Welcome to the news page written by Carl Evans.
News 5-5-09
To watch a video of the 2009 Hayes Golden Button Challenge click on the link below:
News 18-1-09
Millington stays out of trouble to win Hayes Golden Button
Leicstershire-based
Patrick Millington riding Treble Trouble won the postponed Hayes Golden Button Challenge.
Treble Trouble capitalised when
local horse World Wide Web clipped the top of the second-last fence, pitched on landing, and shed rider James
Ridley when well clear. Ridley vaulted back on his horse, but Millington grasped the opportunity, drove his mount
ahead and held on for a narrow win.
Millington gained the overall
winner’s Ledbury Hunt gold button, and one for being the first veteran, while Ridley gained some consolation when receiving
buttons for being the first rider under-21 and first representative of the organising hunt. In third was 15-year-old I’m
No Trouble ridden by Jancey Wembridge from Taunton, who took the gold button given to the first woman rider.
Clare Bell
finished fourth on George, while Percy Haines’ sixth place on Jones gained
him a gold button for being the first past the post on a non-thoroughbred. Harry Spurr on Benova
Boy gained the heavyweight prize.
A team from the Cottesmore
Hunt won the JCB Diggers Inter-Hunt Challenge, heading representatives from the Cotswold
and Golden Valley Hunts.
Millington, a well-known figure
on the point-to-point circuit, finished fourth in last year’s Hayes Golden Button Challenge, won the Cheshire Hunt’s
O’ssmans’ Ride in February and was third in November’s Melton Hunt Ride.
For the Ridley family there was
satisfaction in another fine effort by World Wide Web, the winner in 2007 and in contention when unseating at the final fence
12 months earlier. World Wide Web was unharmed, said joint-owner Heather Ridley, who added: “There’s not a mark
on him. He’s as fresh as a daisy and with luck he’ll be back next year. We’re thrilled he’s run such
a fine race.”
For third-placed Jancey Wembridge
the event left an indelible impression. She said: “That’s the first time I’ve ever done anything like that
– it was a blinding experience and one hell of an adrenalin buzz. I’m addicted now.
“I’m No Trouble was
bought for meat money as a two-year-old, but he became an advanced eventer and qualified for Badminton, although he did not
compete there.
“He was retired from eventing
and I got him a couple of months ago to do some team chasing with the Chilled Out Chasers. One team member did the Melton
Hunt Ride and said it was great fun, so I entered the Hayes Golden Button for a bit of experience.
“They went very fast early
on, but I was determined to keep out of trouble by sticking in the first third of the field. I knew my horse could jump, and
apart from a hairy moment at the twelfth he was brilliant. He’s an absolute super star.”
Results 17-1-09
1st Patrick Millington and 1st Veteran
2nd James Ridley 1st Ledbury and 1st Under 21
3rd Jancey Wembridge 1st Lady
4th
Clare Bell 2nd Lady
5th Richard Walker
6th Percy Haines 1st Non TB
7th Sophie du Rouet
8th Katy Price
9th
Capt Chris Davies
10th Zoe Gibson
11th Harry Spurr 1st Heavyweight
12th Sarah Hawkins
13th John Evans
14th
Tamara Vestey
15th Dougie Gittins
16th William Grant
17th Philip Gough
18th Jonty Southam
19th Jim Clay
20th
Harry Wallace
21st Kelly Anne Tudge
22nd Jonty Evans
23rd Chris Ball
Pictures to follow.
Injured riders on the mend
Injured
riders Anna Walby and Ben Pauling, who fell independently during the Hayes Golden Button Challenge, received
treatment the day after the event.
Walby,
who fell on Hoo’s Harry, underwent an operation to plate a broken jaw, while Pauling’s injured shoulder was strapped
up.
Pauling,
who rode Bill Owen, said: “I’ve slipped my collarbone off the shoulder – it’s an injury to the ligament,
which is sore, but nothing’s broken and the horse is fine.
“I
was sitting just off the leading pack and he had jumped beautifully, but when we came to a set of rails he put in an extra
stride and hit the fence.
“I’ll
certainly be there next year.”
Pauling
works for racehorse trainer Nicky Henderson, who is enjoying a memorable season with his string of jumpers. His injured assistant
trainer said: “I’ll be off work for a few days but the boss has been pretty good about it.”
Latest going - 4pm 16-1-09
Dry
day in our favour, says clerk of the course
A dry and breezy Friday has raised hopes of largely
good ground for tomorrow’s Hayes Golden Button and JCB Diggers Inter-Hunt Challenge.
