Tarka home by a neck

Published: 8:55 AM March 15, 2010 Updated: 11:12 AM November 7, 2020

BRYONY FROST got her pony Tarka home by a neck in a blanket finish to the Dart Vale and Haldon Harriers 148cm pony race.

BRYONY FROST got her pony Tarka home by a neck in a blanket finish to the Dart Vale and Haldon Harriers' 148cm pony race.

Tarka, who is trained just a few miles away from the course, was bouncing back to form after a shock defeat the previous week by Total Eclipse (Rachel Leyshon) and was coaxed home ahead of visiting rider Ben Price, 13, on Frantic Fox who had alarmed paddock spectators by a bucking display. Frantic Fox is qualified with the Quantock Staghounds by Price who attends Brymer School.

Henry Armstrong, whose pony Ivory Girl slipped up on the bend at South Devon, had a much better run this time five lengths back in third pressed all the time by Chloe Grove on Flareon. There were good runs too from Clover Jess (Chester Williams) and Barbar's Arbour, ridden for the first time by Hugo Hunt.

In the opening 138cm race Buckfastleigh rider Barnaby Treneer, 10, on Talonciau Perfect Print almost got the better of his cousin Hannah Welch, 12, but she completed a seasonal hat-trick by hanging on by a length at the post. Bejowans Bouquet was up with the pace early on and finished five lengths third and Fudge (Anna Wotton) , who gets more enthusiastic every race was fourth.

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Pony racing is open to everyone and easily achievable by any pony in regular exercise, ie hunting. It is particularly accessible for the 138 height group. If you want to have a go, the next point to point pony races will be held at the Eggesford meeting at Upcott Cross on April 11. For more information on pony racing go to www.pra.gb.com and for Devon and Cornwall information www.devon24.co.uk/ponyracing

Results: 138: 1, Bronze Lawrance, Hannah Welch; 2, Talponciau Perfect Print, Barnaby Treneer; 3, Bejowans bouquet, Heidi Lewis; 4, Fudge, Anna Wotton. Four ran, 1l, 5l, 1.33.