Crowds gather for Boxing Day point-to-point races, organised by the New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society
Large crowds of spectators gathered at Ocknell on Boxing Day to cheer home the riders in the annual New Forest point-to-point races.
Boosted by mild and dry conditions, the event saw 81 riders line up in a series of races for pure-breed and part-breed New Forest ponies over one-and-a-half and three-mile distances.
Described as one of the most important traditions on the commoning calendar, the course is kept under wraps until the day, testing participants’ local knowledge and horsemanship across difficult terrain.
James Young, chair of the event’s organising committee, said: “It was quite a challenging course this year but thankfully it was fairly uneventful – we had one pony that was lost for a few hours but that was found later in the afternoon. The feedback was that everyone really enjoyed the race.”
Organised by the New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society, the event finished at Ocknells, with its two race starting points revealed as the event began. The adult races began at Old House, Burley, and the children’s event started at Slufters Inclosure.
This year’s course was planned by Robert Stride, and between 80 and 100 volunteers were involved in running the event, undertaking everything from stewarding and judging to marshalling the car park.
James explained: “We preserve the location of starting points until the riders actually arrive there on the day. It is usually at least a mile or more that the competitors ride across the Forest before they reach the start.”
The event requires riders to navigate through the open Forest, and it’s thought to be the only authentic forest point-to-point race in the country.
James added: “The event is also a showpiece for the New Forest pony breed – races are limited to 100% New Forest-breed ponies and part-breed ponies. It is the ponies not the riders who must meet the entry criteria – however, there are a lot of commoners and local people who take part.
“It is certainly a hugely important date in the commoning calendar, and a tradition that is such a huge part of the commoning way of life. It was wonderful to see such large crowds supporting the event and so many riders taking part this year.”
This year there were 11 point-to-point races across seven categories, including veterans’ and children’s contests.
RESULTS
Race 1a: Veterans 55 Years And Over On Part-Bred New Forest Ponies
1st Wootton Heath Obi; owner & rider John Adams
2nd Hollyhatch Hennessy; owner Kate Ingram and rider Bruce Thorne
3rd Byfleet Nicky; owner & rider Brenda Henney
Race 1b: Veterans 55 Years And Over On Pure Bred New Forest Ponies
1st Janesmoor Jasper Conran; owner & rider Anita Smith
2nd Staghill Polar Flight; owner & rider Katie Macey
3rd Applewitch Allure; owner & rider Andy Vine
Race 2: Children 10-13years On New Forest Ponies
1st Churchmeadow Gimli; owner Rosie Powell and rider Molly Jones
2nd Buttslawn Beaufort; owner Susan Mitchell and rider Polly Dovey
3rd Silverlea Honey Blonde; owner Jehanna Stride and rider George Stride
4th North Hollow Myrtle; owner Katrina Peett and rider Pixie Meader
Race 3a: Children 14-16 Years On New Forest Ponies
1st Staghill Rocket; owner and rider Cassidy Francis
2nd Moneyhills Pageant; owner Sam & Helen Dovey and rider Erin Dovey
3rd Sandhole William Tell; owner Laura Rangecroft and rider Ryan Luker
4th Shatterford Golden Lad; owner Andrea Good and rider Eva Storer
Race 3b: Children 14-16 Years On New Forest Ponies
1st Howen Dukes Son; owner Loren Hawkyard and rider Skye Hawkyard
2nd Rowdown Emeli; owner & rider Sonny Lovell
3rd Carterstone Tickled Pink; owner Erika Dovey and rider Brinley Smith
4th Careys Gummy Bear; owner & rider Amy Good
Race 4a: Ladies On Part Bred New Forest Ponies
1st Shatterford Thriller; owner Anita Smith and rider Rosie Dymond
2nd Lovelyhill Silk Road; owner Kerry Dovey and rider Honor Humble
3rd Hollyhatch High Hopes; owner and rider Kate Ingram
4th Cocos Mistry; owner Emma Feltham and rider Jordan Feltham
Race 4b: Gentlemen On Part Bred New Forest Ponies
1st Wootton Heath Romeo; owner & rider Jake Moore
2nd Rowhill Snowy River; owner Alan Ingram, and rider Tristan Ingram
3rd Brookshill Theo; owner & rider Nathan Coutts
4th Longslade Skipper; owner & rider Colin Moore
Race 4c: Heavyweights On Part Bred New Forest Ponies
1st Tiptoe Dunnit by Moonlight; owner & rider Lee Mansbridge
Race 5a: Novice New Forest Ponies
1st Burnt House Magic’s Lad; owner Vicky Goulding and rider Maddison Goulding
2nd Brookshill Jacob; owner & rider Jodie Thorp
3rd Mylor Diamond; owner & rider Tina Campbell
4th Hollybrooke Huckleberry; owner Wendy Gover and rider Tana Poole
Race 5b: Novice New Forest Ponies
1st Rushmoor Roly; owner & rider Georgina Hunt
2nd Rowdown Rumer; owner & rider Erika Dovey
3rd Vicar’s Hill Little Mole; owner & rider Satiah Austin
4th Brookshill Pipalong; owner and rider Katie Mathews
Race 6: Open New Forest Ponies
1st Warren Trail Layer; owner Erika Dovey and rider Isaac Lovell
2nd Sandhole Brandy Snap; owner and rider Becky Dunn
3rd Silverlea Sweet Dreams; owner & rider Sonja Waite
4th Buckland Kaizer; owner & rider Mitchell Robinson
Race 7: Young Commoners
1st Kilncopse Gina; owner & rider Amelia Mae Long
2nd Staghill Forest Ranger; owner & rider Luke Coutts
3rd Lyndhurst Sunlight; owner Isaac Lovell and rider Daisy Slocombe
4th Brock Boudicca; owner James Young & Trudy Nineham and rider Steph Davies