According to Metcheck’s weather forecast for the area around Gloucester, rainfall is expected over night to be followed
by showers at daybreak. Dry weather is expected by noon, but it is expected to be blustery.
Clerk of the course Roger Warner said at today’s meet of the Ledbury
Hunt: “The going remains good around much of the course, but there are two wetter fields either side of the lane
[about halfway around the course].
“The ground is not as dry as it would have been
on New Year’s Eve – sharp frosts that opened the ground up, followed by rain on Monday, has eased the going. Having
said that it is far from heavy and would be regarded as perfect hunting ground.”
Warner reminded competitors that the second fence has been widened
to accommodate additional runners following the decision to hold the Hayes
Golden Button and JCB Diggers Inter-Hunt Challenge at
the same time. This decision was forced upon the committee by withdrawals following the postponement on New Year’s Eve
and rescheduling of both events.
Local estate agents proud to support Golden
Button
Hayes is proud to sponsor the Hayes Golden
Button Challenge and help support the Ledbury Hunt and the worthy charities of The Gloucestershire
Air Ambulance and Newent’s Dolphin Club.
In its fifth year of trading, Hayes has established
itself as the leading local estate agency specialising in period homes, with a particular emphasis and expertise in equestrian
properties.
Hayes has developed strong links with the local community and has a solid reputation as an honest,
hard working, personable company, whether letting or selling. Its greatest asset is its enthusiastic, hardworking staff who
sell and let properties. Investment in staff has lead to Hayes’s accreditation as an ARLA firm.
It is a member of
the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), ARLA and is regulated by the Ombudsman for Estate Agents (OEA).
Based
in Ledbury, Hayes sells and lets properties across the three counties. Its distinctive local newspaper advertising
is supported by a very strong internet presence.
For further information visit www.hayes.gb.com or click on the logo.
News 16-1-09
Phil’s
a double hip-flask man
While some riders will be looking forward to a hot
meal at the conclusion of the Hayes Golden Button Challenge,
Phil Gough’s eyes will be on a hip flask of raspberry vodka.
Gough, one of several sporting entrants from the Golden
Valley Hunt, is “a two hip-flasks-a-day man when out hunting,” according to his wife, Beryl, who adds: “We’re
a proper hunting family. Phil is riding Louis, a big, white boy, half Irish draft, and a horse that we bought the summer before
last.
“Louis used to get a bit excited when we first
bought him, but he’s settled down now.”
Gough has no pretensions to winning this year’s
Hayes Golden Button Challenge, and his plan to jolly round in company with heavyweight champion Colin Thomson has been dashed.
Thomson was one of the first entries for the event
on New Year’s Eve, but he misses the rescheduled race because of a pre-booked skiing holiday. Beryl says: “Colin
was so disappointed to miss the race, but I expect he’ll be on the phone to find out how his mates have got on.”
The
‘real’ Katy Price is all Quality
An entry for the Hayes Golden Button Challenge from Katy Price aroused interest at event headquarters, but the person
in question has never invested in silicone.
Katie Price, aka Jordan, is well known as a horsewoman
and friend of plastic surgeons, but the Katy Price who will line up on Saturday is a 29-year-old mobile phone shop proprietor
whose business is based in Hay-on-Wye.
Acknowledging that her name provokes regular comments,
Katy says: “The only reply to that is, ‘mine are real’.”
It will be a two-horse day for Katy on Saturday. She
explains: “I’m riding my home-bred mare Quality
in the Hayes Golden Button Challenge. She’s 15.2 hands, by a local thoroughbred stallion called Liberated and out of
a mare I did pony club events on.
“After the race I am going to take my point-to-pointer
Darnil out with the Ledbury Hunt [which meets at noon at Town Street Farm]. He’s a schoolmaster that I want to ride in novice
riders’ races.”
Twelve months ago Katy and Quality acted as lead horse
for Colin Thomson, who rode Murphy to win the heavyweight golden button. Katy says: “I spent half my time looking for
the next fence, and half the time looking back for Colin, but it was an absolute thrill to take part.
“When I crossed the finish line I cried. It
meant so much and the mare was brilliant. She’s never let me down.”
Charm
one of the golden old boys
One of the oldest horses taking part in the Hayes Golden Button Challenge is Supreme Charm, a thoroughbred who turned 17 on New Year’s Day.
He will be ridden by his joint-owner, Ashley Bealby, who works as a stipendiary steward for the British Horseracing Authority,
and whose wife, Anabel, partnered the horse to victory in last
year’s Melton Hunt Club ride.
