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Catch up on the latest point-to-point focus column – with guest columnist Sally Randell – which appeared in the Racing Post on Friday, January 24.

My love for point-to-pointing began when I was serving in the Army, writes Sally Randell.

To take part in military races at Sandown I needed race-riding experience before anyone would contemplate giving me a ride and pointing was the most obvious way forwards. I had passed my lorry test thanks to the Army, and used to drive a local trainer’s pointers to the gallops in my lunch times and work them for him. I had my first season racing for him and although win-less I gained the experience needed and was hooked.

My initial attempt at the Grand Military Gold Cup resulted in a second place, but in 2009, on my next ride in it I made history when becoming the first woman to win thanks to Oakfield Legend. Meeting the Queen at a drinks party in Windsor Castle that evening topped off a very special day.

I believe in fate and in this sport you need luck and dedication as well. It was fate that led me to Surenaga, who I purchased privately in Ireland. In 2010/11, my first season of training pointers from a small yard in Waleys I won three times on him and he landed the Lady Dudley Cup under Ben Poste. It was because of Surenaga that I am where I am today, happily assisting my partner, trainer Fergal O’Brien, and training half a dozen pointers.

In some ways I have been lucky when I really needed it – but good results and constant support would not happen without dedication and hard work. I try to instil that ethos into anyone that shows an interest in race riding.

Starting young jockeys off in their careers gives me great enjoyment. Brodie Hampson started with me when she was 16 and had her first ride a few months later on a cracking little mare called Rich Nomad, who I had won on in previous seasons. Brodie gave her a peach of a ride to win by a nose and I got more satisfaction from her win than my own.

Point-to-pointing’s novice riders’ series is brilliant, with many races to aim at and a great way for inexperienced jockeys to get their chance without the top riders taking charge.

I have been very fortunate to train for Jane Tufnell and her family for the last two seasons. Jane’s son Albi rode three cracking winners last season and has followed up with three more this time from only six rides. Despite jointly leading the novice riders’ championship he has temporarily hung up his boots to complete his A Levels, but is a very exciting rider for the amateur ranks next season.

I now concentrate on our other young novice rider Katie Sinclair. She rode a winner last season and has so much dedication which is why I am behind her. It’s killing my pocket but she deserves it.

The majority of point-to-point meetings in Britain stage a ladies’ open race, but novice riders’ races confined to women riders would help. Open the doors of opportunity and people that deserve to get noticed will come out of the shadows.