DEVON & CORNWALL AREA
NEWS
Brand new heavies at Taunton Vale’s Easter Monday point-to-point
FOR the first ever time heavy weight horsemen with a desire to ride at speed over fences will be given the opportunity to do just that when the Taunton Vale Foxhounds stages a special race for those carrying an extra few pounds at its point to point on Easter Monday.
The meeting is a highlight of the racing calendar in Somerset and with other attractions including a 12 furlong charity race, a parade of hounds, entertainment for children including a bouncy castle, a hog roast, an array of trade stands, a licensed bar and the chance to bet, all roads will lead to Kingston St Mary.
Those riding in the heavy weight race include Richard Mitford-Slade, master of the Taunton Vale and owner of Pontispool Equine Sports Centre; Marcus Chambers who won the 2009 running of the charity race, Devon farmer Tom Brown who has been riding his own horse Kitley Hassle in point-to-points carrying several pounds overweight and local builder Greg Day.
Dominic Alers-Hankey, who has helped organise the race, said: “Taunton Vale subscribers love jumping hedges. First of all we introduced the charity race, which involves no jumping, to enable them to take part as they may be too old, too heavy or not good enough to ride in a proper point-to-point.
“But now they would like to ride in a full and proper race over three miles so we introduced a heavyweight division within the members’ race.
“All the “heavies” will have a schooling session before they take part in the race and everyone must ride a thoroughbred and they will be wearing a white sash so we know they weigh at least 14st!”
Another draw for the popular point-to-point is the annual charity flat race for owners who have hunted a least six times during the season. In 2008, the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance was the nominated charity and last year it was Help For Heroes. This year the Mark Davies Injured Riders Charity will benefit from the race which takes place after the main card.
“We’ve donated over £5,000 to the charities over the past two years and its incredibly popular with all our supporters,” said Alers-Hankey.
To enjoy the fun head to Kingston St Mary (postcode TA2 8AS) on Monday, April 5 when the first race will be underway at 1pm.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
DEVON & CORNWALL 2009 / 2010 POINT TO POINTS
1. Black Forest Lodge Hunt Club
Sunday 29th November 1st Race 11.30am
Black Forest Lodge, Kenton, Exeter EX6 8NW
Sec: Mr Knox 01392 811468
2. Cornwall Hunt Club
Saturday 12th December 1st Race 12noon
Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge PL27 7JE
Sec: Mrs Matthews 01736 761937
3. South Devon Club
Monday 28th December 1st Race 11am
Ideford Arch, Olchard, Newton Abbot TQ13 0AB
Sec: Miss Harris 01626 355372
4. North Cornwall
Saturday 9th January 1st Race 12 noon
Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge PL27 7JE
Sec. Mrs. Tickle 01208 814833
5. Silverton
Saturday 17th January 1st Race 12 noon
Black Forest Lodge, Kenton, Exeter EX6 8NW
Sec: Mrs.Courtney 01404 822925
6. Tiverton
Sunday 24th January 1st Race 12 noon
Chipley Park, Milverton, Wellington
Sec: Mr Granger 01404 841223
7. Mid Devon
Sunday 31st January 1st Race 12 noon
Black Forest Lodge, Kenton, Exeter EX6 8NW
Sec; Miss E Dixon 01647 441164
8. South Pool Harriers
Sunday 7th February 1st Race 12 noon
Buckfastleigh Racecourse TQ11 0LT
Sec; Mrs. Ashby 01548 531490
9. East Cornwall
Sunday 21st February 1st Race 11.30am
Great Trethew, Menheniot, Liskeard PL14 3PZ
Sec; Miss. Young 01579 326046
10. East Devon
Saturday 27th February 1st Race 11.30am
Bishops Court, Ottery St. Mary
Sec; Mrs S Wills 01404 831744
11. South Devon
Saturday 7th March 1st Race 11.30am
Ideford Arch, Olchard, Newton Abbot
Sec: Miss, Harris 01626 355372
12. Western
Saturday 13th March 1st Race 12.30pm
Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge. PL27 7JE
Sec; Mrs. Matthews 01736 761937
13. Dart Vale & Haldon Harriers
Sunday 14th March 1st Race 1 pm
Buckfastleigh Racecourse. TQ11 0LT
Sec; Mrs. Ashby 01548 531490
14. Lamerton Hunt
Sunday 21st March 1st Race 1pm
Kilworthy, Tavistock
