How to get involved in point-to-pointing

In this article from our membership magazine, My Countryside, Carl Evans explains the many rewarding ways you can get involved with the exciting sport of point-to-pointing.

Colour, flair, action – you will find all three when spending an afternoon at a point-to-point.

Newcomers can find some aspects mystifying, but if you like sport in rural locations and one that is open to a wide range of ages and abilities, it is worth the effort to find out more. Thoroughbred horses are magnificent creatures and getting involved with them in a racing environment provides so much reward.

To clear up the first mystery, point-to-pointing refers to the racing of horses from one point to another point. In the early days this was straight across country, but the creation of roughly circular racecourses gave the public a better view. Hunts took on the organisation and added the sport to fundraising activities.

Until 2016, horses had to attend a minimum of four hunts each season before they could run in point-to-points. That requirement has been dropped, but owners have to purchase a hunter certificate in order to qualify their horse. Some owners like their pointers to go hunting, and a few hours with hounds can renew enthusiasm in horses who appear jaded by routine.

Four-year-old horses can begin point-to-pointing, and if they're talented enough they may progress to racing under Rules (professional racing as seen on television). Conversely, plenty of hurdlers and chasers who have raced under Rules are sold to race in point-to-points as a way of extending their careers. Southfield Theatre, a classy chaser when trained by Paul Nicholls, switched to pointing in 2018 and last season, at the age of 14, won eight races and gained the leading horse title.

He is but one example of the links between pointing and professional jump racing, while there is another strand between those two forms of racing and hunting: many people develop a love of racing after experiencing the thrill of hunting, and some of the best jockeys learned skills following hounds.

Starting Point

For anyone thinking of going to a point-to-point for the first time, www.pointtopoint.co.uk, the national website, carries lots of information including news, fixtures and locations. Race meetings run from November to June and entry for spectators is about £10 to £15 for adults with free admission for under-16s. Dogs on leads are welcome and spring meetings are most popular.

Riding in races

Riders can start competing at 16 years old and there is no upper-age limit, although mandatory medical tests become more regular once past the age of 40.

Buying your own horse and training it yourself or placing it with a trainer is the easiest route to the starting line, but if you take a job in a yard and work hard you may be rewarded with a ride in a race.

Newcomers must prove their competence to a jockey coach before applying for a Riders Qualification Certificate (RQC).

Fran Poste, whose husband Charlie is a jockey coach, trains in Warwickshire and has helped numerous riders of all ages to get involved. She says: "When someone new approaches us with a view to riding in races I start by asking about their experience, and whether they have been hunting, eventing or show jumping. Getting an idea of their budget and how far they hope to push this ambition is useful. Are they hoping to become a professional jockey, or just keen to ride in one or two point-to-points?

"I'd then suggest they come to the yard and ride out so we can learn a bit more. If they or their parents can afford to buy a horse, we look at options, although we do have a couple of older horses in the yard that can give a novice a ride in races if they work hard.

"You cannot just expect to ride in races without the base layers, and that comes down to the individual and how much effort they put in. We are not born natural jockeys."

Ownership

Turn the clock back 50 years or more and the majority of owners of point-to-pointers were farmers or landowners who trained their own horses. The well-heeled often handed the job to their stud groom but took the kudos when the horse won.

As roads and horse transport improved and lifestyles changed the sport became less parochial and more competitive. Livery yards, owned by horsemen and women who specialised in training pointers, catered for people who were too busy or lacked the facilities to do the job. This broadened ownership.

Regretfully, the sport does not have a directory of trainers which would enable newbies to find a contact near their homes, but one solution is to visit a point-to-point and speak to owners or trainers. Owners of a winner are easy to spot for they will receive a trophy in the winners' enclosure, or you could ask for advice in the tent marked "secretary". Failing that, take a walk around the lorry park and you will find owners and trainers – they will not all be based near your home but will know someone who is.

Pointing has plenty to offer and is family friendly says Dean Summersby, who combines rearing duck and quail and training pointers on the Devon/ Cornwall border. He says: "Most owners find their way to our yard through word of mouth. If someone new approached me I'd suggest they come to our yard to see what we're doing. Are they keen to own their own horse, take a share in a horse – a quarter is typical – or would they prefer to pay £20 a week to be in a larger syndicate?
"I tend to buy young horses who have run in Irish point-to-points but failed to make the grade. They often improve with time. Chosen Lucky [who failed in three Irish points at the age of five] cost £6,000 and has now won 14 races."

Training

Many people start by training their own horse, go on to train for others and some progress to being licensed trainers who run horses under Rules.

Working or riding out at a yard is a good starting point for learning aspects of feeding, simple veterinary and the all-important process of bringing a horse to peak fitness.

Northumberland's Nick Orpwood, a rider and trainer, says: "My advice to someone starting out is to mix in, learn the lingo and get a feel for a racing yard. We're all competitive, but happy to help others. If someone came to me and said, 'Could I bring my horse to your place to do some work?' I'd say yes.

"When your horse is fit enough to race find an experienced rider who can school your horse over fences and give feedback. That is particularly important if you have a young horse – you don't want to put two novices together."

Administration and volunteers

Point-to-pointing has existed through finding people who are happy to take part in behind-the-scenes roles that make the sport add up.

That could be helping out with course preparation, becoming a starter, a judge or a clerk of the scales, taking up the role of secretary of a meeting, a fence judge or car park attendant.

These roles have invariably been taken by people who follow hunts, enjoy hounds and want to give something back, but that is not a requirement. If you want to get involved, speak to the secretary at any point-to-point.

Image credit: Tracy Kidd