Today we’re chatting to point-to-point trainer & jockey Dale Peters, who alongside his partner Natalie, run a yard of 13 as well as riding winners!
🏇🏼How are you both involved in point-to-pointing? I took over training from my dad 6 years ago & have since built up a nice yard of horses along with great owners. I mainly ride my own but also have some nice horses to ride for David Kemp. Natalie & I met 9 years ago & she’s been part of the team since.
🏇🏼What is your favourite aspect of pointing? I love training young horses, never knowing what you’ve got & also buying older horses needing a change of scenery, however my favourite aspect has to be riding winners…I’m incredibly competitive in everything I do!
🏇🏼How did you get into pointing? My family have been involved in pointers for many years & have had pointers since I was 15. Dad packed up in 1997 with a winner & started again in 2007 with his first runner being a winner.
🏇🏼What’s your pointing highlight? My pointing highlight has to be riding a treble at Dingley in 2018. I had an unlucky fall the day before at Hexham, then rode & trained a treble on the Saturday on Mines A Pint, Bi Quinn Tiep & the highlight was The Unmentionable in a great finish. I then rode a double on the Monday at Mollington on Benefit Of Luck & Pride Of Parish for Alan Hill. That was a weekend I won’t forget!
🏇🏼If you could change one thing in point-to-pointing, what would it be? I think the whole experience for owners needs to be better. The prize money is minimal & for owners involved wanting to take their family for a day out or for syndicate horses the ticket situation is poor.
🏇🏼Where’s your favourite point-to-point & why? I love Dingley - it’s my favourite course to ride around & falls at a great time of year - the weather is often lovely. It is a real social event for everyone & great for viewing.
🏇🏼What’s your earliest pointing memory?
My first ride at Cottenham on Cosi Celeste which was also Gina’s first ride…she won, I fell at the 8th! That’s pretty much how my career has continued!
🏇🏼What do you think lies for the future of pointing? I hope pointing continues for many years. It has lots of positive concepts but I feel it needs to keep up with the times. It is hard to sell young pointers to new owners these days as there is a limited return for a big outlay.
🏇🏼What’s your favourite aspect of riding & training pointers? I love buying & producing young horses. I also love making plans for the horses for the season ahead.
🏇🏼Any hobbies outside of horses? I love playing golf when I have time & I also have sheep on the farm.
Thank you so much Dale & Natalie for catching up with us! Best of luck for this season, see you out pointing soon!
