Keith Cumings, outstanding figure in point-to-pointing

Mourners gathered at St Mary’s Church, Bishops Nympton in Devon just before Christmas for the funeral of leading West Country trainer Keith Cumings.

Cumings, who lived near South Molton and worked full-time in agricultural machinery, started training pointers in the mid-70s and came to the early conclusion that hunting was a good education for a young horse and a way of rekindling enthusiasm in older ex-hurdlers and chasers.

In an address to the congregation, former national champion Mike Felton said: “Qualifying a Cumings horse was a rite of passage and not for the faint hearted; fortified with a hip flask, you were expected to stay out until hounds came home come rain or shine, rain mostly.”

Persian Scimitar, who won point-to-points and hunters’ chases under Mike Trickey and Nick Bush, provided an early indication that Cumings and his wife Janet could train horses, and their livery yard business began to grow. The peak years came in the early 1990s and coincided with the arrival on the race riding scene of their eldest daughter Jo, who became national novice champion in 1991 after riding 13 winners. She clicked with multiple winners Flame O’Frensi (whose son Touch Of Flame later became a regular winner for the yard) and Khattaf, while the imposing Starember Lad was another who contributed regularly.

Jo also won area titles in Devon & Cornwall and deserved one at senior national level, but she was riding in the era of multiple winners Alison Dare and Polly Curling, and while she partnered 120 winners and was placed in the women’s championship on several occasions the no.1 spot eluded her. Her sister, Nicky, has been no less important a cog in the yard’s success, and the immaculately turned-out horses were a tribute to her involvement.

Ever-helpful when assistance was in short supply, Cumings joined the Point-to-Point Owners’ Association (PPOA, later PPORA) at its inception and served on the national committee as Devon & Cornwall representative for 35 years. He volunteered at PPORA race meetings held at Barbury Castle and was heavily involved at courses such as Holnicote and Bratton Down.

He also served as the main ring steward at Gatcombe Horse Trials from 1986 to 2018 – receiving a long-service award from The Princess Royal – and judged, commentated and served on committees at local shows.

The Cumingses’ stable of horses had steadily reduced in number in recent years, although the winners continued to emerge. Don’t Ask Us won a low-key affair at Vauterhill in May 2022, but it was a significant victory for it provided Will Biddick with his 500^th point-to-point success in Britain.

A recent star for the Cumings’ stable, Dr Rhythm (Will Biddick), winning at Badbury Rings in February 2024 (Ce)

Whenharrymetsally (13 wins) and Dr Rhythm (17 wins) have been further prolific winners in recent years. Dr Rhythm, who has recently been retired, was to prove the stable’s final runner and winner when landing the men’s open race at Bratton Down in May under Josh Newman.

Cumings, who died just short of his 80^th birthday, was married to Janet for 58 years. He leaves her, their children Jo, Nicky and Alistair and seven grandchildren.