EIGHT Exmoor ponies and riders made up the largest race of the day at Minehead Harriers and West Somerset Point to Point at Holnicote.

They came from as far away as Cornwall and Gloucestershire to take part in the annual Exmoor Pony Race, which was won by Somerton-based jockey Anna-Claire Worsdale for the second year running but this time with a different steed.

Anna-Claire had only had 4 weeks to prepare nine-year-old gelding Sweetcombe Sunny D for the race after he had had the winter off work with his owner, Mrs A Brady.

A very close runner up was Mary Hannah’s seven-year-old mare Kingsby Fennel, ridden by the oldest jockey, 65-year-old Su Elsdon. Kingsby Fennel was a last-minute entry after she had spent the winter hunting.

Coming in third was nine-year-old mare Bemborough Wendy, ridden by one of the youngest jockeys, Amelia Tanner, 11, who is more accustomed to Shetland pony racing: “It was fantastic to have so much space and such a long course to race on,” said Amelia.

Photo: Joanna Webber