Jockey Steve Wright in Localrider April May 2017

Localrider Magazine

ENDURANCE • SHOWING • SHOWJUMPING • EVENTING www.localrider.co.uk

Spring

£3.00

April/May 2017

Over £1,000 of prizes to be won!

Show Reports and News

In the Spotlight: Point to Point Rider Stewart Wright 04

April/May 2017 • VOLUME XVII NUMBER 3

from across the South East

www.localrider.co.uk

Tried & Tested: New Season’s Clothing COVERING KENT, SUSSEX, SURREY, HAMPSHIRE, BERKSHIRE & THE ISLE of WIGHT 01-cover_lraprilmay17.indd 1

26/3/17 20:15:37

SPOTLIGHT

Faversham Jockey

Stewart Wright with the family-owned Duke of Kentford

Stewart Wright Faces Bright Future

Words and pictures courtesy of www.chrislawsonphotography.co.uk

Bright eyed, bushy tailed and full of enthusiasm…that just about sums up 22-year-old Stewart Wright, the Faversham based point-to-point jockey carrying on a family tradition as the 2017 point-to-point season comes under starters orders in the South East. Chris Lawson chatted to the competitive young rider who is combining racing with a career in the city.

A

former pupil at St. Edmund’s School, Canterbury, Stewart Wright graduated from the University of Leicester in 2015 with a degree in Banking and Finance, spent most of 2016 working for JM Finns, the City based investment management firm, and is currently riding out for Wye trainer David Phelan while contemplating his next career move in the City. While point-topointing has become increasingly professional both in the way horses are trained and by the people employed in racing who make up the participants, Stewart epitomises the almost defunct concept of the true Corinthian – an amateur enjoying this dangerous and fiercely competitive hobby while earning his living from other means.

A study in concentration as they line up for the start of the race.

Family tradition “It’s very much a family tradition. It helps keep us together,” says Stewart. Mum is Sue Frazer, a regular point-to-point rider in the 1980’s while father Richard is a serious farming and shooting man who loves his racing. “It’s a straightforward relationship when it comes to the horses,” adds a smiling Stewart. “Mum is responsible for the training – and Dad pays the bills!”

No surprise really, that a very young Stewart started riding when he was just 10-months-old. He has ridden all his life since, hunting with local packs, the Ashford Valley and the West Street Tickham.

He rode out for licenced trainer John Best at the age of 13, successfully completed two years pony racing before riding out with some of the most respected jockey/trainer talents in the Midlands, Stuart Morris, Rowan Cope, Joe Docker and Dickie Barratt, while at University.

Stewart and Duke of Kentford in the paddock at Godstone point-topoint (2016), being led by his father, Richard.

Hooked on racing “I always wanted to be a jockey. Racing is the most fantastic legal high. While a lot of friends were doing drugs, I was hooked on racing and it definitely kept me on the straight and narrow!”

While some former pony racing colleagues like Freddie Mitchell

16 Localrider APRIL/MAY 2017

16-17-spotlight-lrapril17.indd 1

26/3/17 18:13:34

Stewart (in pink & blue quartered colours) rounding the top bend at Godstone - where the race really hots up on the final circuit and Tom Cannon, have graduated to professional jockey ranks, Stewart has his mind on other targets. He has great respect and admiration for Philip (Shaggy) Hall, the stalwart among South East point-to-point jockeys, and a very successful insurance broker.

“I want to be the next ‘Shaggy’ states Stewart. “I’d love to be a very good jockey but my careers advisor at University suggested I needed £100,000 a year to fund my lifestyle! Racing is great fun and as an industry is brilliant for networking. I would love to be the South East champion jockey one day, but you need to have a good trainer, good owners and a good strike rate for that. Right now I’m focused on riding out my novice title.”

A true Corinthian So, while concentrating on developing a flourishing career in the City, our former pony racer starts the new season with two winners on the scoreboard courtesy of the family horse Duke of Kentford and needing three more to ride out his novice title. While so many of his fellow jockeys are competing in point-to-points on a far more professional basis, Stewart is a rare example indeed, of the true Corinthian, taking part in a sport captured so aptly by the poet W.H. Ogilvie - “Taking what the Fates provide them, Danger calling, Death beside them – ‘Tis a game beyond gainsaying, Made by Gods for brave men’s playing.”

Premium Wood Pellets “Only the best pellets for the best horses” recommended by Team Crisp Eventing & Mark Butler Dressage Cost effective - our pellets are, on average, half the price of shavings. Also, as less pellets are disposed of when mucking out, less are needed to maintain the bedding.

High quality - our pellets are heat treated to eliminate bacteria and contain <1% dust - making them especially suitable for animals with allergies or respiratory problems. They also contain natural resins that combat ammonia & smells.

Cleaner, more comfortable bedding - our pellets are super absorbent, creating a better bedding solution for animals.

Environmentally friendly - our pellets are made only from FSC approved timber and fully biodegradable.

Call us today - 01795 507197, prices start at only £227 per tonne delivered (ex VAT) info@swiftenergyuk.com www.swiftenergyuk.com

To get £14 off your first full pallet enter the code “Hannah” at the checkout 16-17-spotlight-lrapril17.indd 2

26/3/17 18:13:36