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GUY BREWER

There is an abundance of Point-to-Point trainers in Yorkshire, but few can better the riding, training and general horsemanship skills of Guy and Freya Brewer, whose yard is situated at Stocking Hill Farm near Coulton, in the north of the county.

Due to various circumstances, "but no falling out," stressed Guy, the Brewers' Pointing enterprise is down on numbers this year, and although they are kept very busy with pre-training and breakers it is that side of the operation which they would like to build up. Despite never having had the luxury of being sent expensive potential "superstars," they have proved beyond doubt that they can get the very best out of the material they have, as was witnessed by the Sheriff Hutton victory of Dark Moon, who was sold by previous connections after his form last year tailed off.

The horses have plenty of variety in their work. There is an uphill grass canter on the land, and the Brewers are indebted to neighbouring farmers who allow the use of their fields. As well as schooling fences there are obstacles of all types to keep the horses interested, and the facilities include an arena for breaking the youngsters and a covered horse-walker. Overseeing the yard is Nora the terrier, who sulks if Guy or Freya dare to go racing without her.

Freya grew up in an equestrian environment - her mother Sarah used to ride out Pointers and was secretary for a large stud - but Guy only started riding in a bid to outdo his sister, who had been given a pony by their grandfather. It seems that the basics eluded him to begin with - "I couldn't do rising trot for about two years," he revealed.

The pair have been together for 12 years and got married in December 2009, but they actually met many years earlier when both were in the Sinnington Pony Club, "When I was too shy to speak to anyone," Freya pointed out.

Guy, who has a degree in civil engineering, went on to become an international mounted games rider, and he rode out for Peter Easterby in his school holidays, "But I couldn't get anyone to give me a ride until I was 21," he recalled. His long-awaited debut proved to be memorable, though not as he would have wished. His mount Paddy's Pocket ran out and dumped his rider, who needed seven stitches in his chin and still has the scar to this day. His initial success came on the Tim Walford-trained Noreasonatall at Charm Park in 1998, and since then he has taken his tally between the flags to exactly 100, plus another 12 under Rules.

Freya, who evented to Advanced level, had her first ride in 1998 on Dark Dawn, and opened her account the following year on her own Temple Garth. From limited opportunities she has partnered 26 winners, while a highlight in Hunter Chases was partnering Mooramana over the Aintree fences in 2008. The fact that he fell at Becher's left her undaunted. "I wouldn't have minded if we'd only got to the first," she admitted. "It was just such a tremendous experience, and the atmosphere was amazing."

A ride round Liverpool is not yet on Guy's c.v., an omission he hopes to get the chance to rectify, but he has enjoyed the buzz of riding in the Cheltenham Foxhunter Chase, piloting Upham Lord in 2004 - "The hairs stood up at the back of my neck," he confessed.

His number one ambition, though, is to be Yorkshire area champion, having gone close on more than one occasion, while Freya wants to concentrate on the training with the aim of eventually taking out a licence.

The aforementioned DARK MOON was purchased inexpensively at Doncaster by Freya for Jane Kibble and Jane Younger. The move to a smaller yard seems to have rejuvenated him, and the initial goal, that of winning a Restricted, has already been achieved. He needs a flat track and give in the ground to be seen at his best.

FATHER MURTAGH, who belongs to a syndicate, is described by Freya as "an enigma." His jumping, usually his forte, was far from fluent at Sheriff Hutton. "I'd have liked to qualify him for Aintree, but after that it would be a waste of time," she said. He has the option to return to an Intermediate, and the re-fitting of headgear, which he wore last year, may be considered.

STOCKING TOP, a four-year-old filly by Kayf Tara, was bred by Freya's mother out of an eventing mare. She is big and weak, but to date has done everything asked of her. Her year older half-brother, STOCKING HILL, is shaping well, but may go down the eventing route.

Hugh Waldie's HARWOOD DALE has the Derwent Members' race as his target. He stays well and likes top of the ground, but is prone to the occasional error. "He's from a family of fence breakers," grinned Guy, pointing out that it was his half-brother Willywont He who had smashed the open ditch take-off board at Sheriff Hutton.

Freya may find herself saddling two in the same race, as Chris Beal's five-year-old MANTEL HILL could also be a contender for the Derwent's opening race. He arrived at the yard ready qualified, and is doing everything right so far. He is cold-backed, so needs to go on the walker for at least 30 minutes on a Monday morning before being ridden. Five minutes is not enough, as Guy found out, "But we were warned," he laughed.

Sassy Hall's PAVANNE, who is not very big, has been placed over hurdles for Martin Keighley.

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