No sport for a girl? It's painful for the boys too

THE postponement of yet another point-to-point meeting last weekend was a blow for course builder, organiser and top vet Anthony Stirk.

He has worked tirelessly in his quest to find a venue for the West of Yore after losing Hornby Castle some years ago. Both he and clerk of the course, Fiona Needham, put in countless hours setting up the Ripon course last week.

The only bonus to come out of the meeting's unexpected cancellation was the rare opportunity it gave some of us jockeys to enjoy a night out. My social life generally evaporates to nothing more than odd trips to the gym during the season. When a chance to let our hair down does transpire, most jockeys will throw as much energy into socialising as they do in to winning a race.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This can certainly be said for one of my partners in crime on Saturday evening, good friend and social butterfly, Alison Pocklington, who won the Yorkshire Novice Championship last season. Her title came after winning a succession of races on a horse I sold her as a hunter, schoolmaster Texas Ranger. The 38-year-old mother of two defied 33-1 odds, storming home in the Bedale Hunt Race last season by an amazing 17 lengths.

She rewarded her loyal supporters and members of the Texas Rangers fan club (he actually has an official site) by performing her rendition of a song she called "Texxy was a Racehorse" at the annual awards dinner in front of 300 guests. Ali's performance was likenedby someone to that

of a love-sick tom cat. She took a bow to a standing ovation…or three.

I admire anyone eager to make the most out of life, who will try anything.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

My maiden jockey seems to be progressing steadily. I thought it would be useful to make him ride without stirrups in order to improve his natural balance. I was impressed to notice he'd really worked up a sweat. Little did I realise the intense frown was in fact a grimace of pain, from his nether regions throbbing in agony following the sitting trot. When his mates found out they bought him a padded jock strap.

I am in no position to judge other people's performance, after my first ride in a race some years ago. My parents were not enthused when I told them I intended to take up racing and give up show jumping.

Peter offered to buy me a wheelchair instead of a point-to-pointer. "It's no sport for a girl," he said, making me more determined than ever. I promptly went to the sales and bought an ex-chaser to ride.

I was tailed off by the second circuit in my first race. One gentleman, thinking all the runners had passed, set off walking across the course just as I came over the hill. On seeing him my horse snorted, shied and jumped straight over the railings into a car park full of picnickers, niftily depositing me on a tray of tuna and cucumber sandwiches.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hoping that would be the end of my ambitions, my parents were disappointed to find I'd booked a course of lessons and started riding out at Sue Smith's yard. The next season we won the race.

Dad led the horse up, resigned to the fact he may as well enjoy the sport I had no intention of giving up.

This weekend we head to Witton Castle for the Old Raby where I ride two horses, both for the Yorkshire Point to Point Club, one is very keen, so my arms may be three inches longer by the time I reach the starting post. I aim to hold him back, but if you see me 20 lengths clear by the second fence you can tear up that betting slip.

Yorkshire champion lady jockey Jo Foster trains horses at Brookleigh Farm, Menston, West Yorkshire.

Related topics: