris.

A rose between two thorns - Derek has adopted the 'cap at a jaunty angle look', Bridget has her vouchers, and Chris is thinking "surely he can't get a mirror joke out of this one"!

This was the best place to get a signal on Grand National day in Ystradowen ... especially if you wanted to place a bet on your phone!

Chris can always say that he was in the 'most prizes ever in a presentation photo' photo! Our future AGA Champion can always say that she was in a presentation photo with Chris Lincoln!

The penultimate AGA Ladies Open at Chaddesley Corbett and our soon to be AGA Total Control Champion poses for a pic with the boys following her interview with Beazo.

Back at Cheltenham for the second year running and this time the blonde highlights are nowhere to be seen ... following a good talking to from Derek! AGA final winner Jacqueline Coward enjoys a well earned pint while Emily MacMahon (red jacket) looks on.

You can't win a brand new AGA Total Control cooker without throwing an AGA party ... so our champ Claire Hart did just that - although she was unavailable for this photo, fellow AGA finalist Hannah Lewis was available and she posed for a pic with a very relaxed Chris and Derek.

Our AGA Total Control Champion was unavailable for this photo, however, our AGA Series Champion - Jacqueline Coward was joined by boyfriend Charles, Hannah Lewis and Emily MacMahon ... and there wasn't a mirror in sight!

Back at Cottenham for his last ever point-to-point as a member of the AGA pointing team and Chris decides to practice for his new challenge as a lollypop man ...

... or is it as an ice cream man?

Neither, and I'm sure that Chris will be laughing as he reads this, or should that be 'Kris' - did you know he likes to spell his name with a 'K'? Did you also know that Chris with a K likes the shorter days because he can see his reflection in the office windows?

It's been a pleasure Chris and you will be missed, good luck and feel free to come pointing any time you like, you'll always be welcome!