11 minute read
Riding Jane Paterson
Busy season is underway
YOU may be forgiven for thinking this might be Her Majesty on one of her Fell ponies out for a quiet hack, but it is in fact an honourable lady from Bishop Sutton, who is just weeks away from becoming an octogenarian. Alison Adcock regularly rides her little mare, Libby, around the lanes near her home. Like all riders, she is glad of the new rules which require cars to take more care while approaching and passing horses.
The hi-vis vest Alison wears is a great way to politely remind drivers to keep to the 10mph speed, two metres distance rule. The vest is a useful addition to anyone’s equestrian wardrobe. Alison and I went to look at the progress of the Chew Valley Lake recreational path.
It is coming on apace, and should allow Alison to get off the road for a reasonable distance, to ride along a multi-user path with a good surface from Ham Lane into Hollowbrook, and along to the Salt & Malt. We are hoping that there will be no opposition to the route being used for riders out for a quiet hack, particularly those on unshod ponies or horses.
The once narrow bridge has been replaced with a wide sturdy one, well capable of carrying weight, and the path then leads on to what will be a pleasant ride without worrying about traffic, as well as giving views across the water through the reeds which were wafting gently in the spring sunshine while we were there.
There will obviously be no place here for fast riding. The path will be used by walkers and cyclists, as well as wheelchairs, pushchairs, and mobility scooters, but in the Mendip area we are lucky we have Black Down, Wavering Down and Crook Peak for the more adventurous who prefer a bit of speed.
Alison has been quite an intrepid pioneer in her time. She is a woman who Gets Things Done. “Back in the day”, she took up a challenge. To find a way to ride from Wales to the Thames Valley to validate a map which had been drawn up to make a route which would be called The Three Rivers Ride.
Alison enlisted a few friends and they set off. The ride would cross the rivers Usk, Wye and Lugg, taking in some of the country’s finest scenery. Finding accommodation for hungry riders and their horses without the internet doesn’t bear thinking about. Does anyone out there remember having to ring the tourist boards to find accommodation?
We have all got so used to everything being available at the click of a button, that those times seem light years away. The adventure took nearly three weeks in all, what with popping home to sort out domestic matters and connect with leftbehind family!
Then, navigating blocked bridleways, negotiating with farmers, working out routes each day, charting everything, her efforts finally resulted in a successful completion of a new popular ride now usually taking three or four days. The BHS
With JANE PATERSON
helped to publish a leaflet of the Three Rivers ride, as well as others that Alison became involved with. A worthy achievement.
Having got the pioneering bug, Alison went on to source more rides, finding suitable routes from Borth near Aberystwyth, all the way to Brecon, and then another from North Wales to Port Talbot. Riding as high in the hills as they could, Alison and her friends enjoyed the most fabulous scenery in Britain, and hardly met any traffic. What bliss.
Maybe we could entice Alison to do one for the West Mendip Way? A fun ride with overnight accommodation suggestions so that people can take on the delights of the Mendips at a comfortable pace…. now there’s an idea.
Alison showing me the new route Alison showing me the new route
MENDIPFarmers Pony Club members have been practising their mounted games throughout the winter, meeting regularly in all weathers at Whitewood Farm. They are hoping for repeated success in this year’s competitions despite the loss of a very beloved pony belonging to William Falango who shone in the team last year.
Dear Bumble was such a character. Feisty on the ground, she was so good to ride. William had mastered her brilliantly, winning numerous rosettes and prizes, including the Mounted Games Trophy which was ironically presented to him the week she passed away.
Bumble is very sadly missed, but William has picked himself up and is as determined as ever to keep competing. RIP Bumble, you were very loved. Onward and upwards, and good luck to the team for this year’s challenges. The youngsters have also kept up their jumping practice and have been going to Badgworth Arena competitions on Wednesday evenings to compete not only against each other but also a wider field from other counties. Leah Sweet from Mendip Farmers had a good evening with a First rosette in her class. Leah Sweet riding Bryony They are all very
Baton passing practice for mounted games
competitive, and in the jump-off there is great tension while watching who can streak round one or two seconds faster than a rival. It’s great fun for everyone and all taken in good part. Everyone has an off day sometimes, and the children learn to support one another when things go wrong, as well as celebrate when it all goes well. When things go “pear shaped” we just say, “Well that’s horses for you.” And indeed it is.
RIP Bumble
ANGUSCheleda who rides as Conditional Jockey for Paul Nicholls at Ditcheat, is well into the National Hunt racing season and having some good successes so far, along with some not so good days which are all part and parcel of racing, or any equestrian sport.
As I write this, Angus is getting ready to ride the lovely Calva d’Auge at Kempton in the Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle which is a Grade 2 race over two miles five furlongs. He will be up against some high profile jockeys and horses in a field of 17 runners.
