Polly Gundry
Amateur rider Polly Gundry was born into a horse orientated family. Her mother Helen jumped around Badminton Horse trials and also rode Dick Bainbridge’s horses in ladies’ point-to-points, enjoying plenty of success in that sphere. Helen was also Master of the Berkeley Hunt for more than 20 years. Polly’s father Robin hunted hounds in the South Dorset and Wynnstay countries.
Amateur rider Polly Gundry was born into a horse orientated family. Her mother Helen jumped around Badminton Horse trials and also rode Dick Bainbridge’s horses in ladies’ point-to-points, enjoying plenty of success in that sphere. Helen was also Master of the Berkeley Hunt for more than 20 years. Polly’s father Robin hunted hounds in the South Dorset and Wynnstay countries.
Born on 3 July, 1975, Polly’s background naturally revolved around hunting, eventing and racing. She hunted with the Berkeley, South Dorset, Duke of Beaufort’s and the Wynnstay. She began riding in point-to-points when aged 16.
Born on 3 July, 1975, Polly’s background naturally revolved around hunting, eventing and racing. She hunted with the Berkeley, South Dorset, Duke of Beaufort’s and the Wynnstay. She began riding in point-to-points when aged 16.
In 1997 she took over the ride on Richard Barber’s top-class point-to-pointer Earthmover, going on to win two ladies’ opens on him and four hunter chases, most notably the Greig Middleton Ladies’ Championship Hunter Chase at Chepstow and the John Corbet Cup Champion Novice Hunters’ Chase at Stratford, both in 1997.
In 1997 she took over the ride on Richard Barber’s top-class point-to-pointer Earthmover, going on to win two ladies’ opens on him and four hunter chases, most notably the Greig Middleton Ladies’ Championship Hunter Chase at Chepstow and the John Corbet Cup Champion Novice Hunters’ Chase at Stratford, both in 1997.
Her most high-profile victory came aboard the Paul Nicholls-trained Torduff Express in the 2002 Fox Hunters’ Chase at Aintree, beating Gunner Welburn by 13 lengths. It was Polly’s first time over the Grand National fences and she gave her mount a textbook ride.
Her most high-profile victory came aboard the Paul Nicholls-trained Torduff Express in the 2002 Fox Hunters’ Chase at Aintree, beating Gunner Welburn by 13 lengths. It was Polly’s first time over the Grand National fences and she gave her mount a textbook ride.
She went on to become champion lady point-to-point rider eight times, breaking the record for the number of career wins by a lady rider in the process.
She went on to become champion lady point-to-point rider eight times, breaking the record for the number of career wins by a lady rider in the process.
She first contemplated giving up race-riding when landing the ladies’ title for the seventh time – then a record – in the 2008/09 season. However, she decided to continue, determined to beat the 287-winner record set by Alison Dare in 1993. She achieved that by riding a double at Wadebridge in 2010, equalling the record when winning on Mulligan’s Pet, then breaking it aboard Ned The Post. To make it an even more special occasion, both winners were trained by her partner Ed Walker. She went on to add a further ladies’ championship, her eighth, that season.
She first contemplated giving up race-riding when landing the ladies’ title for the seventh time – then a record – in the 2008/09 season. However, she decided to continue, determined to beat the 287-winner record set by Alison Dare in 1993. She achieved that by riding a double at Wadebridge in 2010, equalling the record when winning on Mulligan’s Pet, then breaking it aboard Ned The Post. To make it an even more special occasion, both winners were trained by her partner Ed Walker. She went on to add a further ladies’ championship, her eighth, that season.
With that target safely under her belt, Polly then set her sights on riding 300 winners. She duly achieved that milestone when Wee Fly landed the Western ladies’ open for owner Ross Oliver, one of Polly’s great supporters, on March 12, 2011.
With that target safely under her belt, Polly then set her sights on riding 300 winners. She duly achieved that milestone when Wee Fly landed the Western ladies’ open for owner Ross Oliver, one of Polly’s great supporters, on March 12, 2011.
She announced her retirement, aged 35, the following month, on April 5, 2011, two days after riding a treble at the Cotley point-to-point at Great Trethew in Cornwall, bringing to an end a highly successful 19-year career. In addition to her 303 point-to-point winners she rode another 56 under National Hunt rules.
She announced her retirement, aged 35, the following month, on April 5, 2011, two days after riding a treble at the Cotley point-to-point at Great Trethew in Cornwall, bringing to an end a highly successful 19-year career. In addition to her 303 point-to-point winners she rode another 56 under National Hunt rules.
She had been granted her National Hunt trainer’s licence in February that year and had already saddled her first winner, Fort View at Newbury on March 4, 2011.
She had been granted her National Hunt trainer’s licence in February that year and had already saddled her first winner, Fort View at Newbury on March 4, 2011.
Polly now trains under NH rules while Ed Walker has taken over the training of her point-to-pointers. The yard has grown in size and now holds more than 30 horses. They also found time to get married and have two children, Daisy and Bertie.
Polly now trains under NH rules while Ed Walker has taken over the training of her point-to-pointers. The yard has grown in size and now holds more than 30 horses. They also found time to get married and have two children, Daisy and Bertie.