In his pomp Supreme Charm was a useful racehorse,
who gained a victory in the Sporting Index Chase, a cross-country
race, at Cheltenham in November 2000. He was trained by Kim Bailey for that victory, but later joined Cottesmore Hunt joint-master
Charlie Gordon-Watson before switching to the Rutland home of the Bealbys.
On his way to carry out official duties at Great Leighs
racecourse earlier today, Ashley said: “When Supreme Charm was retired he was sent to hunt in Leicestershire, and I
was in the wrong place at the right time to acquire him not long after that.
“You would never guess his age, but stamina
is his forte, and three miles on this particular course might be a little short for him.”
News 15-1-09
Rain eases going as Warner widens fence
Steady rain on Monday has eased the going for Saturday’s Hayes Golden Button and JCB Diggers Inter-Hunt Challenge.
Clerk of the course Roger Warner said on Wednesday evening (January 14): “The rain has softened
the course, but generally it is good and good to soft in places.
“We had a sharp frost last night, but after several days with temperatures well above freezing
it made no difference to the ground – we could have run the event this morning.”
Plans to run both events as one have necessitated a rethink on the construction of the second fence.
Warner said: “Because we could have up to 50 horses taking part we have widened the second fence – which was the
last jump in previous years – by allowing riders to opt to jump to the left or the right of the gate. They cannot jump
the gate.
“We have reflagged the fence. The course will be open for walking once again as of lunchtime
tomorrow [Thursday, January 15].”
Ridley ready for early start – and fast
u-turn
Rider James Ridley will be up long before the cock crows on Saturday in his attempt to win the Hayes Golden Button Challenge on hotly-fancied World Wide Web.
The 19-year-old works for Britain’s leading point-to-point trainer Richard Barber, who is based
in deepest Dorset, so he faces a 5am start and some mucking out ahead of a dash north to Gloucestershire to partner last year’s
winner.
Even if he wins the Hayes Golden Button Challenge
there will be no hanging around, for his boss could have six runners at the rearranged Barbury Castle point-to-point near
Swindon, and Ridley will have duties to perform with his colleagues at that fixture.
His father, Mick, who owns World Wide Web and who lives near the Hayes Golden Button course at Forthampton, said the recent freeze-up had not prevented him keeping the gelding
ticking over.
“He’s been out every day, and while the frost curtailed us a bit it was a nationwide
issue so all the competitors faced the same problem,” said Mick. “James came home and gave him a gallop on Sunday
and the horse had a pipe-opener today. He seems really well.”
News
5-1-09
Hammond on ITV1 this week
BBC Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond, who gamely took part in the Hayes Golden Button Challenge running race on New Year’s Eve,
can be seen on ITV1 this week.
Hammond
is a guest on This Morning on Wednesday, January 7 – his interview is likely to take place between 10.30am and 11am.
It is expected he will
be quizzed about his participation in the running race. Photographs from the event have been supplied to ITV1 for use during
the broadcast – some can be viewed on this website (go to Running Race Photos 2009).
News
3-1-09
New date named
for Hayes Golden Button
Saturday, January 17, 2009, has been named as the proposed
new date for the Hayes Golden
Button Challenge.
The three-mile event was due to take place on
New Year’s Eve, but heavy overnight frost and persistently low temperatures on the day thwarted plans. Original entries stand for the rescheduled event and its counterpart, the JCB
Diggers Inter-Hunt Challenge.
Consideration had been given to restaging the event on Friday, January 9, but it was felt
more people could attend a Saturday fixture, particularly as there is no point-to-point racing currently scheduled for that
day.
Organiser David Redvers said the Hayes Golden Button Challenge would take place at 10.30am,
and that all competitors would be welcome to join the Ledbury Hunt to pursue a trail after completion of the JCB Diggers’
event. Food and refreshments will be on sale at the finish, Town Street Farm, Tirley, along with racecards and copies
of the Ledbury Hunt’s Holloa magazine.
News 1-1-09
Winter wonderland cannot halt two-legged race
The
Hayes Golden Button Challenge was scuppered by heavy frost and iron-hard ground on New Year’s Eve, but the Ledbury
Hunt turned the event into a celebration by the Severn.
A human cross-country race
between the villages of Forthampton and Tirley became the new focus and drew 40 competitors, although another 200 people turned
up to support and later tucked into a hog roast and mulled wine.
BBC Top Gear’s
Richard Hammond and his family came along to start proceedings,
but he was soon cajoled into running despite being attired in leather boots, jeans and fleece top. He duly finished a respectable
equal 23rd of the 40 runners on his second outing of the day, having already completed a four-mile spin for pleasure
before breakfast.
Hammond said: “I
came here expecting to start a horse race, not run in one myself, but I was delighted to do so.
