LUDLOW’S Melanie Langford finished in equal third place in the Wales and Border Counties Harness Racing Ladies' Championship for 2015.

She collected a creditable eight wins over the season, three of which came at Gilwern in August, the same as Clunderwen’s Bridget Lewis, and just one behind runner-up Debbie Hitchcock from Haverfordwest with nine. Winner Louisa Barton from Narberth was well clear with 20 wins to her name.

Nineteen meetings were held during the year, including one at Ludlow, with the charity race at Talsarn on September 19 closing the season. A charity meeting to finish the campaign is a tradition and this year the Talsarn committee donated £3,352 between Mencap Ceredigion and St John's Ambulance Ceredigion.

Twelve horses won over £1,000 and one, Bon Jasper, won over £2,000 clocking up seven wins. This 12-year-old horse belonging to the Jones family from Llanllwni made history by winning the iconic Grade A Final at Penybont for the third time in a row, a feat never achieved previously.

Bon Jasper also carried off the Lynn Newey trophy for highest prize money, the People’s Choice trophy as well as the Terry Boxhall trophy for outstanding performance.

The horse which recorded the highest number of wins was Lakeside Pan who achieved 13 wins from 27 starts, much to the obvious delight of his owner John Elder from Newquay, a dedicated follower of Mid Wales racing for 70 years or more. The champion driver of 2015 was Andrew Hardwick from Brecon who snapped up 36 wins. Runner-up Andrew Hardwick from Brecon collected 30 wins and the 2014 champion, Derek Pritchard from Rhosgoch, finished third with 28.

The Saddle Jockey award went to Emma Layton from Dihewyd with Painscastle’s Jacob Webb second. The Junior Champion was Anna Lewis, from Clunderwen, who retained the Ann Jones Memorial Cup.