NICK SCHOLFIELD AND ROSE DAVIDSON CROWNED 2007/8 NH CHAMPIONS

25-05-2008

 Many congratulations to Nick Scholfield and to Rose Davidson for winning their respective Gentlemens Amateur and Ladies Amateur NH Championships!  Having crept up on Thomas Greenall’s lead following Thomas being sidelined with injuries sustained from a fall back in March, Nick began the week with Thomas on 19 wins, and Nick left it until his last day riding as an amateur on the last day of the amateurs’ season before going one better and taking the Championship with 20 wins.  In a fairytale beginning to his professional career, Nick then went on to ride a winner at Uttoxeter today in his first paying ride, and we wish him every success for his future as a professional jockey. 

Rose Davidson has had an incredible season, an unforgettable week with her engagement announced to long time partner Tony Dobbin and 4 winners in 4 days to make history by becoming the first lady jump jockey ever to exceed the gentlemen and become the most prolific winning amateur jump jockey of the season with 21 wins.  

Rose’s penultimate win of the season was the Cadale Ladies Finale at Wetherby, which obviously excluded gentlemen amateur jockeys from participating but counted towards her winning total.  The championships have always been, and will always be, decided in two categories, those being one for ladies and one for gentlemen.  This is essential whilst male and female races exist, counting towards each respective championship, such races being Towcester’s Volkswagen Touareg Gentleman’s Championship Hunterchase, Stratford’s Jon Pinfold Ladies Hunterchase and numerous ladies’ hurdle races.  In any case, the AJA could be accused of double standards if Rose was awarded the title of overall amateur champion when in the past there has never been such a title given to any overall winning champion gentleman.  This is therefore not a sexist issue but a historical one as there is no precedent for an overall champion. 

Well done to gallant runners up Thomas Greenall and Jacqui Kidd, and well done also to every member who has ridden a winner this season!  Many thanks to the many trainers who have supported amateur riders and to the racecourses themselves who have allowed us all to enjoy such a fantastic season.