Detling March 8th, 2008 Pony Race Results

The Novice Combination 148cm & under

1st Strongbow - Maryann Cushen
2nd Kylemore Shiloh - Charlotte Cheesman
3rd Pennyway Tap Dance Tabitha Worsley
 
Dist: 6l & 20l in time of 1.58m
 
Open 148cm & under
1st Little Quaker - Chloe Willett
2nd TheLittleBrownMare - Tabitha Worsley
3rd Flash IV - Lizzie Norman

Dist: 1/2 l& 1/2 l in time of 1.56m

Little Tinker - Charlie Marshall best place under 138cm book their ticket to the Plumpton Final

Pony racing at Detling

A cold and blustery day greeted pony racers at Detling where the West Street Tickham Hunt were kindly staging their first pony races. The Novice Combination Race was well supported with 10 going to post. Fast ground ensured an early good pace with Kylemore Shiloh (Charlotte Cheesman), Pennyway TapDance (Tabitha Worsley) and Rhoden Zukini (Elliot Pickering) making the initial running. In good contention at the early stages were Ninfield Millionaires Delight (Hugo Pearson-Wood), Lockland Loulabell (Phoebe Kindersley), Huttons Ambo Nemesia (Toni Silverstein) and Royton (Stewart Wright), with the small and brave Zebedee (Katie Featherstone) comfortably whipping in behind. As the field approached the bottom turn they became more strung out and at this point Strongbow (Maryann Cushen) began to make headway. Maryann rode a well judged race and kicked on to beat Kylemore Shiloh by 6 lengths in a time of 1.58mins. Third was Tabitha Worsley on her pony’s debut doing well to finish only 20 lengths adrift in the company of the larger ponies. Maryann, Charlotte, Tabitha and Hugo (who was fifth overall but second of the 138cms and under ponies) all lose their Novice status with these rides. Congratulations to all.

The Open Race saw five runners going to post, all who had good current form. First to show was Top Star Surprise (Frankie Hickman) who set a blistering pace and was chased in the early stages by Flash IV (Lizzie Norman), TLBM (Tabitha Worsley) and Little Quaker (Chloe Willett). Charlie Marshall on the only small pony in the race galloped gamely behind. At the bottom bend and as the ponies hit slightly slower ground, the early leader began to tire allowing Chloe to take up the running. As the field turned for home Little Quaker ran wide and it was almost impossible to split the first 3 (Chloe, Tabitha and Lizzie) as they raced for home. Lizzie on the fast finishing Flash 1V could find no room on the run in and Chloe crossed the line first in a time of 1.56mins with TLBM only half a length down and Lizzie half a length back in third. Little Tinker plugged on to take fourth but books his place in the Open final as the only 138cm and under participant. A Stewards Enquiry was held regarding the racing line taken by Little Quaker but it was deemed that the route ridden did not give any advantage and the result stood.