Fun Day Out at the Races
It was a Fun Day out at the races for many families at the Aldington Point-to-point on Easter Monday. There were thrills and spills at the six race meeting with smallish fields giving a good chance to the punters. The event was organised by the East Kent Hunt in conjunction with West Street Point – to – Point Races.
The Ladies Open Race, sponsored by Hythe Bay Seafood Restaurants, proved eventful. Favourite, Battlecry, ridden by Miss M Spencer, fell at the first.
Miss Spencer was winded and attended by first-aiders but was soon on her feet with just her pride being hurt. The winner was Masked Man, ridden by Sarah Ashby.
The Members, Subscribers and Farmers Race was won in style by Oscars-Friend but it was the next race that provided a different kind of excitement as the fancied ‘Nemo Spirit’ unseated his rider at the first, continued on with the field until the finish, then turned round and raced back the way he had come. Somehow Nemo Spirit found a way off the course and continued his mad charge through the car park, where families were enjoying the warm sunshine and picnicking. The horse galloped on between the parked cars until he came on one moving off for an early exit. The horse made a valiant attempt to jump the car but put his foot through the back window. He almost cleared the vehicle but twisted in the air and landed on his back.
Nemo Spirit was still game to continue but as he clambered
to his feet the realisation that all was not well made him pause before attempting to charge on.
It was in that moment of indecision school girl Victoria Leidig stepped forward and grabbed his head collar. She spoke gently to the frightened horse who had blood pouring from leg and stomach wounds. Victoria’s calming words seemed to reassure the horse as others stepped forward with clothing to staunch the blood.
The vet arrived shortly after and the horse was taken away in the Blue Cross Horse Rescue vehicle. It was later reported that Nemo Spirit was perfectly OK. He had eaten shortly after getting back to his own stable and was recovering from his ordeal. ‘That’s the spirit Nemo’.
“Hythe & Romney Life” June 2014 Hard Copy Back Numbers Still Available
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