Gold Heart can complete a Larkhill hat-trick in the New Forest Mixed Open on Sunday. Caroline Holliday’s grey has impressed in two Military races at the Wiltshire venue this season and has all the credentials to make the step up to Open class.

Two pony races, qualifiers for the Wessex Final at Larkhill on 30 May, will be staged before racing, at 11.00am.

The course is found just NW of Amesbury on Salisbury Plain, easily reached off the A303 or A345.  First race 12.30 pm. Admission is £20 per car including all occupants; £15 car and driver only.

9th Mar 2010

Spaxton-based Marie McGuinness, who sent out five winners at the 2009 Quantock Staghounds meeting, could be back in the winner’s enclosure at this year’s fixture at Cothelstone on Saturday 13^th March (first race 12.00 noon).

Marie has a strong hand for the opening Hunt race, including Croix De Guerre, the winner of last year’s Ladies’ Open, Cuban Night and Black Forest Lodge winner Whodouthinkur

The course lies north of Taunton off the A358 (junction 25 off the M5), 3 miles NE of Bishops Lydeard.  First race: 12.00 noon.  Admission £20 per car and all occupants; £10 single occupancy; £5 pedestrians.

9th Mar 2010

A new chapter could be written into the point-to-point record books at Wadebridge on Saturday 13^th March as seven-times lady champion jockey Polly Gundry bids to overhaul Alison Dare’s career record total of 287 winners. 

Ottery St Mary based Polly needs one winner to equal the record and she has a strong hand in the Intermediate with Labarynth and Mulligan’s Pet, although course winners Ha Ho Magregor and Print The Money would be real dangers.

The Course is located at the Royal Cornwall Showground, on the A39 (PL27 7JE). Admission to the races is £10 for car & driver, £5 per passenger. Locally made refreshments, plus trade stands, a spring market, bar and bookmakers are available. First race 12.30pm.

9th Mar 2010

Sunday’s point-to-point at Buckfastleigh has everything for the perfect treat on Mother’s Day including an array of tradestands, a variety of catering options and what looks sure to be top class racing with the first race getting underway at 1pm.

The meeting features the Devon and Cornwall leg in the Weekender/Brightwells Insurance Order of Excellence and its involvement means the Westcountry Champion Chase mixed open is the first race of the season worth more than £1,000 to the winner. The placed horses will receive extra cash too.

The course is situated adjacent to the A38 at Buckfastleigh. Entrance is £20 per car or £10 per car and one occupant.

9th Mar 2010

Triple Olympian and the 2009 HOYS Equestrian of the Year, Richard Davison, is set to entertain the crowds at the forthcoming British Open Show Jumping Championships with an insightful Dressage Master class on Friday 9th April.

Richard will be assisted by members of his family to demonstrate a range of training tips to help get you and your horse on the right track for Dressage. Team Davison will enlighten the British Open audience with their expertise, assisting both those looking to improve in the sport and those interested in using the techniques to best effect in other equestrian disciplines.

Gillian Davison, Richard’s wife, who has ridden internationally at grand prix level, will be taking part in the demonstration riding either grand prix dressage horse Hiscox Komanchi or Hiscox Aliano.  Whilst Richard’s youngest son, up and coming Show Jumper Joe Davison, will also take part in the demo riding one of his Show Jumpers Egano Star or Lantino.

8th Mar 2010

The British Horse Society has announced the nominations for this year’s BHS Queen’s Award for Equestrianism.  The Award, which is made on the recommendation of the Trustees of The British Horse Society, is "For Outstanding Services to Equestrianism".

Representatives from across the spectrum of equestrianism were invited to nominate one candidate each.  The nine nominations received (with nominating organisations in brackets) were as follows:

Stephen Clarke FBHS (British Dressage); Rosemary Barlow (British Eventing); Sydney Smith (British Horse Driving Trials Association); Jane Goldsmith (The British Horse Society); Ronnie Massarella (British Showjumping); John Hudson (Endurance GB); Dr Ernie Logan (BHS Ireland); Ernest McMillen MBE (The Pony Club); and Maggie Bradley (Riding for the Disabled Association).

8th Mar 2010