A MAINSTAY of point-to-pointing has had his efforts recognised with a national award.
Dick Pike was due to collect the Cynthia Higgon Award for services to the sport at their recent National Dinner. He was unable to attend and former champion NH jockey, Bob Davies, stepped into the breech and presented the prestigious trophy at a local meet on New Year’s Day instead.
For five decades, Dick Pike’s distinguished figure has been in the thick of point to point action, from preparation of the course at Garnons, and previous to 1982, Belmont, to the taking of entries.
For a quarter of a century, he acted as secretary to both the South Herefordshire Hunt fixture, and to the Welsh Border area PPSA, organising both with the minimum of fuss.
He has partnered his own horses between the flags for over three decades, only reluctantly hanging up his boots as he neared 70.
Such stalwarts as Willie Peep, Rupert Withy, Sound Golly, Sea Patrol and The Hearty Joker have given him great ‘spins’, and some memorable moments, including a hard-slogging victory in a Pentyrch four-mile ‘National’.
Liz Morgans, who took over the reins as PPSA secretary on Mr Pike’s retirement, was on hand to witness the presentation. “It was quite emotional,” she related, “Dick has worked so hard for the sport for so long, but he was surprised and shocked to be recognised for it.”
Preparations are under way for the first fixture between the flags in this area, at Garnons on Sunday, March 6, first race 1pm.