Lucy Turner to ride at Cheltenham

Lucy galloping Richmond

Lucy galloping Richmond

Whilst Victoria Pendleton has been receiving a lot of press for her challenge to ride in the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham, lining up alongside her is 23 year old Lucy Turner from Hoarwithy, Herefordshire.

Lucy schooling Richmond

Schooling

Lucy qualified for the Foxhunters by finishing 2nd in two hunter chases, firstly at Taunton and then at Warwick on her own ‘Richmond’, trained by Lucy’s father Phil Turner. Richmond is an 11 year old French bred bay gelding by Assessor out of Hirondel De Serley.

This is Lucy’s first season riding ‘Rich’, but she knows him well having looked after him for two seasons as a stable lass at Venetia William’s prior to this.  Lucy says Richmond is a good jumper and is hoping that if they have a clear run round,  that he’ll be good enough to be in the mix. When qualifying, he finished not far behind two very nice horses who have both gone on to to win again this season.

Lucy was 4th at Ascot on Elenika

Lucy – 4th at Ascot on Elenika, trained by Venetia Williams.

Lucy has also ridden for trainer Venetia Williams with results including 5th in a Amateur hurdle race at Ludlow and 4th at Ascot in January in an Amateur Chase. With 6 winners to date, Lucy has the foxhunters at Aintree in her sights later this season all being well.

The Foxhunter Champion Chase is run after the Gold Cup on Friday at the Cheltenham Festival and is televised on Channel 4 Racing. Don’t miss it and good luck Lucy!

UPDATED: Congratulations to Lucy who, although unplaced, had a great ‘spin’ round Cheltenham on Richmond who jumped really well.