Relaxed approach beginning to pay off for point-to-point trainer

He volunteered to ride out for people locally, around Scrayingham near Stamford Bridge, and bought himself a Shire cross called Norman for hunting.

“When we first started hunting, with the Middleton and the Sinnington, we demolished more than we jumped,” says Andy cheerfully.

He still describes himself as “lethal” on the hunting field.

“It was a lot of fun and I got more interested in point-to-points as a result,” said Andy.

He bought his first point-to-point horse, Master Flash, eight years ago and admits it was a big learning curve. This season he hopes to fulfill his ambition of setting up a syndicate of people who would like to get involved with his horses, involved being the operative word.

“I’ve got four horses to race this season and my aim is to get 10 people into the syndicate for £500 each,” said Andy.

One of the few true amateurs left in point-to-pointing, he trains on a shoe-string budget and has several jockeys and work riders who help him.

“It’s not about the money, it’s about the craic,” is his mantra and it seems to be working. Two people have already signed up to be part of the syndicate and they will also be helping to ride out and lending a hand at the races.

“Being in the heart of the Middleton hunt country sets us up for training horses,” says Andy. “We use a local farmer’s field for galloping – the biggest obstacle is sneaking through the gate while it is unlocked!

“Alternatively, we start the schooling early and access by hunt jump or hedge.”

All this may be slightly tongue in cheek, but he takes great pride in his horses and works hard. He runs a marquee hire business, Malton Marquees, which always sponsored a jockey for National Hunt racing.

The jockeys in turn have helped him with advice and this season the up-and-coming amateur jockey, Will Milburn, will be riding for him. They are hoping for success with Adin Abroad who won her maiden race at the York and Ainsty meeting at Easingwold last year.

They also have high hopes of Queen of the Blues who is from the same family as Denman. She started her career in the Burghley Young Event Horses classes, ridden by Charlotte Cundall. Last year Queen of the Blues made her debut at the Holderness point-to-point in March and was placed fourth.

“Yorkshire is the most competitive place for point-to-points, it’s the toughest place to win,” added Andy, who recently launched a website – www.pasturefarmracing.com – which gives some basic background about his training regime and facilities.

The first point-to-point meeting of the season in Yorkshire will be at Sheriff Hutton on January 15. Keep an eye open for Adin Abroad.

Hambleton District Show is to hold a Cuddy Supreme In Hand qualifier for the Horse of the Year Show.

“This is only the second qualifier to be awarded between Nottingham and Scotland, which is wonderful for the North of England,” said Margaret Dawson, one of the show’s organisers.

The show has also been awarded Royal International qualifiers for National Pony Society Mountain and Moorland Working Hunter Ponies, British Show Pony Society Working Hunter Pony classes and Intermediate Workers, with lead rein and first ridden classe these are all in addition to the qualifiers already held at Hambleton.

For more information go to www.hambletonshow.com