Bells are ringing for Cawood’s big dates

What seemed like a good idea last autumn suddenly appears somewhat daunting.

But you sense the 25-year-old will be just fine – Cawood is already targeting a 2014 return and planning next year’s Badminton around her wedding!

Cawood will take her home-bred horse Alfie to the final of the BE90 Mitsubishi Motors Grassroots Championships which begins on Wednesday, May 1.

The duo qualified for the event at British Eventing’s new fixture at Frickley Park last September where the combination won the BE90 regional final, finishing on their dressage mark of 25.5.

Cawood, who works in Pontefract for sweets giant Haribo, instantly set about inviting her friends and family to Badminton, including boyfriend Jim.

Seven months on, the Yorkshire farmer is Cawood’s fiance with a 2014 wedding in the pipeline.

But not in May, with ambitious Cawood keen to keep the year’s fifth month free in the hope that this year’s trip to Badminton might not be the last, even if the marketing ace is a little nervous.

Cawood told the Yorkshire Post: “Last September we won the regionals and it seemed like a really good idea to invite everyone to come.

“Now everyone is coming along and I’m like panicking thinking it’s only three weeks away. I’m starting to think maybe I shouldn’t have invited them all!

“There’s about 15 going down – mainly family, with some friends – and I’m really excited but I’m more nervous than I would have been just because of how the weather has been.

“I’ve just not had as much chance to get him out as various things keep getting cancelled.

“That increases the nerves really because then you don’t really know where you are at compared to how everyone else is doing and how many runs they have had.

“I’ve never been to Badminton before and this is just a really, really good opportunity for me.

“I’m just so excited to be able to compete at such a massive international competition with all the top four-star riders there.

“It’s nice when you talk to people because they know what it is so rather than saying ‘we are doing this and we are doing that’, everyone knows when you say Badminton. They know what it is.”

Cawood’s rise has been all the more remarkable given that the Givendale-born star only began competing with British Eventing in 2011.

The Sheffield Hallam University graduate has ridden since she was little but two factors have allowed her talents to blossom, dedicated mum Sharon and an equine partner in Alfie, who Cawood describes as a “once-in-a-lifetime.”

“When we bought Alfie we didn’t buy anything expensive or anything,” said Cawood.

“He was cheap and cheerful sort of thing! He was four, totally just broken and you couldn’t do anything else with him – you couldn’t really trot or canter.

“But he has just turned out being really, really special – total pot luck – and hard work.

“He’s a once-in-a-lifetime horse. My mum also does so much for me because I work full time in Pontefract.

“I do a lot of travelling though I ride every night after work when the clocks change but through winter she meets me at like indoor schools or I have lessons with Zoe Rymer so she will meet me there.

“She’s been fantastic.

“Dad’s great as well but more in a hands off sort of way. But he’s always made sure we kept going and got what we need.”

That has now included a second horse, recent four-year-old purchase Herbie, who Cawood hopes to event later this year. If Alfie is the present then Herbie is the future.

That future will see Cawood become a married woman but May was soon scratched as an available option.

She might be nervous but Cawood already fancies a 2014 Badminton return.

“We got engaged while we were skiing in Austria just over a month ago so we are planning a wedding at the moment.” said an excited Cawood.

“That will be next June but I keep saying that I need to keep Badminton week free next year. Just in case I qualify Herbie. It’s a big ask but, just in case, I better keep it free!”

Rosie out to make amends for fall by storming Hornby Castle event

Rosie Du Berlais could bid to atone for a recent fall as the Yorkshire Area Point-to-Point season continues at the Bedale point-to-point meeting at Hornby Castle today.

A seven-race card begins at 1.30pm, one hour after a prelude of pony racing.

And among the afternoon’s most interesting point-to-point entries is Rosie Du Berlais in the restricted race.

Rosie Du Berlais was travelling sweetly at Middleton until tipping up after a circuit but the recent faller could face stiff opposition from Castley Lane, who could bid to follow up on his maiden win at Whitcliffe Grange two weeks ago.

Ban Uisce looks the outstanding contender for the opening confined race while Hennessy should be a major player in the hunt race for Rees Morgan Murphy.

The Ladies Open could be a typically competitive renewal in which Palypso De Creek and Nippy Des Mottes are both entered with the smart Drom entered in the men’s equivalent.

The maiden race has been divided into two with Can’t Call It and Never Forget Poppy likely contenders for the first division.

Onelastgo and High Covert will then have plenty of supporters in the second race.

Admission is £10 per person or if there are more than three in the car the cost is £25.

With the horse racing Flat season underway, equine enthusiasts can combine the Sport of Kings with equestrian thanks to the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials’ link-up with Beverley Racecourse.

Anybody calling Beverley with their Bramham booking number can claim a £5 discount off entry to racing at Beverley from June 12.

Anyone holding a 2013 Beverley Racecourse ticket can also get 20 per cent off a ticket (not camping) to the Horse Trials.

Those interested need to call the Box Office between May 1 and May 29 with their Beverley booking number.

This year sees the Bramham International Horse Trials celebrating their 40th anniversary with the event taking place between Thursday, June 6 and Sunday, June 9.