Micky's Pembrokeshire
page revision date :
|
 Fine tally of winners after great start So horse-racing was very much in Vernon’s blood and he took up point-to-pointing as an earnest young jockey at the age of 20, and in the next decade was runner up in the Welsh Championship on three occasions, with a final tally of 67 winners from more races than he cares to remember, plus four more winners under National Hunt rules at venues like Hereford, Warwick and Chepstow, plus a photo finish at Cheltenham when he was just beaten on Joe Perkins’ fine horse ‘No Scotch’. He was actually successful from the start as Gwyn Evans’ horse, named ‘Mythlaw’ took him to victory in his very first race, at the Vale of Clettwr. He carried on racing until he was almost 36 but then decided that work on the farm had to come first and so he stepped down from racing. Turned talents to other things But he still had that love of horses and turned his talents to successful breeding of good-quality horses. Included in his successes has been ‘Waldo’s Dream, who won at Hereford and Bangor, as well as being placed five times from its 11 starts. He joined forces with well-known locals in Geraint Bowen, Roger Goodwin and Steve Griffiths in owning Waldo’s Dream – and told us, “We all own a leg each,” with a typical Beynon chuckle! Vernon also has ‘Millennium Pride’ a full sister to ‘Waldo’s Dream’ as another very good horse. |
 Still playing cricket – and causing mayhem! As well as his affinity for horses, Vernon has also enjoyed playing cricket, previously turning out for Llanddewi Velfrey and Whitland but having played for Crymych at Glandy Cross for a number of years. His most recent match saw him bowl a couple of overs, one a maiden, and he still loves to turn out whenever he is needed. Stories about Vernon in cricket abound, and our favourite is the one about his umpiring in a friendly match against Whitland where another real character named John ‘Hogg’ Davies appealed for LBW and was turned down by Mr Beynon. When John asked at the end of the over why he hadn’t given the decision, because it looked plumb, Vernon replied, “He helps me on the hay, John bach, so I daren’t give him out, now, could I?” Even John had to agree that it seemed a pretty good answer, on the whole! And finally . . . And that just about sums up Vernon’s approach to whatever sport he is involved in. He clearly has a love of point-to-pointing and he has a wealth of stories to illustrate the characters he has come across, guaranteed to make you chuckle. But his love of horses is also very evident and it is clear that he has been heavily involved for many years – and long may he continue to been seen at point-to-point meetings in our county! Photos: Vernon Beynon with old pal Phil Mathias Vernon Beynon checking on the time-keepers Vernon Beynon and friends |
| 
