Jockey, aged four, will be a star: stable owner

A pint-sized four-year-old jockey has landed thousands of dollars in sponsorship and has the makings of a great champion, a British stable owner says.
Somerset boy Arron Butterfield won his first riding-show prize when he was just two, and garnered more than 25 rosettes in last year’s season.
At just three feet tall (91cm), the junior jump jockey vaults fences like a professional on his mount - a Welsh mountain pony called Pickles.
Arron still goes to kindergarten during the week, before heading out with his dad and former jockey Alex Butterfield for two hours of riding each day.
In the past year, he has taken first prize in four local horse shows - sometimes beating adult competitors, and regularly beating junior riders twice his age.
Heather Collingwood who runs Brookover Farm stables, where Arron rides, is certain he will make it as top jockey.
“It’s very unusual for someone of that age to be so dedicated. He comes here every day and mucks out and has a very mature attitude. His ambition is to become a jockey. Most children his age are just happy to play with their train sets,” Collingwood said.
“Despite being the youngest at the stables, he is very confident and enjoys his riding and looking after the horse.
“He’s certainly one to put a bet on for the future. I’m certain we’ll see him on the television when he’s older because he’s so determined.”
This year Arron was awarded four different sponsorship deals worth a total of STG3,750 ($A8,213).
The money has bought a horse trailer which will bear the names of his patrons, who are local businessmen.

www.thewest.com.au