THE eight hotly competitive point to points in the Welsh Border region resulted in several first-time winners for the coveted area championships.

Marilyn Scudamore's south Herefordshire stable had an inspired season, with Marilyn running away with the awards for both the leading owner and trainer, while her own Galway took the Leading Horse trophy.

Twenty-six-year old Nick Oliver, who rides many of the Scudamore runners, deservedly galloped off with the rider's championship, with Sam Gray taking the male novice award.

The ladies' title went right to the wire when Emma James snatched victory at Bredwardine to retain her crown, but bridesmaid Rachel Reynolds consoled herself with the leading lady novice trophy.

Popular Painscastle trainer Steve Lloyd reluctantly admits to being over 21, and must be delighted at securing the plate for leading veteran rider. Having missed all of last season with a broken hip, he is now equipped with a 'dynamic' screw to in the joint.

Hereford Racecourse, the venue for the awards, kindly donated a trophy for the leading owner-bred horse in the area, won by the courageous mare, Withybrook Lass. Her owner, Michael Ings, bred her dam, grand-dam and great grand-dam, so such recognition was long overdue.

National hunt jockey Richard Johnson, who began his illustrious career on the Wales & West courses, will present the awards on Friday, July 1.

Johnson will also be heavily involved in the sponsored 'Spacehopper Sprints' during the evening run across the members' lawn in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund. Many of the local riders will be competing, including record-breaking Eastnor man Julian Pritchard, and national champion Richard Burton.

Ludlow, Cheltenham and Hereford Racecourses are all donating tickets for the auction in aid of the IJF, and Ludlow clerk of the course Bob Davies will be doing his best to 'ride' a winner in the event for ex-jockeys, which will include Peter Scudamore.

Tickets for the evening, which includes a buffet and disco, beginning at 7.30 pm, are £20 from Stella Havard, Burghope Farm, Dinmore, Wellington, Hereford, HR4 8ED. 07876 553641. All sponsorship for Injured Jockeys Fund gratefully received!

AWARDS

Leading Horse: Marilyn Scudamore's Galway, =runners-up Ann Price's Classic Revival, Marilyn Scudamore's Greenwich and Selassie.

Rider: Nick Oliver.

Lady Rider: Emma James.

Novice Rider (male): Sam Gray.

Rider (selected meetings): = Nick Oliver, James Tudor.

Novice Rider (female): Rachel Reynolds.

Veteran Rider: Steve Lloyd.

Owner: Marilyn Scudamore.

Trainer: Marilyn Scudamore.

Owner-bred Horse in Welsh Border Area: Michael Ings' Withybrook Lass.

Stablelad/lasses of Season: = Mark Blockley (Marilyn Scudamore), Esther Lawley and Lucy Sheen (Caroline Walker).

Eyecatchers in the Welsh Border Area: Upton Adventure (Ludlow Ladies Race), Hannah Lewis (Ballyallen, United Maiden Race), Caroline Walker (Jimmy Cricket, Radnor & West Men's Open Race), Go Go Gallant (Brightwells Confined Championship Race, Golden Valley) , Wild Edric ( Brampton Bryan), Rob Hodges (Classic Revival, Teme Valley & United Members), Jeremy Mahot (Diamond Alpha (Ire), Mark Jackson (Whitwick).