“This is a tremendous
part of the world and we live nearby on purpose because we enjoy it so much. The people involved in the Golden Button are
a very welcoming bunch of folk – it’s not often you find a crowd of people who are so enthusiastic for what they
do.”
The winner, who skipped across three miles of Gloucestershire’s whitened
landscape in a time of 24mins 13secs, was Ledbury Hunt joint-master David Redvers, a considerable talent in running shoes
but an odds-on shot for disqualification on any grounds the judges could muster. They decided ‘home advantage’
was a suitable charge, and placed him last.
Victory therefore went to
Mark Russell, who works in property finance and lives at Leddington near Ledbury. Russell, pipped near the line by the incorrigible
Redvers, said: “I run for fun when exercising the dog and have never competed seriously. I really enjoyed myself.”
He received a £100 voucher
to be used in Club Sport of Ledbury, a bottle of champagne and a gold-plated Ledbury Hunt button that was generously
provided by Robert Nash of Heaphys, the Worcestershire-based tailors and outfitters.
Professional jockey Felix
de Giles from Gloucestershire finished third and received a bottle of bubbly, while Melissa Watson from Pembrokeshire
was fourth and won a button for being the first woman across the line. Watson, who was paying her first visit to the Ledbury
Hunt country, was a dark horse in the true sense, for she admitted to running for Wales’ over-40 team and being a past
regional and junior champion.
Tenth-placed Harry Spurr
won the heavyweight button, 11th-placed Mark Wilesmith gained a button for being the first Ledbury Hunt
subscriber, while Thomas Twiston-Davies led home the under-18s in 12th. Rebecca Sheppard was the
best young girl finishing 27th, while Louise Daly gained a button for being the first female from the Ledbury
Hunt in 20th.
Putting aside the indignity
of his disqualification, Redvers said: “I have been seriously touched by the incredible reaction of people who have
turned up today despite the postponement of the Hayes Golden Button Challenge.
“People have gone
to great lengths and turned a huge disappointment into a fun occasion. It says so much about our community.
“I want to say special
thanks to Louise Daly, secretary for the event and who takes on every task we throw at her, and also to Roger Warner,
the clerk of the course. Roger, his wife Laura and his parents Charles and Sue, are great supporters of the Ledbury Hunt and
we are incredibly lucky to have them on our side.”
News - 10am - 31-12-08
Golden Button postponed until future date after frost
Running race goes ahead with Hammond the starter
Heavy overnight frost has caused the Hayes Golden Button Challenge to be postponed until a future date.
However, the human running race between Forthampton and Tirley goes ahead as planned
at noon, when Top Gear presenter
Richard Hammond will act as starter. Food and drinks will be served
at the finish, Town Street Farm, Tirley, and all are welcome. Entry is free.
Event organiser David Redvers said: “It is
a real shame to have to postpone the Hayes Golden Button Challenge, especially after all the hard work put in by volunteers
to stage the event, but the ground is frozen in places. The safety of horses and riders must come first.
“We do hope the public will come along today
to take part in or watch the human running race, and then join us for a hog roast and drinks at Town Street Farm.”
A final date for the rescheduled Hayes Golden Button
Challenge will be posted on this site as soon as possible.
News - 8.30am - 31-12-08
Frost causes further inspection
Today’s Hayes Golden Button Challenge has been put
back one hour until midday
following overnight frost.
Clerk of the course Roger Warner walked the track at first light and announced
another inspection and a final
decision will be made by 10.15am.
Details will be posted here as soon as possible.
Eddie’s grand gesture laid bare
Ace Flat jockey Eddie Ahern is no stranger to the twists and turns of Epsom’s
famous Derby track, but he will undertake a different test of horsemanship at this year’s Hayes Golden Button Challenge.
In a bid to raise £1,000 Ahern has offered to jump the final five fences
of the course bareback. That may sound a reasonable assignment, until you
see the very large hedge that forms one of the fences on his route.
Anyone who likes to watch a man suffer – especially one with Ahern’s
cheek – can sponsor him by putting down their money in the secretary’s tent.
Ahern won last year’s Hayes Golden Button Challenge on World Wide
Web, but his bareback promise could prove a far less wholesome experience for him and a financially rewarding one for the
Ledbury Hunt and the two charities – Air Ambulance and Newent’s Dolphin Centre – it supports at this year’s
event. Gravity awaits!
News 30-12-08
Gun-carriage
horse set for blast off
One of the more intriguing
entries at this year’s Hayes Golden Button Challenge is the mare Rockport, the mount of Captain Harry Wallace.
