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Review of 2005

The Point to Point season got off to a great start when Just For Now ran at Larkhill on the 9th of January and was a very pleasing third behind Moon Shine Surprise and Trade Off.

He ran again three weeks later and connections were really disappointed when he finished fifth. On returning to the lorry it was obvious that he was lame and fearing the worse we got him home as quickly as possible. It turned out that he had badly injured his shoulder when another horse bumped him during the race. The injury meant that he spent nine weeks off the track, during which time the whole team at Upper Wick Stables worked tirelessly to get him right. He went out again to Barbury Castle on Grand National Day, and won really well. A special mention must go to vet Ian Cam and equine sports masseur Merran Mac Lachlan, with out whose help I would have struggled to get the horse back to winning form.

Just For Now has now moved on to Tom George (No relation) to run under rules. I wish him and his owners every success. Just for Now will always be really special to me as together with Polly Gundry, I went to Ireland and chose this horse as an untried four year old and it has given me great pleasure and satisfaction to produce him to be a winner and to have Polly on board to ride him.

Just For Now. Winners Enclosure Tedworth Point to Point

Just For Now and Polly Gundry Jumping The Last

Photos by Linda Charles

Rushing Again sadly became a victim of his own success from the 2004 season. His connections decided that he was to have a Hunter Chase campaign this season. On his very best form Rushie is a 10 stone 5 lb horses, not really good enough to be up again 11 stone horses week after week. He tried his best, but unfortunately his connection lost heart and I was instructed to sell him at the end of the season.

All the staff at home very sadly miss Rushie as he was a great favourite, especially of mine as he got me into the magic winners enclosure at Cheltenham when he was fourth in The Colin Nash Memorial Hunter Chase at the evening meeting in 2004. He was labelled by some as ungenuine, nothing could be further from the truth, he was simply a moderate horse, who now and again managed to pull out something special. I hope he is happy in his new home.

The stable enigma, The Maverick managed just two runs again and has now been retired from racing. He remains at Upper Wick Stables and has become the lead horse for schooling, a job he relishes.

Regal Storm got off to a steady start at Garnons in March. He followed that up by managing to unseat three different jockeys in three races. Contrary to how that makes it look, the horse is actually a very good jumper. He finally managed to keep his jockey on top for a whole race at Maismore and finished a good second. I am very excited about him for the coming season.

In April sent my brood mare Panto’s Pride to New Mill Farm Stud to be covered by Generosity. Generosity spent nearly two years at Upper Wick stables being rehabilitated following a serious tendon injury sustained while racing, when trained by Dr Philip Pritchard. Following his recovery he returned to racing and later was sold to stand at stud. Generosity is by Generous and was himself a successful performer on the flat, winning four races and being placed ten times, reaching a rating of 109.

The foal is due on 24th April 2006.

During the spring and summer months Sarah Hitchings, Karen Detheridge, Hilary Meacham and myself along with horses, The Maverick, Czarko, Diamond and Destiny had great fun attending fun rides all over Gloucestershire and the surrounding counties. We were also joined on occasions by my niece Allison George and her pony Bryony.

Alison George on Bryony and Sarah on Destiny

The summer was also a busy time starting young horses, from racehorses to potential dressage horses.

In June I had great fun crewing for Karen Detheridge at Cirencester Park Endurance Ride. Karen and Czarko have had a great season. They have completed three 50 km rides and one 65 km ride, gaining a grade I in all of them and have now upgraded to advanced. Congratulations to both horse and rider on this achievement.

Czarko has been coming to stay with me since he was a two year old. Firstly to be started and later for schooling and in recent years, he has come to stay regularly for additional fittening work leading up to endurance rides.

Karen and Czarko competing at an Endurance Ride

In September I received the very sad news of the death of Steven Hanney. Steve was a very loyal owner and good friend to Team Green Horses and to me personally. I first got to know Steve when he brought Generosity to Upper Wick Stables for some rehabilitation work and I had the great pleasure of training Maori Chief to win for him. In May of 2004 I accompanied him to Doncaster to purchase Regal Storm.

Steve was a great owner to have. He will be very sadly missed by all at Team Green Horses.

In October Hilary Meacham’s two lovely horses left us to return to a yard nearer her home in London. I have thourghly enjoyed looking after Tara and Diamond and will miss Hilary’s company when exercising.

Hilary and Tara out Autumn Hunting.

In November I took my two mares Panto’s Pride and Destiny to The British Warm Blood Society mare grading at Hartpury College. Both mares graded into the main studbook, and received vary good marks and comments from the two German judges.

Panto's Pride

November also saw Alpenstock join us for the forthcoming Pont to Point season. He will run in the colours of Mr Dick Grant.

The year ended with a busy spell qualifying Regal Storm and Alpenstock with the Berkeley for the forthcoming season.