30 December 2010 North Western Area Seasonal Preview
by Arthur Shone
Arthur Shone previews the season ahead for the North Western Area.
Despite all the adverse weather last year that saw Point-to-Point fixtures in some areas obliterated, the North Western Area went through the season unscathed, which was reflected by Chairman George Barlow in his traditional pre-season message for the media.
He said, "The North West Area had a successful 2010 season with most meetings making a small profit and some doing better. It was very apparent the weather played a large part in the financial outcome.
"Over the last few years Pointing has become increasingly expensive, so I am taking this opportunity to remind you that the following schemes are now in operation and details can be obtained from the Point-to-Point Authority and the Planner (available through this website's Shop page): (1) PPA Horse Sponsorship, (2) Guidelines re: VAT Registration for Point-To-Point Horses under the Racehorse Owners Scheme and (3) Information regarding Riders Sponsorship Scheme and the advice on the use of sponsorship money."
"Finally I would like to wish everyone involved in our great sport many happy days in the forthcoming season."
There will be 14 meetings in the North Western Area in 2011, the first of which will be the Tanatside Hunt meeting at Eyton-on-Severn on Sunday February 13th. The Scally Muire Trophy (worth £500 in prize money) will be held this year at the North Shropshire meeting at Eyton-on-Severn on Sunday March 27th.
The North West Club will once again stage the £1,000 Dodson & Horrell PPROA Club Members Race for the Novice Riders Championship on Sunday May 15th. Last season the race was won by Ed Turner riding Parkinson, trained by his grandfather Joe, who was in attendance; the family had made the long trip from Bury St Edmunds. The Turner family are folklore in racing between the flags, as the winning Rider's late father David won the National Riders Championship eight times and his aunt Josie the National Lady Riders Championship five times.
The curtain comes down on our season on Sunday May 22nd with the Flint & Denbigh at Bangor-on-Dee and the Meynell & South Shropshire at Garthorpe. The North Western Area Point-to-Point Championship Final will take place at Bangor-on-Dee on Saturday May 14th. The race was won last year by Iced Tea, trained by Sian McCain for Owner Derek Malam; Iced Tea brought to an end the run of the Gary Hanmer-trained Border Fusion who had won the race for the previous three years running, although he ran well in the end to finish runner up.