Rockport is stabled at the
King’s Troop stables in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, while Capt Wallace, who hails originally from Gloucestershire,
is based at the barracks in St John’s Wood, London.
Capt Wallace says of Rockport:
“She ran in the King’s Troop race at Larkhill point-to-point last year and I completed the Melton Hunt ride on
her last month so she’s pretty versatile.
“The last time she was
seen in her ceremonial role pulling a gun carriage would have been at the Queen’s birthday parade in June.
“I’ve not had
a chance to look at the Hayes Golden Button course yet, so I’m not sure what I’m letting myself in for, but I’m
ready to give it a go.”
Web one to beat in wide-open race
World Wide
Web completed preparations for this year’s Hayes Golden Button Challenge with a pipe opener today at the home
of owners Mick and Heather Ridley.
Successful
in the event 12 months ago when ridden by Flat jockey Eddie Ahern, World Wide Web will be reunited with his owners’
son, James, for tomorrow’s contest. Ridley jnr, 19, rode the gelding in the first running of the Hayes Golden
Button Challenge in 2006 and was in contention when his horse stumbled and unseated at the last.
Commenting
on 11-year-old World Wide Web, Mick said: “He seems as good as we can get him and was fine when I gave him a pipe opener
in some fields this morning. James has been busy at his job in Dorset with point-to-point trainer Richard Barber, but rode
the horse two weekends ago and popped him over some hedges.
“I’m
excited and nervous about tomorrow’s race, particularly as James is in the saddle.”
World Wide
Web, who raced for trainer Jonjo O’Neill before being retired with the Ridleys, has been hunting, hunter trialling and
taken part in racehorse-to-riding-horse classes since his victory last year. On that occasion he carried little more than
10st (Ahern weighs around 8st stripped), but the introduction of an 11st 7lb minimum weight gives rivals hope of revenge.
Mick, who is
chairman of the Ledbury’s hunt supporters’ club and has been busy helping with course preparations, said: “All
the fancied runners will be carrying more or less the same weight this time, but I haven’t studied the runners because
I’ve been too busy – we’ve got 14 hunter liveries in at present.
“The
course looks very good and drier than in previous years, but that won’t worry him. Running the course in the opposite
direction means the ditches are on the take-off side of the hedges and that will make people think a bit more. It will be
a proper test of horse and rider.”
Children and air ambulance set to gain
Two charities
are set to gain from this year’s Hayes Golden Button Challenge run by the Ledbury Hunt.
The Gloucestershire
Air Ambulance, a worthy cause often vital to those who live or work in the countryside, will gain for the third year running,
while Newent’s Dolphin Club, a centre for special-needs children, will also be given a share of the event’s
profits.
The public
can help contribute to these two charities by not only coming along and paying to enter the event - £10 per car or £5 for
single occupancy – but also by buying a copy of this year’s racecard. The all-colour card includes
details of the runners and riders and costs just £3.
Read all about it! In Holloa
Copies of ‘Holloa’,
the Ledbury Hunt’s twice-yearly magazine, will be on sale at this year’s Hayes Golden Button Challenge.
Packed with
pictures and articles that depict the working year in and out of the kennels, Holloa includes a two-page spread with photographs
from last year’s Hayes Golden Button Challenge.
There are also
articles by joint-masters David Redvers and Tim Lewin, an interview with new master Ged Lampard and reflections on a day filming
and riding with the Ledbury Hunt by Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond.
Copies of Holloa,
priced at £3, can be bought at the secretary’s tent.
Cotswold team back for JCB inter-hunt test
Four teams
will line up for tomorrow’s JCB Diggers Inter-Hunt Challenge, the second equestrian event on a busy card.
Last year’s
winners from the Cotswold Hunt are back to defend their title, although Tamara Vestey and Jane Edmunds
have been joined by Jonty Evans this time.
Local honour
rests with the Ledbury Hunt team, which this year includes the event’s sponsor, Chris Ball, who sells
JCB machinery.
The Golden
Valley’s team includes an energetic Huw Evans Bevan, who also rides in the earlier Hayes Golden Button Challenge,
while former top amateur jockey Dominic Alers-Hankey, who frequently won military races at Sandown Park before hanging
up his racing saddle, is part of a quartet from the Taunton Vale.
The teams are:
Golden Valley Hunt: Huw Evans Bevan (Skylink), Peter Sidebottom (Zola),
Katy Price (Quality), Kate Mills (Take it Easy).
Cotswold Hunt: Tamara Vestey
(Harry), Jane Edmunds (Monty), Jonty Evans (Dylan).
