MANY congratulations to former working hunter pony competitor and event rider Hannah Phillips who, on her sixth attempt, recorded her first success in a point-to-point at Ballyvodock last Sunday.

The 25-year-old was bred for the game as her father Michael, who rode mainly for the late Tommy Wade, was senior point-to-point champion in both 1994 and 1995 while her mother, Lucy Townsley, was ladies’ champion in 1995.

Hannah had no interest in racing and had actually stopped competitive riding for about three years until, having completed her degree in Health Science and Nutrition at Athlone, her plan to head to Australia was thwarted by Covid-19. She started riding out in the mornings for Nicholastown, Co Tipperary trainer Tom Keating whose De Nordener she partnered to victory in a division of the six-year-old and upwards maiden at Sunday’s United Hunt fixture.

This was the fourth time Hannah had ridden the Ocovango gelding in a race, finishing fifth when they both made their debuts at Loughrea in October and placing second at Aghabullogue last month. The following day she travelled to Turtulla where she also filled the runner-up spot in a mares’ maiden on Miss Benjo, one of the horses she does for her father in the afternoons.

Better-known among readers of these pages for his position as business manager with Gain Equine Nutrition, Michael was on hand to welcome Hannah back to the No 1 spot on Sunday but Lucy missed the race as she was at Duffy’s Equestrian having two ponies measured for younger daughter Amber (nine) to compete this season.