Welsh Border : Area News : Weatherbys Point-to-Point

Last Updated - 6 June 2007

Area Information
Area Awards

June

Wales & Border Counties Awards 2007

The 2007 point-to-point season has been a mixed bag for many local trainers, but for Kington-based Jane Lloyd, it has been a dream come true. Mister Falcon, the 'family horse' that she owns and trains was never out of the frame, and took the Wales & Border Counties Leading Horse award by one point from Barbara Gibbons' consistent gelding Magicien. Mister Falcon was partnered by Imogen 'Bundle' Pickard in all his races, enabling her to deservedly take both the local Lady Rider's championship, and the Novice Lady's title.

The popular Adie Brown topped the table for the Men's Championship with an exceptionally high strike rate, while the spirited battle for the Men's Novice title resulted in a three-way tie between Ray Carey, Richard Spencer and Robert Kirk.

The Veteran Rider's plate was won yet again by Bringsty-based Ray Rogers, who recently received a memento for having whipped in to the North Herefordshire Hunt for 25 years.

The awards will be presented at the The Three Counties Hotel, Belmont on June 22nd , and tickets are available from Stella Havard on 07876 553641.

MR & MRS. P M EVANS TROPHY FOR THE LEADING HORSE
Jane Lloyd's Mister Falcon. Runner Up : Mrs. Barbara Gibbons' Magicien

JOHN PANNIERS MEMORIAL TROPHY FOR THE LEADING RIDER
Adrian Brown. Runner Up: Rob Hodges

WELSH BORDER AREA LEADING LADY RIDER
Imogen Pickard. Runners Up = Lorna Brooke & Sarah-Jayne Davies

PLEASURE PRINTS TROPHY FOR LEADING NOVICE RIDER (MALE)
1 = Robert Kirk, Richard Spencer & Ray Carey (tied).

MARK RICHARDS TROPHY FOR LEADING RIDER (SELECTED MEETINGS)
James Tudor. Runner Up: Claire Allen

H & B HRC PLATE FOR LEADING VETERAN RIDER
Ray Rogers

MURIEL JENKINS MEMORIAL TROPHY FOR LEADING OWNER
Jane Lloyd. Runner Up: Mrs Barbara Gibbons

POLYROCK TROPHY FOR LEADING TRAINER
Marilyn Scudamore. Runner Up: Jane Lloyd

UNSUNG HEROES (STABLE)
Lyn Hodges (Rob Hodges stable)

'EYECATCHER' TROPHIES FOR PERFORMANCES IN THE WELSH BORDER AREA:
Mrs Barbara Gibbons' Magicien; Claire Allen; Jeremy Mahot; Rob Hodges; John Mathias; Nick Lowe.

DISTINCTION AWARDS
Everall Family's Beauchamp Oracle & Marilyn Scudamore's Galway

UNSUNG HEROES (WELSH BORDER AREA POINT-TO-POINTS)
Dick Pike; Pat Blackband; Wayne Tuffin; Cynthia Higgon; Ann Price

April

Ludlow Preview - 7 Apr

LOOKING FORWARD TO LUDLOW POINT-TO-POINT

The Ludlow point-to-point at Bitterley this Saturday (7th) is set to be the usual gala affair.

The organizers always pull out all the stops to provide an enjoyable family fun day coupled with competitive racing, and the seven-race card has attracted 169 entries.

Stan Turner will be hoping that his charge, The Risen Lark, who was second on his last outing at Maisemore, will go one better in the Restricted race, while Rachel Reynolds, who trains the attractive grey Sarobar, will be crossing her fingers that he too can go one better than his recent second to lose his maiden tag.

The Ladies event is always a cracker, and Claire Allen will be looking to extend her lead in the national championship with her Dick-Baimbridge trained partner.

The first race is due off at 1 pm, but there is always plenty to see and do at this fixture, so early arrival is recommended.

The course at Bitterley can be found 4 miles south-east of Ludlow, near the A4117.

March

United Pack Preview - 31 Mar

BIG CARD FOR BRAMPTON BRYAN
It will be all systems go for the United Pack point-to-point at Brampton Bryan this Saturday (31st) with 191 entries dropping onto Lucy McFarlane's doormat. These have been arranged into an eight-race card, with both maiden events having been split into two divisions.

The Ladies Race is a particularly competitive event, and Magicien, trained by Steve Issaac at Shobdon may well appreciate the switch from hunter-'chasing.

The first race at the beautiful riverside course, the oldest in the Welsh Border area will be at 1.30 pm. The venue can be found near Leintwardine, 9 miles north-west of Ludlow on the A4113.

Ross Harriers Preview - 18 Mar

POINT-TO-POINTING BACK ON TRACK AT GARNONS
Local point-to-pointing gets back on track at Garnons this Sunday (18th) with the Ross Harriers fixture.

Entries secretary, Verity Look reports that she has received 169 entries, making a nine race card for the afternoon.

