The adage ‘never give up’ was seen to great effect in both Devon and Cornwall Area pony racing finals at Umberleigh on Saturday, writes Lee Glanville.

Tyler Heard’s pony Angelic was misbehaving at the start of the 138 race and missed the break.

The start is crucial in flat racing and especially at Umberleigh which is the shortest pony race of the season.

But Heard pushed on and had caught up the field on the approach to the bend, overtaking as he went and he overhauled long time leaders Mocking Bird and Penway Tap Dance in a blanket finish.

Heard won by a short head, Penway Tap Dance (Lorcan Williams) was second and Mocking Bird (Ben Godfrey) third.

The 148 race saw a duel at the front between Tarka (Tina Smith) and Total Eclipse ( Hannah Welch).

Both girls were having their last point to point pony race as they will turn 16 shortly ( although Welch will continue in the Charles Owen racecourse series til the end of the season).

As they hit the final climb Total Eclipse held the advantage but Smith drove Tarka on and claimed a win by eight lengths with first season pony Black Pearl (Hugo Hunt) back in third.

Smith also took the overall area points championship on Tarka, winning the Synderborough Farm Rising Stars Trophy, and Tamby Welch won the 138s points trophy, finishing runner- up to Smith overall, on Bronze Lawrance.

All trophies and awards will be presented at the end of season awards night, held jointly with the Wessex Area, at Exeter Racecourse on July 6.

?Full results at www.sidmouthherald.co.uk