Lee-Chung: Meeting Due Monday

Grand National Party (GNP) and President Lee Myung bak Chairman Rep. Chung Mong joon will meet over breakfast today at Cheong Wa Dae to discuss pending political issues, GNP officials said Sunday. On the agenda will be the National Assembly's planned inspection of ministries and government agencies, which will start Thursday, the result of the by-elections last week and the growing controversy over the government's move to modify the Sejong City project, the officials said. It will the third one-on-one meeting between Lee and Chung since the latter replaced Park Hee tae as the chairman of the governing party in early September. Park was one of the two GNP candidates who won Assembly seats in the by elections to pick five lawmakers. The main opposition Democratic Party won the other three seats. The gathering is taking place at a time when junior GNP lawmakers are calling for restructuring of the party's leadership and post election measures to regain public confidence.Some critics said the outcome of the elections indicates weakening public backing for Lee's major policies, such as the project to refurbish four rivers nationwide and the amendment of the Sejong City plan."Lee and Chung will focus on setting up a future course of action to get more public support for state policies,'' a spokesman said. "Lee is expected to call for the GNP's support for policies for working class families and low income earners, while suggesting measures to ease conflicts with opposition parties."

Represented in Cabinet to Four Lawmakers

The announcement of a new Cabinet lineup Thursday marks a major turning point for President Lee Myung bak and the governing Grand National Party (GNP) in their try to spur economic recuperation and promote social integration, analysts say.One of the key characteristics of the new Cabinet is that it has become younger, reflecting Lee's push for political and economic reform. Of the seven ministers assign, including former Seoul National University president Chung Un chan, named the next Prime Minister, five are in their 40s and 50s. The average age of ministers will fall to 59 from the current 62.4 if all the nominations are sanctioned by the National Assembly.The comprehension of three GNP lawmakers Choi Kyung hwan, Yim Tah hee and Joo Ho young also came as a surprise.Recently, Lee has only one lawmaker turned minister Health, Welfare and Family Affairs Minister Jeon Jae hee."The GNP has requested more opportunities for lawmakers to come into the Cabinet as most presidential staff and ministers have little experience in politics," a GNP spokesman said. "The current reshuffle reflects these concerns and indicates Cheong Wa Dae will strengthen communication with the governing party in setting up a future course of action."Lee's choice of Rep. Choi, connected with former GNP Chairwoman Rep. Park Geun hye, also advise that he will reflect opinions from diverse political factions in managing state affairs. Some GNP officials said the decision means that Lee has offered an olive branch to Rep. Park to address physical conflicts ahead of the by elections next month."Considering Park's influence on her GNP colleagues, it will be almost impossible for the governing party to win the elections and overcome future political challenges," the spokesman said.Cheong Wa Dae officials said the reshuffle is also aimed at addressing regional and ideological divisions.Premier nominee Chung, a veteran economist, will interchange Han Seung soo to become the second prime minister since Lee's inauguration in February last year.Chung's appointment was largely unexpected as he had been touted as a potential candidate of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) for the next presidential race."Chung is the best choice for prime minister as he has rested neutral over ideological and regional conflicts," a presidential spokesman said. "We believe he will realise President Lee's goals of overcoming the economic crisis, stabilising the livelihood of common people and resolving political and ideological divisions."In his autobiography, published in 2007, Chung said he was a realist, adding he was neither a pro government person nor conservative. He picked Deng Xiao Ping as a perfect example of a leader for a country.

GRAND NATIONAL WINNER FOR SUMMER CAMP

Cowdray Hunt Pony Club members had a special treat when Grand National winner Liam Treadwell joined them for the last night of their week-long senior camp.
Parents also arrived to watch the match and there was very happy to see win of there son
the Eventers Challenge grand finale of the camp and see Liam, a former member of the Cowdray Pony Club, present the prizes. Branch secretary Zoe Jones, who organised the event with district commissioner Maggie Mockett, said: "He came for the day to meet the members, have a tour of the stables, watch the competition and hand out the trophies to the prize-winners.
He gave an physically interesting talk about his early ridding career with cowdray pony club, showing capture of his ridding jumping one of his first ponies, Huckleberry, who is still being ridden today by a pony club child.
After passed his racing suddenly which he used in the Grand National, he gave answer which belongs to race itself and the preparation required to race
at this level. "We all felt very proud that his riding career started with the Cowdray Pony Club. He went on to say that many of the jockeys today were members of the Pony Club."The camp was held on the Hammerwood estate at Iping for members aged between 11 and 16."It teaches them to look after their ponies and the importance of tack and turnout," said Mrs Jones.

The 2009 Grand National was won by Liam Treadwell

The 2009 Grand National was won by 100/1 rank-outsider Mon Mome ridden by Grand National debutant jockey Liam Treadwell. He is the biggest-priced winner since Foinavon in 1967 and the first winner trained by a woman (Venetia Williams) since the days of Jenny Pitman. The horse came 10th in the Grand National last year and carried 11 stone for the race

Grand National Course and Fences

The Grand National is the ultimate test of horse and jockey. The race comprises two full circuits of a unique 2¼ mile (3,600 metres) course, where challengers will face 30 of the most testing fences in the world of jump racing.

Each of the 16 fences on the course are jumped twice, with the exception of The Chair and the Water Jump, which are jumped on the first circuit only.

The Start

There is a hazard to overcome even before the race starts - the build up, parade and re-girthing prior to the off lasts for around 25 minutes, over double the time it takes for any other race.

With 40 starters, riders naturally want a good sight of the first fence and after the long build-up their nerves are stretched to breaking point, which means the stewards' pre-race warning to go steady is often totally ignored.

Becher's Brook: Although the fence looks innocuous from the take-off side, the steep drop on the landing side, together with a left-hand turn on landing, combine to make this the most thrilling and famous fence in the horse racing world. The fence actually measures 6 ft 9 in on the landing side, a drop of 2 ft from take off.

Becher's Brook earned its name when a top jockey, Captain Martin Becher, took shelter in the brook after being unseated. "Water tastes disgusting without the benefits of whisky" he reflected.

The Chair: The final two jumps of the first circuit form the only pair negotiated just once - and they could not be more different. The Chair is both the tallest (5ft 3in) and broadest fence on the course, with a 6ft wide ditch on the take-off side.

Water Jump: This 2ft 9in fence brings the first circuit to an end and the sight of the runners jumping it at speed presents a terrific spectacle in front of the grandstands.

The Finish

The 494-yard long run in from the final fence to the finish is the longest in the country and has an acute elbow halfway up it that further drains the then almost empty stamina reserves of both horse and jockey.

For numerous riders over the years, this elongated run-in has proved mental and physical agony when the winning post seems to be retreating with every weary stride.

Don't count your money until the post is reached as with the rest of the Grand National course, the run-in can - and usually does - change fortunes.