The joint members race, which was scheduled to run at the abandoned South Herefordshire meeting a fortnight ago, has been held over and will now be the first race on the card at 1 pm, earlier than originally planned.

The superb 'ground staff' supporters, and clerk of the course, Keith Johnson (father of NH jockey, Richard), who worked so hard to provide the course a fortnight ago will be looking forward to seeing the fruit of their labours enjoyed by the usual large crowd of spectators. The beautiful parkland course can be found at Byton, six miles west of Hereford on the A438.

February

North Hereford Preview- 17 Feb

The first fixture between the flags in the Welsh Border area in 2007, will begin with the North Herefordshire Hunt on February 17th at Whitwick Manor.

LOCAL RIDER RETURNS TO RACE ACTION
Former area champion rider, Rob Hodges is hoping to return to the winner's enclosure of his local point-to-point at Whitwick Manor on February 17 th to set the seal on a remarkable recovery.

Twenty-eight year old Rob, who trains from a yard at Marden, suffered an horrendous fall last July when a young horse slipped and fell on him, fracturing his femur. Determined to confound all those who predicted long months on the sidelines following an operation to screw the thigh bone together, Rob worked tirelessly towards an early recovery. Against all the odds, he was cleared to race-ride just four months later, and has five horses in training for the 2007 point-to-point season.

Rob will be partnering the well-related grey, Clouded Venture, in the North Herefordshire Hunt Members race, which promises to be a battle royal between the local riders.

Steve Flook, Steve Issaac, Rachel Reynolds and Tracy Watkins are among the local trainers who have made an early start sending out winning or placed horses already this season, and will be looking to make a mark at Whitwick Manor, the first fixture in the Welsh Border Area.

OBTAINING ENTRIES AND RESULTS

The Entries and Results are available to our Members as soon as they become available - Results on Saturdays and Sundays and Entries which this year close at lunchtime on Mondays, the same afternoon - but can only be seen by non-members from the following Friday. It is therefore highly advantageous to have this prior access via Membership.

In addition, there is a Form Guide available to Members only, giving 1st, 2nd, 3rd placings for all horses covering the current season and results from 2002 onwards. This is exclusive to Members and cannot be viewed by the general public.

As the Season starts early this year, we recommend that you apply for your Point to Point Membership NOW! Click here for details on our Point to Point Membership - don't delay apply today!

Welsh Border Area Awards 2006

The dust has settled on the point-to-point courses in the Welsh Border Area, and the regional championships at last decided, with Kerry Lee's evergreen performer Samuel Wilderspin, running away with the Leading Horse award.

The Rider's title was fiercely contested and resulted in a tie between Andy Hanley and Michael Scudamore, while Lorna Brooke galloped off with the Ladies award -all first-time winners of the titles.

These awards, and a host of others, will be presented at the Annual Awards 'Bash' at The Three Counties Hotel, Belmont, Hereford on Friday July 14th . The fund-raising events for the Injured Jockeys Fund will include an auction for kisses from some of the well-known riders in the area, both male and female, and kit donated from leading National Hunt jockeys, including local hero, Richard Johnson.

Tickets for the 'Bash', which includes a buffet and disco, beginning at 7.30 pm, are £20 from Stella Havard, Burghope Farm, Dinmore, Wellington, Hereford, HR4 8ED. 07876 553641. All items for auction for Injured Jockeys Fund gratefully received!

MR & MRS. P M EVANS TROPHY FOR THE LEADING HORSE
Miss Kerry Lee's Samuel Wilderspin
Runner up Mrs Marilyn Scudamore's Fiesty Frosty

JOHN PANNIERS MEMORIAL TROPHY FOR THE LEADING RIDER
= 1 Andy Hanly & Michael Scudamore

MARTIN MELLISH TROPHY FOR LEADING LADY RIDER
Lorna Brooke

PLEASURE PRINTS TROPHY FOR LEADING NOVICE RIDER (MALE)
Michael Scudamore

MARK RICHARD TROPHY FOR LEADING RIDER (SELECTED MEETINGS)
Julian Pritchard

ADRIAN WINTLE BLOODSTOCK SERVICES TROPHY FOR LEADING LADY NOVICE RIDER
Dr. Sarah Myhill

H & B HRC PLATE FOR LEADING VETERAN RIDER
=1 Kenny Ford & Ray Rogers

MURIEL JENKINS MEMORIAL TROPHY FOR LEADING OWNER
Marilyn Scudamore

POLYROCK TROPHY FOR LEADING TRAINER
Marilyn Scudamore

STABLE STAFF HEROES OF 2006
Sean Musto (Marilyn Scudamore) & Anthony Woods (Rob Hodges)

