Charing report 22 Feb 2009

Pony Racing in the South East got off to a flying start. Seven runners went to post for the 138cms and under race including Frankie Penford on Redcedar and Izzie Marshall on Rio having their first rides. The start was a little messy with Ninfield Millionaires Delight (Charlie Marshall) preferring to head back towards the lorry park but with the help of the excellent start team at Charing they were all under way safely. Running in the right direction this time, Charlie Marshall and George Crate on Coveham Genaration set a blistering pace up the hill with Lucy Duncan (Copper Thistle), Alex Chadwick (Ninfield Millionaires Splendour), Frankie Penford and Martin Otway (Springcroft Red Admiral) bunched tightly together some 6 lengths behind. Rio was a little slow away from the start but soon made up ground across the skyline to regain his position with the following pack. Coming into the final bend, George Crate was at the head of affairs but with Charlie Marshall holding the advantage of the inside line, the two looked inseparable as they approached the finish. Charlie managed to kick on to win by 1 length in a time of 2.09 mins. A fast finishing Rio made up for his slow start to take third place (4 lengths) giving Izzie Marshall the best placed Novice Riders prize. Martin Otway rode Springcroft Red Admiral into 4th place to take the highest placed Maiden Pony prize.

Five quality ponies contested the 148cms and under race with two ponies, Fritzz (George Crate) and Iltoppo (Bridget Andrews) making their race course debut. Once again we saw George Crate at the head of affairs as he set off at a relentless gallop, closely followed by Stewart Wright on Royton. Iltoppo was also in contention with these early leaders as they turned the corner across the skyline. Freddie Mitchell held up Tennants Super towards the rear of the field with Charlotte Cheesman on the multi talented Kylemore Shiloh (seen indoor show jumping on Friday). As the field approached the downhill section of the course, Freddie Mitchell unleashed Tenants Super but George Crate was able to continuously kick on to maintain the advantage. The two were very close as they rounded the final bend but George held off his rival to take the spoils (and the best placed Maiden Pony prize) with a 1 length advantage in a time of 1.54 min. East Anglian raider, Bridget Andrews took 3rd place only 2 lengths adrift on Iltoppo. Fourth was Royton, giving Stewart Wright the best placed Novice Rider award.