7 minute read
Riding Jane Paterson
A MESSAGEfrom Geoff Andrews of the Wylye Valley Pony Club was posted on the Pony Club website, offering an opportunity for 16 members and their ponies to visit the gallops belonging to 12-times champion racing trainer, Paul Nicholls. By that evening, Geoff could have filled the places twice over, such was the interest! The lucky applicants were invited to Will Biddick’s yard, just down the road from Ditcheat which has been home to some of the greatest National Hunt race horses. Past stars include Kauto Star, Denman, and Neptune Collanges, who were all under Paul’s wing when they were at their most successful.
And there are now many more making their way up through the ranks towards stardom.
Will is the most successful Point to Point rider of all time. He not only has his own riding career but he also breaks the young horses for Paul and gives them a good start before they progress up to the Nicholls’ race training yards, so his work is vital in shaping the future of these very talented and precious athletes.
Feeling excited does not come close to describe how everyone was feeling on the day. Ponies of various shapes and sizes were assembled in an outdoor arena for some briefing from Geoff and his wife Ann. Will did a tack check and had a chat with each rider, quietly assessing what he was dealing with before they set off on a short hack to the gallops, in two groups.
One of the stable staff led the posse and kept a watchful eye on the ponies. Parents walked on behind or had a lift with Will, cameras at the ready, and as usual carrying coats and anything else that might be needed.
Once the white rails around the gallops were spotted across a field, the reality set in and there was an intake of breath before a “Wow, I can see the gallops!” could be heard. All the children had a fabulous time. One or two were initially a little overwhelmed and hesitant, while others were raring to go.
One was heard to say “I can’t do this Mum, it’s too much”, but
With JANE PATERSON
then the same child minutes later completed two laps of the circuit at full pelt with a huge smile on her face. Well done Holley!
Another child managed to touch the railings while racing round at full speed and came a cropper, but was up and back on shouting, “I’m fine, I’m fine,” obviously worried someone might stop him if he faltered. The landing was so soft though, thanks to the deep surface of the immaculately tended gallops.
It was hilarious watching. Some of the ponies were hardly as tall as the rails, but that didn’t put them off. Will and his staff gave them all a superb time, finishing with a quick dip through the river to cool down on the way back.
As well as thanks to all concerned at the Ditcheat yards, a huge thank you must go to Geoff and Ann for arranging such a treat. If anyone wants to try another great day on a real racecourse, there will be an opportunity for first time pony racers to try their luck at Wincanton on April 23rd.
Classes will be in heights of ponies, starting at 12.2 h.h and under. Contact Geoff Andrews for details after Christmas, on 07515 868785 or email him, at gjandrews48@gmail.com if you are interested.
Being in Ditcheat it was impossible not to notice that it is definitely a village which is synonymous with racing. There are roadside signs pointing out that you are in horse country, and it is usual to see the lots riding out in small groups, all dressed smartly with their high-vis gilets.
The jockeys are courteous to drivers, sensible in their groups, and clearly there is a mutual respect between the racing yards and the village residents which is very evident. I was very lucky while I was in Ditcheat, to be catching up with a young friend, Angus Cheleda.
Angus works as a Conditional jockey for Paul Nicholls, and as I write this, he has just today ridden another winner, Calva d’Auge at Kempton in a very exciting race. There will be celebrations tonight for everyone on the yard, because it is recognised that it takes a terrific team effort to produce a winner, and they all share in every success.
I suspect the village pub might be busy as well, when the work is done and the horses are bedded down. Angus got on with his chores while talking to me, mucking out stables, putting horses in and out of the horse walkers, changing rugs, grooming, watering, topping up their bedding, and generally treating the horses like the stars and friends that they are.
I was surprised how chilled out and calm they were at home, away from the race track. They obviously thrive on routine. In the mornings they are ridden out in lots, each lot firstly hacking round
Cooling off in the river On the gallops
Holley and Bob flying round in style
the roads, then maybe having time either on the gallops or in the arena being schooled and learning to jump hurdles or fences.
There are purpose-built flat gallops as well as a very impressive hill gallop which ensures every horse maintains fitness and stamina. Paul’s father Brian took me up on the hill gallop (in his truck, not on horseback!) where the views from the top over south Somerset to Dorset beyond were fabulous.
We then went to the flat gallops to watch the horses being put through their paces, with Paul and his head lad Clifford Baker watching their every move. Paul reeled off the name of each horse as it went by… quickly having a few words each jockey about how his or her horse was going.
It is this close observation day in day out which helps him to know which race will suit which horse. Clearly it is effective because the wins keep coming, in a very competitive field. Paul has around 150 horses in training, and employs around 54 staff.
The organisation is slick, and the atmosphere is very friendly and professional. Angus came up to racing through Pony Club and hunting. With a series of good ponies who took him eventing and hunting in Blackmore and Sparkford Vale country, he had a good grounding for learning to cope with speed.
His last pony Maddie loved it all, and took Angus over some enormous hedges whether he liked it or not! He said he didn’t have much choice if she decided they were going, and they were always well up the field.
Point to point racing was soon on the agenda, and with some good wins and a men’s Novice Championship to his credit, his career path was established, and he gained his licence to race under rules in National Hunt races.
Being a Conditional jockey is hard work through the season with not a lot of time off, but it is a way of life which enables people like Angus to do what they love. The adrenalin rush, the buzz of racing, is worth every bit of every minute of the hard work which underpins the whole operation.
The rewards make it all worthwhile, with winning races being the icing on the cake. Good Luck Angus, for the rest of the season.
Angus and Calva d'Auge, his Kempton winner Congratulations to Pippa Skelton (see Riding, November issue) on successfully completing the Three Peaks Challenge in horrendous weather and raising £1,150 for the Willberry the Wonder Pony Charity. For details of how you can help Willberry fulfil more wishes for cancer sufferers, see www.willberrywonderpony.org
Sidcot wins at National Championships
SIDCOT School equestrian teams excelled themselves at the NSEA National Championships at Keysoe and were placed in nearly all of the classes entered.
The results were as follows: 90 Jumping with Style (JwS) team: 1st place, making them National Champions, with team member Hugo Blair placing 3rd individually; 70 Show Jumping (SJ) team: 2nd place; 70 JwS team: 4th place.
Zoe Aston, equestrian manager at the school said: “To come away from the National Championships with so many wins and an individual placing is outstanding.”
Sidcot’s equestrian team members include: Harriet Blair, Ava Antonsen, Henry Blair, Hugo Blair, Olivia Banwell, Erin Crofts, Hattie Raynes, Nelly Lee and Archie Stamp.
