GRASSROOTS: GEORGE ATKINSON

Twenty-three-year-old George Atkinson from Northallerton in Yorkshire rode his first winner at the Yorkshire Area Club point-to-point at Sheriff Hutton on Sunday.

Partnering his own seven-year-old Sports Magic in the NWFAA Maiden race in family colours, it was a warmly welcomed victory in a packed winners’ enclosure.

Atkinson is an owner-rider-trainer with two horses in his care and trains on the family farm.

Atkinson tells me: “We have a family farm, my dad Mark, uncle Peter and I are busy with that. We have Pigs, Cattle, sheep and some arable. Peter trains three horses under a permit, and they both rode point-to-point. My win on Sunday was the first win in the family colours since they rode.” I am interested to learn more, and he continues: “They both rode winners, Dad, about seven and uncle Peter around 50. They had good pointers and trained a lot of winners. Uncle Peter has had some really good times with his training. I help him at the races and occasionally ride out if he needs me.”

As a child, Atkinson’s main focus in equestrianism was showjumping; he competed on ponies to a high level all over the country, jumping in BSJA finals and at Grand Prix level. He explains: “Once I was 17 and at that age you go onto horses, I decided to follow racing. I had always fancied a go at pointing. I am a racing fanatic, and although I am very tall, my weight is good.”

On completing A Levels at Barnard Castle, Atkinson then completed an agriculture degree at Askham Bryan College. The college has a point-to-point course and is where Atkinson intends on running his other horse, Driveondonn, in a few weeks.

Following two charity races, he had his first point-to-point ride in December 2023 at Alnwick. Atkinson is now totally bitten by the bug and, last summer, bought both Sports Magic and Driveondonn privately through a friend of the previous owner/rider, Charlie Buckle. Purchases which, to this point, have proven fruitful. Driveondonn finished a good second at Garthorpe earlier in the season behind the progressive Jolie Joue, and following Sunday’s win, Atkinson can now dream of each horse progressing. With a certain modesty, he says: “I hadn’t ridden a really good one until I got these two, I am very lucky!”

The weekend marked a gear change for Atkinson when, on Saturday, he had a first ride for Fiona Needham. Atkinson rides out for the former Cheltenham foxhunters, winning rider and trainer, and admits that she has been a great help. “Fiona is wonderful, a real support and looks after me. I go to her once a week and do whatever needs doing, galloping and schooling. I had my first ride for her on Saturday at Revesby and hope to pick up some more for her.”

Needham says: “George rides well, is tactfully aware, and very keen to learn. I was delighted he has had his first winner, and I am sure many more will follow.”

Sports Magic ran out the convincing winner on Sunday and is certainly worth noting. Running handily throughout, he stayed on to win comfortably, beating horses that I am certain will grace the winners’ circle in the coming weeks. Atkinson says: “Being my first ride on him, I was unsure of what to expect, but he gave me a lovely ride. I went round the outer on better ground, and he jumped well. My goggles were caked- I couldn’t see a lot at times! Turning into the straight, I could see Ellie Callwood pushing a bit. I sat quiet and then gave him a kick after two out, and he went up a gear! He feels talented, it felt good and he liked the soft going.”

I then asked Atkinson to give me a summary with his ‘trainers’ hat on, and he told me: “He ate up and has come out of it well. I would like to go to Helmsley Races at Duncombe Park, which is on 15^th February. If all goes to plan, my dream is to win the hunt race at the Bedale. It is my home track, it gets a huge crowd, I have been going there since I was small and Dad used to be the starter.”

Of his future goals, he admits he would love to ride as many winners as possible and to keep improving, and adds: “Tim Walford has been really helpful, and I have been to Brian Harding for jockey coaching.

Celebrations involved a ‘couple’ of bottles of fizz, but Atkinson says: “We ended up in the local Weatherspoon’s! Nowhere was open except there, but we had a good night.”

I asked Atkinson if he had any other ‘interesting’ things he could share, and yes indeed, he did. He told me: “Well, Sports Magic is a legend. I am teaching my girlfriend, Emily, to ride on him! We have mastered up-downs in trot, but it is a slow and steady process! She is training to be a pilot, so I am trying to avoid any injuries!”

Atkinson was great, embodied all the things I love about pointing, determined and talented with realistic expectations. Roll on the Bedale hunt race- take him on at your peril!