Hannah Welch, 11, is the early leader in the Synderborough Farms sponsored Devon and Cornwall area pony racing points championship.

Hannah Welch, 11, is the early leader in the Synderborough Farms sponsored Devon and Cornwall area pony racing points championship, having won the 138cm race at Black Forest Lodge in fine style.The pony races only went ahead after some hard work from the hosts, the Mid Devon Hunt point to point committee, as the spell of wet weather made the ground very testing and the fixture was in doubt right up until the previous afternoon. In the end both courses were shortened to 7f for the 138s and 9 and a half furlongs for the 148s.Nine went to post for both races, Hannah leading the 138s throughout on her new pony Bronze Lawrence. The placings were also taken up by experienced riders on new ponies - three of the first four home qualified with the Dartmoor Hunt. Second was Victoria Sleep, 11, from the Lamerton on Newook Second Thought, and Barnaby Treneer on Talponciau Perfect Print produced a storming finish to get home for third from Pippa Glanville on Ravara Super Ted. The nine 148s had to ride sensibly as it was a long course on testing ground and the first three home started to break away from the pack at the top of the first hill. It was won by Joe Ponting, 12, on Starlight Express and it was the ecstatic Joe's first win, making their early start and long journey worthwhile. Joe has ridden in a lot of pony races but previously had a very difficult pony. Buckfastleigh rider Bryony Frost, 13, was second on last year's leading Devon and Cornwall pony Jack Sparrow, with another visitor, Freddy Tett, 15, from the Craven Hunt, third on Tarka II.The next meeting will be held at Buckfastleigh on March 8. Results138: 1, Bronze Lawrence Hannah Welch; 2, Newook Second Thought Victoria Sleep; 3, Talponciau Perfect Print Barnaby Treneer; 4, Ravara Super Ted Pippa Glanville. Nine ran, 7L 5L 2.10148: 1, Starlight Express Joe Ponting; 2, Jack Sparrow Bryony Frost; 3, Tarka II Freddy Tett; 4, Gwen Charley Long. Nine ran, 1.5L 2L 2.52.