'AMBASSADOR AWARD'
Rob Hodges

'EYECATCHER' TROPHIES FOR PERFORMANCES IN THE WELSH BORDER AREA:
Ray Carey (Autumn Mist (Ire) (Brampton Bryan)
Angela & Jody Aston's Phatic (Ire) (Bitterely)
Alistair Ralph & Un Jour A Vassy (Fr.)
Penny Grainger & Michael Keel (Sheila's Legacy (Ire), Garnons)
Claire Allen
Kenny Ford (Alfie Valentine, Garnons)
Mrs. Barbara Gibbons' Magicien (Fr) (Cold Harbour)

DISTINCTION AWARDS 2006
Emma James
Rachel Reynolds' Derrintogher Yank
The Everall Family's Beauchamp Oracle
Steve Flook

UNSUNG HEROES AWARDS
(WELSH BORDER AREA POINT-TO-POINTS)
Pat Blackband (Declarations)
Jane Rayer (Scales)
Will Rayer (Scales)
Pauline Duggan (Teme Valley Sec)
Graeme Knowles (Ludlow Sec)
Will Holland (Golden Valley Sec)
Frank Morgan (North Herefordshire Sec)
Liz Morgans (South Herefordshire Sec)
Roger Tydeman (United Sec)
Christine Rogers (Radnor & West Herefordshire Sec)
Verity Look (Ross Harriers Sec)

Welsh Border Area 2007

There will be eight fixtures between the flags in the Welsh Border area in 2006, beginning with the North Herefordshire Hunt on February 17th at Whitwick Manor.

Chairman: Frank Morgan, Easters Court, Leominster, Hfds HR6 ODE.
Tel 01568 611166. Evenings 01568 708248
Secretary: Dick Pike esq., The Priory, Kilpeck, Hereford. HR2 9DN.
Tel 01981 570366
P.R.O: Stella Havard, Burghope Farm, Dinmore, Wellington, Hereford.
HR4 8ED. Tel 01568 797403. Mobile 07876 553641
E-mail stella.havard@standardbred.co.uk

Please note that entry fees outstanding at the 'entries close' deadline will be subject to a £10 surcharge at all these fixtures.

Going, Prospects and previews for all below fixtures:
Talking Point 09068 44 60 61

North Herefordshire Hunt - 17th February - Whitwick Manor
Venue: 8 miles NE of Hereford, situated on A417, just off A4103.
3 miles. 2 LH circuits. 18 fences.
Secretary: Frank Morgan, Leominster, Hfds. HR6 8JG. Tel 01568 611166 (daytime) 01568 708248 (evenings)

South Herefordshire Hunt - 4th March - Garnons
Venue: 6 miles W of Hereford on A438
LH 21/2 Circuits. 18 fences.
Secretary: Verity Look, Chantry Farm, Perrystone, Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire. HR9 7QU. Tel 01989 780255. Mobile 07816478213.

Ross Harriers - 18th March - Garnons
Venue: 6 miles W of Hereford on A438
LH 21/2 circuits. 18 fences
Secretary: Liz Morgans, Stockmans House, Netherton, Harewood End, Hereford HR2 8LA. Tel 01989 730418 or 07812 882992.
E-mail stockmans@waitrose.com

United Pack - 31st March - Brampton Bryan
Venue: Leintwardine, 9 miles NW of Ludlow on the A4113
3 miles, 1 furlong. RH 21/4 circuits. 19 fences.
Secretary: Pauline Duggan, Little Folly, Eardisland, Leominster, Hfds.
HR6 9BS. Tel 01544 388258

Ludlow - 7th April - Bitterly
Venue; Bitterly, 4 miles NE Ludlow, nr A4117.
LH 21/4 circuits. 18 fences.
Secretary: Belinda Clarke, Home Farm, Middleton Priors, Bridgenorth, Shropshire. WV16 6UR. Telephone 01746 712338. Fax 01746 712113,
e-mail belinda.edwards@btinternet.com

Teme Valley Hunt - 28th April - Brampton Bryan
Venue: Leintwardine, 9 miles NW of Ludlow on the A4113
3 miles, 1 furlong. RH 21/4 circuits. 19 fences.
Secretary: Lucy McFarlane, Coates Bungalow, Ratlinghope, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. SY5 OSS. Tel 01588 650412. E mail lucy_mc@lineone.net
(ie. lucy underscoremc@lineone.net)

Radnor & West Herefordshire Hunt - 5th & 6th May - Cold Harbour
Venue: Near Monkland, 3 miles W of Leominster, close to junction of A44/A4110
3 miles. 21/4 circuits. 18 fences.
Secretary: Christine Rogers, Cornhill Cop, Leominster, Hfds HR6 9DA
Tel 01568 612324

Golden Valley Hunt - 19th May - Bredwardine
(Brightwells Welsh Border counties area confined hunts championship race here. For horses which have completed the course of a confined hunts race at one of the above meetings in the 2005 season)
Venue: 7 miles E of Hay-on-Wye, on B4352, off A438.
RH 21/2 circuits. 18 fences.
Secretary: Will Holland, New Barn Cottage, Clyro, Hay-on-Wye, Hfds.
HR3 5SG. Tel 01497 820710. Fax 01497 821710