A rare case of father and son riding in the same race ended happily at Bonvilston on Saturday when Harvey Barfoot-Saunt, making his point-to-point debut, finished second, one place ahead of his dad Geoff.
Harvey, who was celebrating his 16th birthday, rode Macs Legend into the runner-up spot after the mixed open, while Geoff, who rode his first winner 31 years ago, took third on Numero Uno, the two runners being trained by Harvey’s mum Tracey. (Pictured above, Harvey is just ahead of Geoff at halfway.)
Admittedly just three horses contested the race and the Barfoot-Saunts could not land a glove on the long odds-on favourite Dandy Dan, but that did not diminish the pleasure for the family.
Harvey said: “That was amazing – I loved it. He jumped well, and it was good to get round. I used to get nervous before pony races, but I was fine today, and it didn’t feel fast. After pony racing it was just longer and slower.”
With another three weeks of GCSE exams ahead Harvey has to re-focus on his studies, and then he will be heading to Henry De Bromhead’s for the summer before returning home to Gloucestershire in the autumn.
A full report from the meeting will be published later this week.
Happy family - Harvey (left), Tracey and Geoff Barfoot-Saunt before battle commenced **Carl Evans