21 October 2009 'Mrs Point-to-Point' steps down after 40 years
by Brian Lee
CYNTHIA HIGGON: pictured at the recent West Wales Awards evening
photo: Alun Sedgmore
Former West Wales Point-to-Point secretary Cynthia Higgon, who has recently handed over the reins to Beverley Thomas after 40 years in the position, has certainly earned the sobriquet 'Mrs Point-to-Point'.
She's even had an award named after her and during her time in office has picked up a number of awards herself including the Weatherbys industry award in 2002 and the National Point-to-Point Ball committee award for her work in Point-to-Pointing in 1994.
She's been the West Wales Point-To-Point Owners and Riders Association representative ever since it was set up more than 30 years ago and in the 1990s organised the National Point- to-Point Festival at Garthorpe.
Cynthia, who moved to Pembrokeshire from Herefordshire in 1964, told me: "When I was chairman of the 14 Point- to-Point areas, I enjoyed travelling the country and meeting wonderful people from all walks of life." She added: "I have hunted all my life and still do."
She held a mastership with the Pembrokeshire and had 14 seasons as field master to the South Pembrokeshire. In fact, she knows the area better from the back of a horse than she does in a car!
She said: "My first recollection of Point-to-Pointing was as a child."
"On Easter Sundays it would be church in the morning, family lunch, then to Ryalls Court to clean the numbers on the number board for the Croome Point-to-Point on Easter Tuesday."
She also remembers the thrill of attending the Worcestershire meeting for the Lady Dudley Cup. "It was held at Upton-on-Severn then and the atmosphere was electric, just like the Grand National."
As someone who likes to help young riders, she's pleased that pony races are now held at some Point-to-Points. "The young are the future and already in Wales we have produced some super horses and quality jockeys and when I see trainers such as Peter Bowen, Evan Williams and Tim Vaughan doing so well I feel honoured to have known them."
Her Cambridge Blue racing colours carried by such horses as Gay Avec, Sir Noddy and Ferreter haven't been seen on a Point-to-Point course for some years.
However, this coming season 'Mrs Point-to-Point' will be hoping to add to her total tally of 95 winners when she introduces two home-bred fillies - Another Poem and Hazarose.
