Gina Andrews aims to build on 'unbelievable' campaign as season proper kicks off
Brushing the last of autumn’s leaves from the front drive, Britain’s point-to-point circuit opens its doors to a new season on Sunday.
Hope drives every competitor at this time of year, and I detect a sense of optimism despite some hand-to-hand combat that is not going so well. The decline in the number of horses and riders registered to take part refuses to pull up, turn around and head back in the direction of 20 years ago, yet there are areas of growth.
The champions from last season are certainly set for action. Will Biddick, who in April took the UK record for the number of point-to-point winners ridden, and later lifted it to a new mark of 431, said: "You know what I want – to win the title again! Same as last season."
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Published on inInterviews
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- 'You can see why people end up struggling - when you're trying to pay the electric bill, losing one ride can be massive'
- 'I've never paid six figures for a horse and never will - I learned pretty quickly you're only one phone call away from f*** all'
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- ‘When you’re in the moment and you’re starved, you’re ready to explode - everything built up and I just lost my s**t’
- 'He must have his breakfast earlier than Willie does' - Patrick Mullins goes behind enemy lines at Gordon Elliott's yard
- 'You can see why people end up struggling - when you're trying to pay the electric bill, losing one ride can be massive'
- 'I've never paid six figures for a horse and never will - I learned pretty quickly you're only one phone call away from f*** all'
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- ‘When you’re in the moment and you’re starved, you’re ready to explode - everything built up and I just lost my s**t’
- 'He must have his breakfast earlier than Willie does' - Patrick Mullins goes behind enemy lines at Gordon Elliott's yard