This week we caught up with PPORA sponsored rider for this season, Ben Sutton. Ben is the current Men’s National Novice Champion; he clinched the crown in an exciting final day of action at Champions Day in June…read more to find out!
🏇How did you get into pointing? Through my dad Nick; he used to ride as an amateur, so when he gave up & my brother Dom left England to live in Australia, I was the only one left in the family that was interested in racing! I did pony racing for a year & then, upon turning 16, took the next step to riding pointing.
🏇What’s your pointing highlight? Obviously winning the Men’s National Novice Title & clinching it on the final day by riding a treble! Not sure I’ll ever beat that!
🏇Where’s your favourite point-to-point & why? Barbury Castle - I think it’s the most fun course to ride at with all the undulations, good size fences, there always tends to have class racing & the best horse tends to win.
🏇What's your earliest pointing memory? All my family going to watch my dad ride at a freezing cold & foggy Larkhill where we couldn't see a single thing & barely left the car!
🏇How would you describe pointing to someone that hasn’t been before? Grassroots racing that welcomes everybody from all walks of life & a great day out for the family in the countryside.
🏇What's your pointing career aim? To ride the most winners in my family & I would love to ride in one of the Foxhunters…of course, it would be nice to win one too!
🏇What do you think lies ahead for the future of pointing? A balance between the fun amateur side & a great education for young horses, future professional jockeys & trainers.
🏇What's your favourite aspect of pointing? Riding winners & celebrating afterwards in the car park!
🏇What was your favourite aspect of riding pointing? The buzz & adrenaline you get from riding a good one…it’s unbeatable.
🏇Any hobbies outside of horses? If going to the cricket counts..?! Then going to watch in England at Edgebaston in the Hollies.
Thanks Ben! We look forward to joining you throughout the season; keep an eye out for Ben’s monthly blogs on the PPORA website!
Images kindly provided by Chasdog Photography & Hattie Austin Photography