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MOUNT SANDEL: Gave Frankie Hickman a first success between the flags
photo: Phil Britt

Anybody who saw the spirited performance of Mount Sandel and 16-year-old Frankie Hickman at Barbury would not have been surprised when the partnership gained recompense for their unlucky fall by making virtually all to take the Ladies' Open at Tweseldown on Sunday.

It was an initial success on just her second attempt for Frankie, who is in her first year of ‘A' levels, studying economics, maths, biology and geography. She had previously had one ride on the flat, just a few days after her 16th birthday, for Chris Gordon, for whom she worked during the summer.

Frankie's father Peter and mother Alison both enjoyed success between the flags, but putting aside the inherited competitive genes Frankie, whose involvement in pony racing was fairly minimal, considers that hunting with the Mid Surrey Farmers' Draghounds has helped her considerably.

As well as Mount Sandel, Frankie will be partnering Thenford Ryde, while her elder brother Will, who won the Wilkinson Sword in the 2008/9 season, will be on board the yard's maidens.

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Liam Payter recorded his 50th career success on Lorikarad, trained by his partner Charlotte Jones, in the Men's Open at Tweseldown on Sunday. His tally includes five under Rules.

Liam, who now rides out six days a week for Henry Daly, opened his account between the flags in 2005 on Misty Ramble at Thorpe.

He originally trained as a chef, but seldom puts that talent to use nowadays, just cooking for the occasional dinner party, although he admits that he would be happy to do more, on the proviso that his clients paid him a large amount of money!

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There was a first double at Wadebridge on Sunday for Chloe Roddick, who won the Ladies' Open on Sericina and the Intermediate on The Slug, both of which she trains for Michael and Heather Sheppard.

Chloe's first winner was Mister Benjamin in 2003, the year in which she won the Princess Royal Trophy. She has about 15 Pointers in her yard this year, and also has horses for pre-training for Paul Nicholls.

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Chloe Swaffield, 24, opened her account at Tweseldown on Sunday when taking a division of the Maiden Conditions on her father Tim's Battle Bridge, trained by Mary Tory. It was only her fourth ride, the previous three having been last season on her eventer.

Chloe worked in Ireland for Adrian Maguire for six months before going to University and she now lives in Surrey, where she works in product development for a large company.

The family has enjoyed plenty of success in the past, as Tim rode winners between the flags and his father Bert triumphed under Rules on several occasions.

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