Support your local point-to-point this Easter

After a very wet March, where point-to-pointing fixtures across the country were hit hard and a number of meetings had to be abandoned due to waterlogged ground, it looks far more positive for Easter weekend. With 15 fixtures scheduled to take place, the forecast is encouraging for what is traditionally one of the busiest weekends of the point-to-pointing season.

The action kicks off at the Essex & Suffolk’s meeting at Higham in Suffolk on Good Friday, whilst there are five meetings scheduled for Saturday 8^th April. A further nine meetings will take place on Easter Monday (10^th April), from the Four Burrow Hunt’s fixture in the west of Cornwall at Trebudannon to the Tynedale at Corbridge in Northumberland, there is action the length and breadth of the country.

Dozens of volunteers are required to ensure the success of every fixture which takes place, meaning there are always vacancies for car parking attendants or race-card sellers, so if you can spare a few hours, offering your services is always appreciated by the organisers. Otherwise, attending your local point-to-point at any time throughout the season is also a way of showing your support for those hunts which work tirelessly to put on their meeting whatever the weather.

For those who have never been to one before, a point-to-point is a form of amateur horse racing which takes place over fences held at a variety of point-to-point racecourses throughout the UK. These days out in the countryside are where people come together to enjoy the sport and to socialise, providing the perfect opportunity to watch thrilling racing over a picnic with friends and friends. All courses have a bar, catering, toilets and betting facilities, with many also having trade stands and children’s entertainment too. Dogs are usually welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times and the majority of meetings will have a hound parade where children are welcome to greet the local pack of hounds.

To learn more about point-to-pointing and how to get involved, click here.

Details of the Easter weekend’s fixtures can be found below – click on the meeting to see the racecard for each meeting.

Friday 7^th April                

• Essex & Suffolk Hunt, Higham

Saturday 8^th April           

• Bedale Hunt, Hornby Castle, Yorkshire
• Kimblewick Races, Kimble, Buckinghamshire
• North Staffordshire Hunt, Sandon, Staffordshire
• Pytchley with Woodland, Dingley
• Silverton Foxhounds, Dunsmore

Monday 10^th April          

• Aldington Races, Aldington, Kent
• Cresselly Hunt, Lystep, Dyfed
• Four Burrow Hunt, Trebudannon, Cornwall
• North Cotswold Hunt, Paxford, Gloucestershire
• Old Berkshire Hunt, Lockinge, Oxfordshire
• South Notts Hunt, Thorpe Lodge
• South Shropshire Hunt, Eyton-on-Severn, Shropshire
• Taunton Vale Foxhounds & Taunton Vale Harriers Hunts, Cothelstone, Somerset
• Tynedale Hunt, Corbridge, Northumberland

Image: Tim Holt