Top juniors prepare for Winter Championships
Britain’s top young show jumpers are gearing up for the Blue Chip Winter Championships (28 March – 2 April). Qualifiers have been taking place throughout the winter and the most talented few will be heading to Solilhul Riding Club for the Championships.
William Whitaker, nephew of John and Michael and cousin of Robert, Louise and Ellen has qualified for the championships. Whitaker won a team silver medal at the 2005 Pony European Championships with Coltron Maelstrom. Team mate Emily Davis, who was also a member of the gold winning pony team in 2004, has also qualified.
Matthew Sampson, a member of the Junior Nations Cup Team, Joe Clayton, a winner at last year’s Blue Chip Championships, Helen Tredwell and Emma Jo Slater have also qualified for the championships.
Two pony racing days announced
The Cotswold Hunt and South Dorset Hunt Branches of The Pony Club have announced that they will each be holding a full day’s racing for Pony Club Members aged 11 to 15.
The Cotswold Hunt Branch day on 4 April will be held on Cheltenham racecourse with a full card of races open to both heights and with races for novice, open and local open. First race will be at 1.30pm. Entry is £20 per race. The full schedule (please enclose SAE) is available from Mrs. R. Charrington, Glenbrook Farm, Gretton Fields, Cheltenham, Glos GL54 5HH. Tel 01242 620682 e-mail charringtons@iclway.co.uk or via The Pony Club website at www.pcuk.org
The South Dorset Hunt Branch day on 12 April will be held at Goulds Farm, Milborne, St. Andrew. The organisers have arranged a full card of races open to both heights and with races for restricted novice, novice and open. The first race will be at 2pm and the entry fee is £15 per race. The full schedule (please enclose SAE) is available from Mrs. L. Thornycroft, Fivepenny House, Shillingstone Lane, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford, Dorset DT11 0RB. Tel 01258 860614 e mail loulythornycroft@homecall.co.uk or via The Pony Club website at www.pcuk.org
The P(UK) Winter Extravaganza
The 2006 Winter Championships (31 March – 2 April 2006) will certainly be the highlight of the winter season. With a new venue – the fantastic Unex Towerlands and a complete makeover of the classes, the show will have a new feel this year. Show Director – Steve Woods – will help to bring new and youthful energy to the show and will ensure that the Pre-Show Ball, organised by Claudia Starr, is enjoyed by everyone.
Big Boost for young equestrians
The Big Boost is an awards programme which has been created to encourage more young people in England to set up projects that will make a real difference. Projects do not have to be horse-related but the scheme is an excellent opportunity to get some backing for your equine project.
Through the Big Boost awards, young people will be able to start up projects that will make a lasting difference to them and their communities. The programme will support more than 12,000 young people over two years.
The awards consist of cash plus the support needed to help young people make their ideas a reality. The awards are for individuals or for small informal groups of people, living in England. There are two kinds of awards: one for 11 – 16 year olds, and one for 16 – 25 year olds.
11-16 year old awards are between £250 and £1,000 (expected average of £750). These awards are for groups of young people and are developed by a nominated advisor.
16-25 year old awards are between £500 and £5,000 (expected average of £2,500).
Big Boost awards are for individuals or small groups of young people. There are separate numbers for further information: 11-16-years-old (tel: +44 191 226 7330), and those aged between 16 and 25-years-old (tel: +44 845 410 2030).
Mid Devon Point to Point Pony Racing
The first pony racing of the 2006 Season got off to a flying start, with brothers Connar and Rhys Flint both scooping wins. Rhys Flint, a member of the Llangeinor Hunt Pony Club was partnering Tipsy Flint, who he also rode to victory in the first national finals of the 2005 Charles Owen Pony Racing series at Aintree Racecourse in October last year.
Hadden Frost from the South Devon Hunt West took second in the 14.2hh and under race on Miss Brady. Hadden, 14, is the son of trainer Jimmy Frost, who rode his first winner when he was just 13.
Mid Devon secretary Sophie Price said: “The Mid Devon was delighted to hold the first pony races in the series in the West Country this season, everything concerning them ran smoothly and safely and everyone enjoyed them.”
Also competing was Tommy Lyon-Smith, 11, son of Mid Devon Master. Tommy and his brother Matthew are regularly seen out with the Mid Devon hounds.
Vine and Craven Point to Point Pony Racing results
13.2hh & under
1st: Harry Derham G Wizz
2nd: Jack Sherwood Sparky Boy
3rd: Megan Floyd Dusty Rose
4th: Tom Bellamy Spring Symphony
14.2hh
1st: Oliver Murphy Fitzwarren
2nd: Paddye Grove Foxlynch Eriba
3rd: Amber Woodhouse Sambuka
4th: Holly Hawker Cherry
