Debut ride sees Emma push close for victory

We featured Emma and her horse, Blue, in Country Week recently during their training for the race, which takes place near Market Weighton on the third Thursday in March. It is run over four-and-a-half miles of Wolds farm tracks, fields and grass verges and is a fiercely-fought race.

Emma, from Otley, who hunts and team chases with her 17hh Irish hunter, had never done anything like this before. In the event, she came very close to winning.

We asked her to describe what it felt like to take part.

“Twelve horses and riders lined up to run in the 492nd Kiplingcotes Derby.

“Nerves were palpable as we lined up before the starter. You could have heard a pin drop. Just the clink of bit and bridle and the restless stamp of of feet as horses jostled for the best position on the narrow strip of grass verge.

“I had my eyes firmly fixed on the starter’s hand and the white handkerchief he held above his head. My heart was racing. Suddenly the handkerchief was dropped and before it hit the ground my horse, Blue, surged forwards into a full gallop and I was suddenly in the lead.

“We flew along the verge to the first road crossing – I could see a crowd of people at either side and some were waving a warning to slow down for the tarmac, but my horse had the bit between his teeth and was flying.

“We crossed over onto the next verge and faced a long climb up to a further road crossing. I managed a quick look over my shoulder and could see the other competitors close on my tail.

“Blue galloped over the second road and then picked up more speed as we raced downhill and over the Kiplingcotes bridge, hooves throwing up sparks.

“There was a brief flash of people waving and cheering and then we were on the green lane, a twisty nightmare of deep ruts that could twist a horse’s legs and bring him down. I held my breath and gave my horse his head, trusting him to carry me over.

“At last we were past, still in one piece and still in the lead. Now we only had the last climb up to the final road crossing to face and there was a sudden commotion of shouting voices as Sally Ireland and John Thirsk began to yell at their horses to encourage them to overtake me. Blue flattened his ears and galloped harder but, as we hit the last road, Sally switched sides and came up on my inside.

“We were flat out with the winning post in sight as Blue and Sally’s horse, Charlie, battled it out to the finish.

“I was close to exhaustion and Blue was now tiring, but as we swept past the cheering crowds Sally pulled ahead by a length and took the prize. John was very close behind me and it was, according to the organisers, the tightest finish in years.”

Thrilled with second, Emma says she and Blue will return next year.

They will also soon be making an appearance on the BBC’s Countryfile programme.