Bluffers Guide to Point to Pointing

Added: (Tue Dec 28 2004)

Pressbox (Press Release) - The Bluffer's Guide to Point to Pointing
When Oliver Cromwell came to power, he was so perturbed by horse racing's elitist appeal that he banned it.* Clearly Cromwell had never been to a point to point race. Had he had the opportunity, he would have seen ordinary folk with their families and friends following a spectacle of hunting men racing their hunters across country from steeple to steeple. Thus the origin of the name 'steeplechasing'.

Point to point racing meets began around the mid 19th century. Some describe it as steeplechase racing for amateurs but really it should not be confused with amateur racing since there is a separate professional "Amateur Jockey Assocation". More confusion? Ok, point to point races are affiliated with local hunts and, as the hunting season comes to a close, the point to point season starts to kick off.

No professionals, thank you
'Mike', a London businessman, took up riding in his 30s. Then he bought a horse. Then he started hunting. Then he relocated to a yard in Beds to take up point to pointing. This season, the oldest point to point jockey that will be racing is age 63. Point to point racing is not open to professionals and most jockeys own and ride their own horses. They may ride other people's horses but are not allowed to be paid to do so. To be a Point to Point jockey, you must be at least 16 years old and have a Riders' Qualification Certificate which certifies that you are affililated with a hunt in some way and have paid fees accordingly. Lady riders are certainly welcome.

Point to point race horses must be Weatherbys registered Thoroughbreds but, like the jockeys, 'professional racehorses' are excluded. To be eligible to race, a horse must be a minimum of five years old and have a 'Hunter Certificate' which is obtainable from the hunt secretary and is evidence that the horse has been hunting at least four times during the season.

And they're off
The race meets themselves are held on weekends and holidays at around 120 courses around Britain. These courses are usually temporarily staged on farmland, are approximately 3 miles long and have about 18 brush jumps (these look like hedges and are easy to knock down). Like other types of racing, there are normally seven or eight races per meet and a good choice of bookies prevail.

Point to point racing makes for a nice family day out with most racegoers driving in and paying a flat £20/car and bringing kids, dogs, food and friends. What you won't see are fancy hats and stiletto heels. You will still see champagne, but mixed with tweed.

In place of Ascot style corporate hospitality suites are elaborate tailgate parties pouring out of the backs of Land Rovers. Indeed, the picnic planning is a spectacle worthy in itself with fans bringing tables, chairs, full marquees, gourmet food spreads and endless bubbly. Should this seem all too much effort, or you drive a Mini instead of a Range Rover, there are plenty of food and drink stands on hand (and other shopping as well). Corporate entertaining is not prevalent but can be done via a catering company like Picnic Anywhere, of Tunbridge Wells, who will provide marquee and a barbeque for your clients. Just be sure your guests expect port-a-potties rather than flush loos!

The future of point to pointing is just as certain as that of foxhunting. The season runs from January to June so if your New Year's Resolution is to sample something different then you may find a list of the Southeast's upcoming race meets and directions at: www.pointingsepages,co.uk. February's meets are as follows:
Sunday, February 6th, noon, Southdown & Eridge Hunt at Court Farm, Tandridge, Near Godstone, Surrey
Sunday the 20th, noon, South East Hunts Club at Charing (between Ashford & Maidstone), Kent
Saturday the 26th, 1145 am, Chiddingfold, Leconfield & Cowdray at Parham, West Sussex

*Incidentally, Cromwell's ban was lifted within fout years!
source:
The Origins of Horse Racing in Britain from www.channel4.com/science/microsites/S/science/society/horseracing_history.html by Nigel Cooper, June 2003

Other information taken from www.thejockeyclub.co.uk. You may learn more about Point to Point racing at this website.