(l-r) Sarah Llewelyn with Deep Challenger, Qulinton with Thea Geake and Imperial Ruby with Sar Cassidy Hill (owner)Three former successful racehorses, stabled and trained now at Overton Manor Farm (and owned by the White family) in Wroughton have qualified for the Horse of the Year Show at Birmingham’s NEC in October.
Trained by the ladies who will be riding them, the three horses will be competing in the South Essex Insurance Brokers Racehorse to Riding Horse Show Final which will take place at the NEC on Wednesday 4 October.
Jess Smith will be riding fourteen year old ‘Imperial Ruby’, Sarah Llewelyn will be riding eleven year old ‘Deep Challenger’ whilst Thea Geake will be riding nineteen year old ‘Qulinton’.
‘Qulinton’, an eight time winner was trained when racing by David Pipe and Johnny Farrelly. A prolific Show Horse, already with a third place at the Horse of the Year Show in 2019, whilst also qualifying for this year’s Burghley Horse Trials.
‘Deep Challenger’ was trained by Jamie Osbourne winning a couple of races and since retirement from the track has become established as a winner in the ring, in hand and under saddle.
‘Imperial Ruby’ was trained by Mick Channon, a very successful trainer but maybe known even more widely outside the equestrian world as a very successful England international footballer. Imperial Ruby, whilst never achieving great success on the racecourse achieved third place at The Horse of the Year Show last year and is a previous champion at the Royal Windsor Show and at the RoR (Retraining of Racehorses) National championships at Aintree.
Greta Mason - pic Nico Morgan
When Greta Mason drives through the famous Badminton gates for her debut appearance this week it will be a culmination of a three-year plan.
Greta and her 16.1hh gelding Cooley for Sure (Murphy) moved to base themselves with former Badminton winner Rodney Powell at his Bishopstone yard in 2020, with a view to qualifying for the Badminton Horse Trials, presented by Mars Equestrian. The plan has obviously worked as Greta credits Rodney and fellow trainer Alex Franklin in helping her achieve this goal.
Larkhill ptp now postponed... pic: John EcclesWeather has forced the postponement of this meet by one week - it will now take place on Saturday 28 Jan.
Military point to point organisers say they are ‘immensely grateful’ to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace for saving the Larkhill Racecourse from closure.
The Point to Point racing season sees the Royal Artillery take centre stage next week (was Saturday January 21 - now 28 January) after the MoD had threatened to close the course at the end of 2023 and use the land for more army training.
Tim Price having been awarded his third place prize by Princess Anne
Marlborough based eventing power couple Tim and Jonelle Price have finished Burghley International Horse Trials in third and fourth place.
Tim and his ride Vitali took the prize from HRH Princess Anne at the event.
Point to Point at Barbury
Point to point races are to cease at Barbury.
The estate owners blame inflationary pressures: “We are saddened to announce on behalf the Barbury Castle Estate that a difficult decision has been taken to cease Point-to-Point racing at the estate this season and into the foreseeable future,” said a Barbury Castle Estate spokesperson.
Dani Jackson is to commentate on the very first race of the day, a charity race in celebration Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee to raise funds for the Injured Jockeys Fund.
Racegoers will also have the chance to hear from some leading sporting figures before the live action starts with their Panel of Pioneers featuring, Lioness captain Katie Zelem, Gold curling medallist, Eve Muirhead and leading jockey, Hollie Doyle talking about their personal journey into their sport.