Sec; Mrs. Fuller 01822 860253
15. East Cornwall Foxhounds
Sunday 28th March 1st Race 12noon
Great Trethew, Liskeard
Sec; Miss. Young 01579 326046
16. Spooner & West Dartmoor Foxhounds
Easter Saturday 3rd April 1st Race 1pm
Cherrybrook, Tavistock
Sec; Miss. Ross 01822 616439
17. Four Burrow Foxhounds
Easter Monday 5th April 1st Race 1 pm
Trebudannon, St Columb Major TR9 4LP
Sec; Mr. Congdon 01326 340368
18. Eggesford Foxhounds
Saturday 11th April 1st Race 1 pm
Upcott X, Halwill Junction EX21 5AE
Sec; Mrs. Quick 01363 83216
19. Dartmoor Foxhounds
Saturday 17th April 1st Race 2 pm
Flete Park, Ermington, Ivybridge
Sec; Mrs C Wonnacott 01548 550355
20. Four Burrow Foxhounds
Saturday 24th April 1st Race 2 pm
Trebudannon, St.Columb Major TR9 4LP
Sec: Mr. Congdon 01326 340368
21. Axe Vale Hunt
Sunday 25th April 1st Race 1.30 pm
Stafford X, Seaton EX24 6HZ
Sec; Mrs. Cork 01884 821752
22. Modbury Harriers
Saturday 1st May 1st Race 2 pm
Flete Park, Ermington, Ivybridge
Sec; Mrs C Wonnacott 01548 550355
23. Stevenstone Foxhounds
Monday 3rd May 1st Race 2pm
Vauterhill, High Bickington EX37 9BT
Sec; Mrs. Wickett 01409 281370
24. Dulverton West Foxhounds
Saturday 15th May 1st Race 1pm
Bratton Down, Bratton Fleming, Exmoor EX31 4SG
Sec; Miss. Wright 01598 710495
25. Dulverton Farmers
Saturday 22nd May 1st Race 2 pm
Treborough, Nr.Raleighs X, Exmoor
Sec; Mrs. Roffe-Silvester 01884 820994
26. Exmoor Foxhounds
Saturday 29th May 1st Race 2 pm
Bratton Down, Bratton Fleming, Exmoor EX31 4SG
Sec; Mrs. Thomas 01598 763502
27. South Tetcott Foxhounds
Monday 31st May 1st Race 2 pm
Upcott X, Halwill Junction EX21 5AE
Sec; Mr. Clark 01409 231106
28. Tiverton Staghounds
Sunday 6th June 1st Race 2 pm
Bratton Down, Bratton Fleming, ExmoorEX31 4SG
Sec; Mrs. Hayes 01769 550276
29. Torrington Farmers
Saturday 12th June 1st Race 2pm
Chapelton Barton, Umberleigh EX37 9EB
Sec; Mrs C Norman 01769 560172
Learn the art of race riding with renowned horseman Mike Trickey
RENOWNED judge, breeder, point-to-point trainer and horseman Mike Trickey is offering short intensive schooling courses for young jockeys commencing their race riding careers or more experienced riders wishing to brush up on their techniques.
Mike, who is based near Exmoor at North Molton, has a wealth of experience having ridden in point-to-points for 25 years. An astute breeder of quality youngstock, he has also trained many winners, including for the late Captain Tim Forster, and has started many jockeys on the race riding careers.
Mike Trickey with two point-to-pointers at his home on the foothills of Exmoor
Mike spent five years with the late Bertie Hill and rode Chicago for him to finish fifth at the European Championships in 1969. An international judge, his past engagements have included a the Dublin Horse Show and the Horse of the year Show. He is soon to become an accredited British Eventing trainer when he has taken a final assessment with British senior event team chef d’equipe Yogi Breisner.
Mike said: “We have fantastic facilities here. People can come here and learn on their own horses. We are also able to offer bed and breakfast too.” He added: “Several successful jockeys have spent time here and it would give me great pleasure to teach more people about schooling over fences, riding work and riding in races.”
For further details contact Mike on 01598 740203 or email mctrickey@hotmail.com.
Devon and Cornwall Area Award Winners 2009
Champion Gentleman: Richard Woollacott
Champion Lady: Polly Gundry
Leading Male and Females Novice: Matt Griffiths and Alice Pearn
Leading Owner: Reg Hand
Leading Veteran: Neil Harris
Leading Horse: The Boss Roche
Leading Mare: Wee Fly
Leading Novice Horse: Bishy Barnaby, Gemgaballou and Karley
Leading Veteran: Paddy The Piper
Leading Owner/Breeder: David Congdon (Jaunty Janner)
Leading owner/rider gaining most points on one horse: Mandy Hand on Paddy The Piper
Leading owner/trainer/rider resident in area: Mandy Hand
Rider gaining most points at one meeting: Polly Gundry at the Modbury Harriers meeting at Flete Park (4 wins)
Winning rider of the horse with longest official starting price: Darren Edwards (Kitley Hasle at the Silverton meeting at Black Forest Lodge 33-1)
