GRASSROOTS: SHERIFF HUTTON

Sheriff Hutton in Yorkshire, home to one of the most successful families in racing, the Easterbys.

A long association with the countryside, a love of all things rural, and a desire to help secure the success of the area’s point-to-point scene led Mick to establish part of the farm as a point-to-point course in 2007.

Since then, the course has become a popular venue for participants nationwide, attracting a large crowd. These fixtures are embodied in the Yorkshire area calendar, and the course hosts two meetings per season: one in mid-January and one on Easter Saturday.

The first of this season’s meetings at Sheriff Hutton on January 11th is the Yorkshire Area Club meeting, and Secretary Christine Drury explains: “We started at Charm Park in 2007 but moved to Sheriff the following season. The Easterbys, particularly Mick, have been so supportive, and it has been a great success. We run the whole thing to raise money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, and we hope to break the ¼ million mark this season.”

That, in itself, is a remarkable achievement, fuelled by the endless hard work of volunteers. Drury adds: “We have a great pool of people but are just a six-person committee. There is myself, Cherry Coward, Mick’s daughter, and John Milburn. Jess Gillam, who secures the sponsorship, and Pete Marston, Mick’s farm manager. He is brilliant and helps build and sort the course. Then Richard Carter-Ferris, who does all the paperwork and accountancy side of it.”

One thing I personally always remember about this meeting and look forward to each time I attend is the warm welcome and the marquee filled with various hot and cold food and drink options. Carol Milburn, wife of committee member John, oversees the food with Rachel Andrews, daughter of clerk of the course Phillip Clarke, and it is consistently delicious. A wonderful hog roast and an abundance of cakes and sweet treats are available all day. The public bar often experiences an endless queue of customers throughout the day, creating a fantastic atmosphere.

The intertwining of volunteers doesn’t stop there; twin sisters Charlotte Russell and Emma Lund have long been involved in point-to-pointing in Yorkshire. Under their maiden name, Brader, Emma rode the family’s Duchess Account to many victories between the flags in the mid-2000s and on the day of racing, has taken over the role of announcer. Russell, who took on the Chairman role three years ago, stepped down from her duties as announcer and passed the baton to her sister, she explains: “I realised I couldn’t do both jobs, so Emma had to take over from me on the microphone! It is nearly the same familiar female voice!” Russell explains more about the meeting: “I am always so excited about Sheriff, we get a good crowd, runners from all over the country and often lots of them. The reasons behind Mick creating the course I love, he is passionate about it and he is always so open and helpful. He spends all summer working out ways in which to improve certain aspects and does it all with such enthusiasm.”

Daughter of Easterby, Cherry Coward, confirms: “Dad loves it. Back in the day, the field the course is on was the grass gallops that we used for Dad’s jump horses. It works very well as a racecourse. He is always working out ways to make improvements. It is a wide course and the two meetings we have can run on totally fresh ground. Dad is great because whilst it is his, he also takes on board constructive criticism well.” She adds: “Dad is very proud of the money we have raised for air ambulance. As a family we have nearly all been lifted and whilst what we raise is a drop in the ocean, every little helps.”

A club meeting, like all point-to-points, relies solely upon volunteers and willing help. Russell explains: “As an organiser pulling together help is not easy and gaining sponsorship can be a task.” Coward continues: “We rely a lot on hunting people to help, a local hunt provides the horse catchers, and many of our volunteers have links to hunting, but being a meeting that raises money for air ambulance, we do attract help through other avenues. The air ambulance isn’t just a horse incident required service and people are keen to get on board with that, for example, locals in the village help on the gate.”

Competitive racing is often produced at Sheriff, and whilst attracting local trainers, it is a favourite course of Warwickshire-based Gina Andrews, and she says: “Sheriff is a good fair track and we have had plenty of luck there, so we keep going back. There are no traps and the best horse normally wins. The ground can get soft, but we just really like it.” Andrews was responsible for the handling of the useful Edith Pelham who won impressively here on debut last January, was subsequently sold for £180,000 and has since won a bumper.

This season sees one of the races in the GB pointing bonus series, where the winner is eligible for a nice bonus if they win under-rules within two years of their maiden point-to-point victory. All GB-bred winners will be in line for a £25,000 bonus, whilst horses bred elsewhere pick up £15,000.

The festive period is one of the busiest times of the year for racing and pointing people, staff working hard to keep the horses happy and healthy whilst attempting to enjoy the festivities and see family or non-horsey friends!