Taunton Vale Hunt: Tony Berry
(Milo), Bridget Burbidge (Jack), Ces Mitford Slade (Big Ed), Dom Alers-Hankey (Victor).
Ledbury Hunt: Chris Ball
(Hillbilly Skip), Nikki Gillett (Tasqui), Major Gen. Arthur Denaro (Wogan), Eddie
Ahern (Cara).
The team with the lowest accumulative placings
from their first three members to complete will win the perpetual Ledbury Inter-Hunt Challenge Trophy.
There’s more on 4
Channel 4 Racing
hopes to show highlights from this year’s Hayes Golden Button Challenge during its programme from Cheltenham
races on New Year’s Day.
Golden Button
organiser David Redvers has negotiated filming arrangements and an agreement with Channel 4 Racing’s Andrew Franklin.
Highlights
of the first running, won by Yvonne Goss on Perry, were broadcast by the television company in 2006.
News 30-12-08
Muddy Piper can sparkle for Gibson
Piper,
one of the favourites for this year’s Hayes Golden Button Challenge, was tuning up for his attempt on the race
with a relaxing mud pack at his Leicestershire home on Monday.
Owner/rider
Zoe Gibson said: “He loves being out in a field, but rolls in the mud until he’s caked from top to toe!
“It’s
going to take me ages to pick it all off, but he’s got to look smart for the big day.”
Ten-year-old
Piper and his partner finished third in last year’s Hayes Golden Button Challenge, but have since won two major cross-country
rides – the Harborough Hunts Club Ride in March and the Melton Hunt Club Ride in November. On each occasion
she had a number of Hayes Golden Button Challengers in rear.
Twelve
months ago Gibson described herself as ‘the Queen of the placings’ after several near misses, so what has led
to the winning run? “I’ve got an excellent little horse, and that’s the most important thing,” said
Gibson.
“The
other reason is probably that I’ve become more savvy at riding a race and been prepared to push on, but you do need
so much luck in these events. Loose horses can take you out, or another runner can slip and send you sprawling. You never
know what’s going to happen, but that’s half the fun – it’s a lottery.
“I’ve
ridden in two point-to-points and finished third on Piper in the Quorn members’ race [at Garthorpe], and while that
type of racing is great fun I prefer the variables of racing across country. You get a tremendous feel from your horse when
you meet a fence on the right stride and then soar over it.”
Comparing
the Hayes Golden Button course to the other major hunt rides, Gibson said: “The Melton has the biggest fences –
you need a really good jumping horse. The Harborough is the longest and the going is wonderful, while the Golden Button is
probably the quickest. It’s a magic race over a fantastic course.”
Gibson
was due to travel from her home today (Tuesday) with fellow competitor Richard Walker and is staying overnight near
the course. Tomorrow morning (Wednesday) she will be a guest on BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s breakfast programme
at about 8.20am. Tune in on 104.7FM or 1413AM, 95FM in Stroud and 95.8FM in Cirencester.
Incidentally,
Gibson runs a business trading in leather belts. Check out her website www.peachybelts.co.uk.
Human runners can join in, too
It is not
just horses that will be running along the banks of the River Severn at this year’s Hayes Golden Button Challenge. Humans
can take part, too.
A cross-country
race from Forthampton to Town Street Farm will take place between the Golden Button and the JCB Diggers Inter-Hunt Challenge.
All competitors
must have registered and collected a number by 11am, but you can enter on the day.
The entry
fee is £20, but there is a £100 voucher from Club Sport of Ledbury to the winner, while the first man and first woman will
each receive a bottle of bubbly.
There’s
no finer way to see out the old year, so get your running shoes on!
News 30-12-08
No frost
today (Tuesday), says Warner
Despite
temperatures that dropped below freezing on Monday night, the Hayes Golden Button Challenge course was free of frost
this morning (Tuesday).
Clerk
of the course Roger Warner said: “It’s looking good. I’ve been around the course this morning, and while
the air is very cold there is no frost and no jar in the ground. The going remains good over most of the course.”
News Carl Evans 29-12-08
Dry spell has
really helped, says Warner
Roger Warner, clerk of the course at the Hayes Golden Button Challenge, has had his prayers answered by the weather gods in recent
weeks.
The going was
looking decidedly moist in early December, but recent unseasonably dry weather has altered much of the ground to ‘good’,
and removed any threat that the adjacent River Severn could rise over its banks.
Warner says: “It’s amazingly dry, and certainly better than
in the previous two runnings of the event.
“There is one slightly wetter field – about half-way round
after crossing the lane – but the rest of the going is ‘good’.
“The fences are all finished and flagged and the course is looking
in wonderful condition. Frost could be a problem, but it is raceable today and we’re keeping fingers crossed.”
