Emma has sights on Derby with a difference

The race in question is the Kiplingcotes Derby, Britain’s oldest and most unusual Flat race. It is thought to date back to 1519 and takes place on the third Thursday in March at Kiplingcotes near Market Weighton. The course runs over four-and-a-half miles of Wolds farm tracks, fields and grass verges.

It is not for the faint-hearted. Thirteen riders took part last year – two of them fell, one breaking her wrist. The winner, John Thirsk, described conditions as “a bit scary.” A joiner from Holme-on-Spalding Moor, he has won the race three times.

“I read about the race a couple of years ago, it’s unique to Yorkshire and I just decided I wanted to do it and be part of a centuries old tradition,” said Emma. “I have a good horse, he’s a great galloper. I have hunted him since he was four and he’s used to all terrain.”

Anybody can enter the race, all they have to do is turn up at the starting post by 11.0am on the day. Riders must weigh in at 10 stones, excluding saddle, which means that Emma, who weighs nothing like that, will have to carry weights. She is spending every spare minute working on Blue’s fitness with the help of her sister, Amanda. She has also been given some extra time off for training by IT company Claritas Solutions, where she is a contract manager.

“I’m not just going for the hack, I want to do well at it,” says Emma. She lives in Otley and hunts with the Badsworth and Bramham Moor. She says she took a bit of a gamble when she bought Blue, 10, from a dealer when he was four.

“He was thin and poor and I felt sorry for him. But he’s turned into my horse of a lifetime. He’s even taken my daughter to Pony Club camp. He can gallop and gallop and I think he’ll give them a run for their money. I’m going to be a complete rookie – I haven’t even been to watch the race.”

Competitors ride up to the start and then gallop the four-and-a-half miles back over the varied terrain which includes road crossings. The closest Emma has been to this distance was riding Blue in the Melton hunt race, which is four miles.

While thousands of people are watching the racing at the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival that week, in a corner of East Yorkshire all eyes will be on a much more rough and ready but equally exciting event.

“It will be great to say I did it. It would be like winning the Grand National to me if I did win,” said Emma.

Under the bizarre rules, the runner-up usually receives more prize money than the winner. And there is no betting. It’s not so much the winning but the taking part that counts.

NORTH Yorkshire company TopSpec won the Nutritional Helpline of the Year award for the fifth year running at the recent BETA Business Awards dinner.

Well known for its horse feed and supplements, the company also provides advice for owners through its helpline. “Feeding horses and ponies has become a very confusing subject for many owners and we try to help people make the right decision for them and their horse,” said Nicola Tyler, of TopSpec.

RUN 10k and help raise funds for World Horse Welfare. The charity is looking for 12 volunteers who would like to take part in the British 10k event in London and raise some money for them.

The race is on Sunday, July 10 and goes through the heart of London. Competitors start at Hyde Park, pass landmarks including Big Ben and finish in Whitehall.

Over 25,000 runners will be involved including a number of celebrities. Each person who runs for World Horse Welfare is asked to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship.

A race pack and a running top will be sent to each entrant.

For more details go to www.worldhorsewelfare.org.