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Charles Frederick Thornton Poynder served in the Royal Navy and rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. He twice rode his horse Frankie D in the Grand Military Gold Cup in the late 1950s, running out on their first attempt in 1957 but completing the course last of five finishers in 1959.
Charles Frederick Thornton Poynder served in the Royal Navy and rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. He twice rode his horse Frankie D in the Grand Military Gold Cup in the late 1950s, running out on their first attempt in 1957 but completing the course last of five finishers in 1959.
He competed in races throughout the 1960s, his red-letter day in the saddle coming at Taunton on Saturday, May 22, 1965, when he rode Westerlands Diver (right) to a one-length victory in the Novices’ Selling Hurdle. It may have been a humble race with a winner’s prize of just £170 but it was a hugely satisfying moment for the winning rider.
He competed in races throughout the 1960s, his red-letter day in the saddle coming at Taunton on Saturday, May 22, 1965, when he rode Westerlands Diver (right) to a one-length victory in the Novices’ Selling Hurdle. It may have been a humble race with a winner’s prize of just £170 but it was a hugely satisfying moment for the winning rider.
That was the only winner Lieutenant-Commander Poynder ever rode under National Hunt rules. He finished second on 11-year-old Westmarsh in another Taunton hurdle race on October 16, 1965, but that was as close as he came. He also rode Westmarsh in the 1966 Past and Present Hurdle at Sandown but finished in arrears in the 22-runner contest.
That was the only winner Lieutenant-Commander Poynder ever rode under National Hunt rules. He finished second on 11-year-old Westmarsh in another Taunton hurdle race on October 16, 1965, but that was as close as he came. He also rode Westmarsh in the 1966 Past and Present Hurdle at Sandown but finished in arrears in the 22-runner contest.
He lived at his yard at Round the Bend, Sulham, near Pangbourne. His second wife, Fay, is the widow of National Hunt jockey Mick Pumfrey, who died in a fall at Newton Abbot.
He lived at his yard at Round the Bend, Sulham, near Pangbourne. His second wife, Fay, is the widow of National Hunt jockey Mick Pumfrey, who died in a fall at Newton Abbot.
His son, David, by Charles’ first wife, rode in a handful of point-to-points as Junior Radio Operator D. Poynder, possibly the only person of that rank to do so. On one occasion, in 1966, he and father contested the same race at Larkhill.
His son, David, by Charles’ first wife, rode in a handful of point-to-points as Junior Radio Operator D. Poynder, possibly the only person of that rank to do so. On one occasion, in 1966, he and father contested the same race at Larkhill.
Charles had one of his last rides under NH rules in the 1970 Past and Present Hurdle on Abdication, finishing unplaced.
Charles had one of his last rides under NH rules in the 1970 Past and Present Hurdle on Abdication, finishing unplaced.
His autobiography ‘Of Frigates and Fillies’, was published in 1994.
His autobiography ‘Of Frigates and Fillies’, was published in 1994.
He lived in Guernsey in retirement and, in August 2016, he was one of five Guernsey-based World War Two veterans to be honoured by Russia for their part in transporting crucial supplies. They were awarded the Ushakov medal by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation “for personal courage and valour shown”.
He lived in Guernsey in retirement and, in August 2016, he was one of five Guernsey-based World War Two veterans to be honoured by Russia for their part in transporting crucial supplies. They were awarded the Ushakov medal by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation “for personal courage and valour shown”.
The Medal of Ushakov is a state decoration of the Russian Federation that was retained from the awards system of the USSR post-1991. It is awarded to soldiers and sailors of the Navy and of the Border Guard Service of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation for bravery and courage displayed while defending the state borders in carrying out naval combat missions under conditions involving a risk to life.
The Medal of Ushakov is a state decoration of the Russian Federation that was retained from the awards system of the USSR post-1991. It is awarded to soldiers and sailors of the Navy and of the Border Guard Service of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation for bravery and courage displayed while defending the state borders in carrying out naval combat missions under conditions involving a risk to life.
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