Crowds flock to Yorkshire tracks

RACING in Yorkshire is as popular as ever, with a total attendance of 841,081 recorded for the nine racecourses in the county during last year.

The figure is only 3,781 down on 1999, despite the fact that an unprecedented 18 race days were lost, compared to only seven the previous year.

The average daily attendance showed a healthy increase over 1999 of 5.57pc. The upward curve in attendances is further emphasised when compared to the 1998 total of 814,867.

Graham Orange, Go Racing in Yorkshire's public relations officer, said: "The overall attendance for 2000 is a great testament to everyone involved in racing, from the horses and grooms to racecourse managements and most of all to the county's race-goers, who have once again demonstrated their passion for the sport.

"These figures clearly demonstrate that the Yorkshire region is a major contributor to the success of British racing."

Rescue prompts calls for licensing

THE International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) is renewing its calls for licensing of livery yards after receiving a skeletal horse from a DIY yard in the North of England.

Buzz The Agent, a five-year-old bay ex-racehorse could barely stand when rescued and was suffering from severe malnutrition and a chronic knee injury.

The league is also making an appeal to everybody involved in DIY yards not to turn a blind eye, but to contact it if they are at all concerned about an animal's welfare.

Jockey hurt as fire explodes

YOUNG jockey Paul Goode is likely to be out of action for some time after he was hurt when a coal fire exploded in his face on Sunday morning.

The 23-year-old apprentice, who is joining Devon trainer Rod Millman after spending five years with Patrick Haslam at Middleham, was lucky not to be blinded in the accident.

The claimer, who has ridden 60 winners and lives in rented accommodation in Middleham, suffered extensive facial burns and was taken to the Friarage hospital in Northallerton.

He was discharged on Monday night, but has been instructed to visit his doctor's surgery once a day to have the injuries attended by a nurse.

Goode is wary of returning to the saddle too soon and is not prepared to risk facing the kickback at the all-weather tracks until satisfied his wounds have fully healed.

Riding festival tours again

THE Jeep National Riding Festival will be introducing children throughout the UK to riding this summer.

The fifth consecutive tour will take Trigger, the mechanical horse, to more than 5,000 primary school children and will be accompanied by qualified instructors from a local riding school at each venue.

Displays and activities at equestrian centres throughout the country will include Western riding and mounted falconry, towing lessons and the chance to try off-road driving.

For more information, contact the Jeep National Riding Festival hotline on 0870 241 1481.

BHS appoints new chief

MRS Kay Driver has been appointed the new chief executive of the British Horse Society.

She is currently chief executive of the Professional Association of Teachers and was deptuy chief executive of the Secondary Heads Association for eight years.

She has ridden and owned horses since childhood and is keenly interested in countryside and environmental issues and animal welfare. She is expected to take up her appointment at the beginning of April.

Schooling fences for hire

A NEW facility for the coming point to point season has opened in the region.

Five schooling fences are available for hire, at £10 per horse, at Manor House, Newsham, near Thirsk.

Anyone interested in making use of the service should contact Helen Bell on 01845 587207.

New date for hunter trial

THE popular Brettanby Hunter Trial, postponed from the autumn because of the wet weather, is to be held on Sunday, March 25 at Brettanby Manor, Barton, near Darlington.

Schedules are available from Brookleigh Riding Centre on 01325 718268 or 718329