Angus had a good ride at Sandown earlier this month on Hacker des Places, coming 3rd out of a field of 22 in an exciting race. Maybe I will have a little punt on him tomorrow and then a good day out at the Mendip Farmers Point to Point at Ston Easton. It promises to be a good weekend with sunshine in abundance, so I can’t wait! Finally, the entries for Badminton Horse Trials are in now, but not yet accepted or published. It will be interesting to see how many local riders will be competing at the event which is to Eventing, what Wimbledon is to tennis. Getting prepared, and keeping the horse and rider fit and healthy, makes for a nerve-racking lead up. We’ll have to wait and see who goes where. It’s only just over six weeks away! Local rider Selina Milnes started the season with a very convincing win in the Open Intermediate class at Tweseldown Horse Trials scoring an amazing dressage of 18.6, and adding only a few time penalties in the cross country to land her a first prize on Iron (Bentley). Fingers crossed we see this super local partnership at the A delighted Angus Cheleda with Hacker des Places top event of the season. There are a busy few months ahead.
One thousand days –but racing returns
A LARGE crowd of racegoers enjoyed the 2022 Blackmore & Sparkford Vale pointto-point meeting – the first in 1,000 days.
The 2020 fixture was abandoned without a single horse being run due to heavy rain and mud and last year’s was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Highlight of the day, near Charlton Horethorne, was the running of the first Ineos Grenadier Mixed Open Race with a place for the winner – Will Biddick on Famous Clermont – at Cheltenham in April up for grabs.
James King (in blue and white) and Salt Rock won the first race
Will Biddick (far right) on Famous Clermont and below . . . Feddie Gingell on the Colin Tizzard-trained Molineaux . . .
… celebrating with son Archie, aged one Myla Coppins, 13, from Glastonbury, winning the Bradley Head Shoot pony race for ponies 138cms and under on Maesteg Ruth . . . and with the trophy after winning the Mrs E.V. Welby Memorial Conditions Race
Riding charity is back
SOMERSET Levels RDA Carriage-Driving for the Disabled has resumed twice-weekly services on Tuesdays and Thursdays and has vacancies for new clients. Operating from stables in Binegar, the group’s volunteers have worked throughout the winter to provide pony care and prepare for the coming season of sessions for disabled
clients.
They range from those confined to a wheelchair to those with a wide span of other physical and mental challenges.
Group treasurer, Caroline Sturgess, said: “Throughout the many Covid months, we have been restricted in running sessions or holding fundraising events. This has, like so many other charities, impacted our finances.”
Whizzy, the Dartmoor pony, qualified for disabled drivers, met visitors to the Brent Knoll Parish Hall for a table-top sale to raise funds. Those visitors contributed almost £700 to the Somerset Levels RDA Carriage-Driving Group.
There to greet Whizzy was Tessa Munt, the former MP for the Wells Constituency, who remains an ardent patron of the group. She’s pictured (centre) with other group members.
Details: Group organiser, Ann, 07938-563190 volunteer coordinator, Marion, marion.hodgson@outlook.com
Pat Bishop (left) and Martin Lawrence (right), who run the Divoky Riding School, were amongst the sponsors of the Mendip Farmers’ point-to-point meeting
Wagner hits all the right notes
RACEHORSE trainer Matt Hampton, based near Wellow, enjoyed only his second success under rules when recentlyacquired Wagner won a Matt (right) in the winner’s enclosure as Wagner enjoys the limelight hunter steeple chase at Wincanton.
Just 30 days earlier, the same horse had brought Matt, who runs Braysdown Stables with wife Felicity, his first victory, that time at Hereford.
Braysdown specialises in the breaking and early training of both flat and national hunt horses, including those under champion trainer Paul Nicholls, as well as producing a series of successful point-to-pointers. Matt is a former winning amateur jockey winning point-to-points as well as under rules.
An award-winning riding school in the heart of Mendip
Return to riding in 2022!
We all know it can be a bit of a challenge to get back in the saddle if you’ve not ridden for a while – but we have the answers! H Ride and coffee mornings H Adult group lessons H Quiet Hacks Call or email us for more details
Divoky Riding School, Manor Farm, Downhead, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 4LG www.divoky.co.uk • Email: info@divoky.co.uk T: 01749 880233 • M: 07971 207037
Point-to-point springs back into life
THE Mendip Farmers Point-to-Point returned in style post-pandemic with a large crowd enjoying glorious spring weather.
Entries came from across a wide area, with a strong contingent from Wales competing in the six main races and two pony races which followed.
Olive Nicholls (left), the daughter of trainer Paul Nicholls, heading for victory in the opening race on Monsieur Gibraltar
Enjoying the atmosphere
Roger and Cath Penny (centre) prepare to present the RM Penny Open Maiden Steeplechase trophy to jockey Michael McIntyre and owner/trainer Luke Price
Henry Jones, aged five months, at his first point-to-point Tom Killen and son Archie present the Killen’s Ladies Open trophy to trainer Sam Loxton and jockey Natalie Parker
