Charlotte keeps dad waiting for milestone win

His current tally is 98 and it might have been more last weekend if he had not just missed winning the veterans' and novice riders' race at the Sinnington point-to-point.

For once, he did not mind settling for second place, for the winner was his daughter, Charlotte.

"It was great. I was definitely trying to win and I thought I had won but she just beat me in the last few strides," said Chris.

It was Charlotte's first success and all the sweeter because, after a very bad fall three years ago, she did not know if she would be able to ride again.

Charlotte, 25, was schooling a horse cross-country at home when she fell off, breaking her back.

An operation at Hull Infirmary involved inserting into her spine metal work, which was later removed. Charlotte gradually began to start riding again, with help from her mother, Catherine, and last summer started to do some eventing and then some point-to-points.

She now also rides out for the Malton trainer Richard Fahey and last Saturday she had her first ride on the Flat at Wolverhampton, followed by the point-to-point at Duncombe Park on Sunday.

How does her father feel about her competing after such a serious accident?

"It would be the pot calling the kettle black if I told her not to ride," said Chris, who suffered head injuries 19 years ago after a fall at the Bedale point-to-point and could not ride for some time afterwards.

"I keep saying I'll retire when I get to 100 winners. I just ride my own horses now and while I enjoy it, I'd like to carry on. I would like to ride a winner when I'm 60," said Chris, who is a vet covering the Scarborough area and who lives in Sherburn.

His horses, Major Shark and Smart Thinker, which he and Charlotte rode last weekend, are trained by Mary Sowersby at Goodmanham, near Market Weighton.

Both father and daughter have entered for this weekend's point-to-point at Sheriff Hutton, although not in the same race. But they might well be in competition again in the next veteran and newcomer's race which will be at the Staintondale meeting at Easter.

Point-to-pointing obviously runs in the family. Back in 1924, Charlotte's great grandmother, Jessie Sanderson, won the first ladies race held at the Sinnington point-to-point.

The Yorkshire Area Point-to-Point will take place on Sunday, at the third attempt, at Mick Easterby's farm at Sheriff Hutton. The previous two had to be cancelled because of bad weather.

This weekend also sees the Brocklesby point-to-point, which is being held at Brocklesby Park, Habrough which is just off the A18 near Humberside airport. The first of seven races begins at 12 noon.

THE North East Driving Trials group held an 'introduction to carriage driving' day at Follifoot Park Stables near Harrogate at the weekend.

Ken Walmsley and Pat Cooper demonstrated the correct way to harness horses to various types of carriages. Members of the audience were then invited to try driving for themselves.

The club will be holding its fifth indoor driving competition of the season at Ledston Equine Centre tomorrow and spectators are welcome to go along.

Members of Northallerton Riding Club competed in the Area 4 qualifier, junior and senior novice indoor show-jumping held at Bishop Burton.

Northallerton C were placed first in the juniors and qualify for the NAF Novice Indoor Show Jumping Championships at Hartpury College on

April 3 and 4.

Their team members were Catherine Hartston riding Atlas, Harriet Bagley on Bumble and Hollie Brown riding Stadmorslow Red and Castle Hill Bobby.

Northallerton A were placed second and also qualify for Hartpury.

The team was Heather Bellis, riding Pebbles, Lucy Winn on Craegh Mazeppa, Christie Farren riding Ballycahane Lad and Aimee Gascoigne riding Bronty.

The Northallerton B team of Robyn Chilton, Leanne Anderson, Grace Lumley and Jake Clark were placed sixth.

Northallerton B were second in the seniors and qualify for the Hartpury event. Team members were Michael Raper riding True Blue, Carly Stephenson on Jester, Christine Swiers riding Mr Alfresco and Kathryn Williams riding Friars Lucky Penny.

LEADING event rider Oliver Townend is to receive more support from TRM, who announced a new sponsorship deal this week.

This will include Townend's choice of TRM supplements for his entire string of horses. The company are his long-time sponsors.