This year’s Hayes Golden Button Challenge and JCB Diggers Inter-Hunt
Challenge are being run over a reverse of the course used in the past. That means the focus of the event, including the check-in
area, finish, refreshments and all vehicle parking is now at Warner’s home, Town Street Farm, which has easier road
access than the previous site at Forthampton.
Competitors in the two equine events will circle at Town Street then hack
to the start along the lane that runs adjacent to the course and through Chaceley.
Warner says: “Once again the first fence is a straightforward set
of bales that is now followed by a parallel oxer right on the river bank. The first hedges are fences four, five, six and
seven.
"For spectators the best place to watch is probably the finish, where you
will be able to see the final five fences, including a big hedge out of an orchard. For those who would like to park their
car and take a walk down the course, fences 18 to 21 will provide good viewing although you will be able to see them in the
distance from the finish.
Matt wears judge’s hat
Racehorse trainer Matt Sheppard, who is based at Eastnor near Ledbury, will act as judge at this year’s Hayes Golden Button Challenge.
As an amateur rider Sheppard enjoyed a highlight when winning the 1988
John Corbet Cup at Stratford on Deep Prospect, trained by Mercy Rimell, and he subsequently made a successful transition to
training.
His wife, Nicki, trains pointers and is a regular member of the Ledbury
Hunt field, and their son Stan is a member of the local pony racing fraternity.
Ferrari ready to rev up for William
Estate agent William Grant would be more than happy to shake hands and accept a Ledbury Golden Button from a representative of rival property
vendors Hayes.
A keen team chaser and hunt ride competitor, Grant finished ninth in last
year’s Hayes Golden Button Challenge and then crossed the line first in the JCB Diggers Inter-Hunt Challenge –
sadly the rest of his team from the Wilton failed to complete the course so his effort was in vain.
His mount in that ‘victory’, Fox Grant Ferrari, has subsequently
been upped in grade and will take part in the main event this year. Speaking on Boxing Day, while riding Ferrari at a very
well attended meet of the Wilton Hunt near Salisbury, William said: “We finished sixth in the Melton Hunt Ride in November,
and if I can lose a few pounds before the Hayes Golden Button I might get closer to the winner’s spot. Ferrari has shown
he likes the Ledbury course so I’m hopeful of a good spin.” (closest to camera below).
News Carl Evans 19-12-08
Top Gear's Richard Hammond
accepts starter's role
BBC Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond will act as starter at the third Hayes Golden
Button Challenge.
Hammond forged a link with the organising Ledbury Hunt earlier this year when Top Gear
staged a mock hunt in which Jeremy Clarkson was the quarry in a four-wheel drive vehicle.
The script required 'The
Hamster' to join the hunters, but he had very little riding experience until given a fast-track series of lessons
by local event rider Tor Brewer. Hammond proved a fast learner and managed to stay in the saddle during the chase, although
he admitted it was more terrifying than being chased by bulls in Pamplona.
Hammond has a hard act to follow in his role
with the white flag - last year's starter was seven-time champion jump jockey John Francome.
The three-mile
Hayes Golden Button Challenge has attracted 40 entries, including one for former Cheltenham Festival
winner Frenchman’s Creek, and one for Murphy, an Irish hunter who is bidding to win the Golden
Button given to the first heavyweight – he landed the prize last year, when owner Colin Thompson from
Powys rode at 24st!
Last year’s overall winner, World Wide Web, who is trained near Tewkesbury
by Mick and Heather Ridley, will take part again, this time carrying their son, James.
The Hayes Golden Button Challenge
starts at 11am on New Year's Eve and will be complemented by a human cross-country race and an inter-hunt
event for teams of four - six teams are expected to line up. The race starts in Forthampton and finishes at Town Street
Farm, Tirley, a reverse of the route in previous years.
Refreshments and parking are available at the finish
– entry for the public is £10 per car, or £5 for single occupancy.
Panda puts faith in Frenchman’s
A
Cheltenham Festival winner who became a fast learner in eventing makes his debut in the Hayes Golden Button Challenge on New
Year’s Eve.
Frenchman’s Creek, who is rising 15, won the William Hill Handicap Chase at Cheltenham
in March 2002, and one month later finished third to Bounce Back in the Whitbread Gold Cup (now Betfred Gold Cup) at Sandown
Park.
Throughout his racing career Frenchman’s Creek carried the colours of Panda Christie and her
brother, Rory Sweet, stepchildren of the horse’s breeder/trainer Hughie Morrison. When retired from racing the gelding
moved to Panda’s home in Gloucestershire for a crack at another equestrian discipline.
