LYDFORD based point-to-point trainer Pauline Geering has had double success with her horses this month who have recently enjoyed wins at two of Devon’s local tracks.

At the beginning of the month at a meet at Vauterhill near Torrington, her horse Bricks And Beams won the three-mile Open Maiden by a length. The 2/1 favourite is owned in partnership by Pauline’s sister, Tracey Langdon and three others.

Pauline followed this success up five days later by training the winning horse at the Maiden at Flete Park, near Modbury, with Eddie’s Pearl, which was backed from 5/1 down to 5/2 second favourite. Eddie’s Pearl is owned by a large syndicate of locals who include Bratton Clovelly publican Torben Hughes and former bookmaker John Hopkins from Walkhampton.

Both horses had raced unsuccessfully in Ireland and  were sired by Craigsteel, with Eddie’s Pearl having King George winner Florida Pearl on her dams side.

Pauline has one other horse under her care, From The Getgo, a 6 year-old owned by her son Harry and husband Tony.

Pauline, along with Tony, has been training horses for many years and been in Lydford for 22 of those. They also have a connection with a renowed figure in the sport as Tony’s first cousin is, John Gosden, the national champion flat trainer.

Pauline said ownership through syndicates are a great way to spread costs and involve individuals in the added excitement of seeing their horses take part in the racing.

She is delighted with her recent victories.

Pauline told the Times: ‘It is becoming more and more difficult nowadays to have wins in the point- to-point because for an “amateur” sport there are now people who are spending a lot of money on their horses, so it becomes harder to win as time goes on.

‘Point-to-point used to be mainly backed by the farming community but now it is becoming more popular and in many ways more professional, which is a good thing.

‘The horses are fitter and there is more emphasis on safety, which makes it better for the jockeys and the horses.’

Equestrianism is not the only sport in the very sporting Geering family — with all three long associated with Lewdown Cricket Club and West Devon cricket — with Harry, a former captain and current first team player.

Now Pauline is hoping for further success at the end of the month with all three of her charges set to race at the point to point meet at Upcott Cross on Bank Holiday Monday, May 29.