Local horsewoman Jane Jones, Field Master with the Vale of Clettwr Hunt, swapped her hunting attire for racing colours last weekend when she took part in a racing event organised and in aid of the Countryside Alliance at the Ffoslas Race Course. This was Jane’s first ever race, and even though she goes hunting twice a week and rides every day, this was a tough challenge. By Anwen Francis
Riding her husband’s six year old chestnut thoroughbred gelding Kelsey, Jane finished the race in third place being denied by Fair Duchess ridden by Lucy Luke of Pembrokeshire in second with Benayoun winning the race in fine form owned by Gethin Mills and trained by Ron Mills.
“I just wanted to finish the race and not fall off!” said Jane who will be donating the monies raised to both the Countryside Alliance and the Wales Air Ambulance.
Kelsey, property of Heddwyn Jones is trained by the renowned Pembrokeshire race horse trainer Peter Bowen of Letterston and will continue his racing career this month.
“Waiting to start was terrifying but exhilarating and I most definitely won’t be giving up the day job! People have now suggested I do some point to point racing, but there is no chance! Racing is a lot harder than I could have ever imagined and it was really hard work, these jockeys make it look so easy,” said Jane who has competed with her coloured Cob Farmhill Apache at HOYS (Horse of the Year Show) for the past two years.
“Heddwyn has always been saying I should give the Countryside Alliance race a go, but it usually clashed with HOYS and I’ve been worried about falling off and not being able to compete there. But this year Apache had colic and was off work so we couldn’t make it and I decided to give the race a go,” explained Jane.
Her ride at the races, although challenging was made more pleasurable because of her trusty steed.
“Kelsey is such a lovely horse, a total dude and such a good boy on the gallops. He didn’t pull much and I’ve been riding him and others on the gallops twice a week in preparation for the event. I’ve even been running and I don’t do running but it has been a brilliant experience and I can’t thank everyone enough for their support. I had to kick like mad going up the home straight but it was huge thrill!”
To date, Jane has collected the sum of £1850 for the two good causes and hopes to raise a total of £2000 by the end of this month.
Lead pic by Meg Norris