Panda says: “I evented
him for two seasons and he did pretty well, reaching 2-star and going from pre-novice to intermediate in the first year. Eventually
he decided he wasn’t so keen on jumping into water, and because I wanted a hunter he went hunting instead.
“He’s
in his first season, and although he was a bit buzzy the first time, and still does little half rears, he’s settled
down pretty well. He does need to be near the front.”
Ask Panda why she decided to take part in the Hayes Golden
Button Challenge, and she says: “Insanity! Apart from that I know this is the right horse to do it on. I live near [racehorse
trainer] Kim Bailey and use his gallops once a week, and I hunt with the Cotswold or Heythrop, so he’s pretty fit.”
News - Carl Evans 12-12-08
Murphy ready to scale heights for Thomson
Colin Thomson is in training for the
2008 Hayes Golden Button Challenge, and that is good news for his trusty partner, Murphy.
A contender for the title of
‘leading heavyweight’, Thomson says: “Murphy won’t be carrying under 20st –
he carried 24st last year when we competed in the inter-hunt team event, but I’ve lost 14lb recently and I’m going
on a blitz next week.”
Asked whether the culinary treats of Christmas could put the kibosh on his dietary plan, Thomson
says: “That won’t be a problem – I’ll starve for three or four days to make up for it.”
Based
in the Powys village of Glasbury on Wye, Thomson is one of seven contenders from the Golden Valley Hunt who expect to take
part in the New Year’s Eve charge across country
He says: “I rode in the inter-hunt event
last year [sponsored by JCB Diggers], but we’ve got three spares this time, so I’m going into
the main event with Philip Gough and Huw Evans Bevan.
“I’m 53 and a contender for the heavyweight race, and
Philip is 55 and up for the veterans’ title, so we’re going to creep around at the back. Huw is riding another
of my horses, Jonesy, who is far too good for me and could run really well.”
A former hotelier who now declares himself
“a house husband – I look after four horses and three children under eight”, Thomson was given half a crown
(12½p) as a boy of five, so took himself off to a local riding school for a lesson.
“My parents ran a hotel in Swindon
Old Town and the riding school was nearby,” he says. “They just let me loose in this big park owned by the Goddard
family – I was bucked off three times.”
Undeterred, Thomson went back for more, became a competent rider and
has been hunting “on and off since 1987”. He says of Murphy: “I bought him from Roger Rimmer, who has a
livery yard near Liverpool. He gave me a choice of two horses for a day with the Cheshire Farmers, and I picked Murphy. With
three different riders per week hirelings can get a bit stale, but he’s really pinging now.
“I had never done
any sort of race across country until I took part in last year’s event, and when I finished I was absolutely knackered.
I couldn’t believe I had got round. It helps that the course is flat, because if it was hilly I wouldn’t think
about taking part.
News - Carl Evans 25-11-08
Humans and horses
get ready to run
The third Ledbury Hunt Hayes Golden Button Challenge will involve a race for human runners when
it is staged on New Year’s Eve, 2008.
Athletes from the Ledbury Harriers’ Club will run a circular route taking
them close to the banks of the River Severn. Their race will be held between the two equine events, the Hayes Golden Button
Challenge and the inter-hunt competition for teams of four.
In another change to the schedule, the two challenges for horses
are being run in reverse this year, starting in the village of Forthampton and ending at Town Street Farm, Tirley, the home
of clerk of the course Roger Warner.
There will also be a minimum weight of 11st 7lb for the first time. Riders who are
lighter than that when standing with their saddles on a set of scales will have to carry a weight cloth with lead to bring
their weight up to the minimum.
Race organiser David Redvers says: “The second running of the Hayes
Golden Button Challenge built on the success of the first, and we’re hoping the third event will be another wonderful
spectacle. The sight of horses and riders galloping across the Ledbury Hunt’s wonderful vale country is always a sight
to remember, and provides great entertainment for the many hundreds who attend.
“We may have to limit numbers,
so urge competitors to get their entries in soon.”
The closing date for both equine events is Friday, December 19
on a first-come-first-served basis – entries for the Hayes Golden Button Challenge cost £70 per horse, while inter-hunt
challenge teams pay £200. All entrants are offered hunting on New Year’s Day with the Ledbury Hunt. Entry for the public
will be £10 per car, or £5 for a single occupant.
Stabling can be arranged for long-distance travellers who wish to
stay overnight. For further details contact the Hayes Golden Button Challenge secretary Louise Daly, Brainge, Putley, Ledbury,
Herefordshire, HR8 2RD.Telephone 07721 956599
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