The AGA point-to-point series and Black Forest Lodge enjoy their first date as Devon & Cornwall area step up to the mark

We had three different plans for our first ever visit to Black Forest Lodge, all weather and ground dependant, and it was 'plan c' that won the day. That involved a rare trip for Derek in the passenger seat (how would he cope?), and my car being loaded with AGA banners and tools. We made good time down the M5 - despite the occasional loss of power from my 'AGAmobile', and we skidded into the course through the mud at around 10am, to be greeted by one of the warmest welcomes we've had so far ... and let me tell you we have had a few!

AGA sales are my priority, however, it was nice to see Beazo in selling mode so early in the day ... although I'm thinking that we should provide some AGA carrier bags for the hundreds of Big Green Annuals that he sells at every meeting!

Another Beazo photograph and I'm only two paragraphs in! John offered to carry Charlotte's saddle then promptly walked four yards and put it on the fence and insisted I take a photo - who's blog is this? The crowd started to head up the hill to watch the first while Charlotte set off for the changing tent ... carrying her own saddle!

There were six declared for our 6th AGA ladies open race of the season and I was fairly confident that the six would give us another competitive race. Two AGA finalists were in the line-up (Charlotte Prichard and Hannah Lewis), both with chances, and I had also spoken to another AGA finalist earlier - none other than AGA Total Control Champion Claire Hart, who had called me when we arrived at the course. Claire wanted to know how long it would take to get from Chipping Norton to Milborne St Andrew as she had just been offered a nice spare ride in the ladies - the AGA man doesn't half come in handy for all kinds of different things!

Yorkshire cracker as Sheriff Hutton hosts the return of our AGA point-to-point Champions

AGA Home Business is the theme for our point-to-point sponsorship this season so the award winning Carr House Farm bed and breakfast in Ampleforth was an obvious place to start the weekend. This 16th century farmhouse - which is surrounded by woodland, serves a delicious AGA cooked breakfast and has long been on my list as a potential Home Business partner.

Our friendly hosts were Anna Lupton and her husband Jack Peckitt - who is a former northern amateur point-to-point jockey, and is also officially recognised as a friendly face for North Yorkshire! The pair also breed Cuckavalda gun dogs - which will appeal to shooting enthusiasts, and you can even take a dog for a walk during your stay if you choose to enjoy some of North Yorkshire's most famous walks, which are on the doorstep.

The forecast snow didn't arrive, however, there was a nice crisp frost so we set off for Sheriff Hutton in good heart (about 30 minutes away), fortified by our AGA cooked breakfast. The Yorkshire sunshine was almost tropical and it soon had the frost out of the ground, so with the course looking in immaculate condition the action started early with a couple of pony races.

By the time the runners had entered the paddock for the Club Members race there was a healthy looking crowd in attendance, which included lots of familiar faces. There were also plenty of familiar faces in the paddock (Cowards and Masons among them), and it wasn't long before one of them - AGA Champion Jacqueline Coward, was back and heading for the winners enclosure!

Pre-race confidence proves to be well founded as Emily MacMahon wins a thrilling AGA Ladies Open on Master Medic at Larkhill

"Where's Larkhill" asked Mrs S last week, "Near Salisbury Plain and Stonehenge" was my response, "Sounds like the middle of nowhere and miles away" she replied! While it's not in the middle of nowhere, it would certainly mean an early start for us - and I chose to break that news to her gently at some point during Saturday afternoon. The first message arrived at 4.40am on Sunday, courtesy of AGA Total Control Champion Claire Hart, who was reminding me that another AGA race was on the horizon. There was also a subtle reminder that she would be feeding and mucking out eleven horses before I had even thought about getting up!

Nothing remarkable about the photos above you may think, other than the fog! It was foggy all the way there, and foggy when we arrived - very foggy! We couldn't see the course and racing was delayed by one hour in order to give the fog a chance to lift - the Met Office reports suggested it would, although it was touch and go for a while and racing was in doubt.

The car park continued to fill up and the fog slowly lifted to reveal a previously hidden racecourse ... and some horses! Great news for everyone, especially Jackie Oliver who had been amusing herself taking photos of me ... taking photos of her, and the then amusing her friends by showing them the snaps!

All good fun but the eagle eyed among you will have spotted the AGA Home Business booklet being handed to Mrs Hope by Mrs Hart in the background, I certainly did. Mrs Hope liked the idea so watch this space!