Pointing under way with early start and streaming
Thousands watched online as the first meetings of autumn 2020 went ahead successfully behind closed doors
POINT-TO-POINTING marked a milestone on its early opening to the season, as thousands went online to watch a “live” stream in a first for the sport.
Devon and Cornwall area kicked off the season behind closed doors on 24 October with the East Devon fixture at Bishop’s Court.
The live-stream, run by We Stream Events and hosted by Cornelius Lysaght and Lizzie
Kelly, attracted more than 18,000 viewers.
H&H spoke to those involved ahead of Saturday’s lockdown announcement. As we went to print, the PPA was in discussions before making an announcement.
A team from the Devon and Cornwall area has been working since March on streaming, which has a fractional delay owing to betting integrity regulations.
Area secretary Gordon Chambers told H&H the day was a “test”, not helped by the weather, but they were thrilled to get the streaming, and season, going.
“Devon and Cornwall put our necks on the line and spent a considerable sum investing in equipment,” he said. “We set the bar for other areas, who have seen what can be done and are looking at how they can go about it.”
He added getting pointing going was important, for the racing, and keeping people connected to the sport and others at a time when many feel isolated.
The Ledbury at Maisemore the next day drew more than 7,000 views. Both fixtures also showed demand from different groups in, and all levels of, the sport.
Large fields also turned out for the Kimble on 1 November, which was live-streamed, hosted by Luke Harvey.
The Ledbury fixture looked in doubt, but organisers satisfied all the local authority’s additional demands to run safely.
“It was essential we kept going,” said West Midlands area chairman Jim Squires, praising all involved. “The number of runners shows the horses are there, people want to run and that justifies starting this season early.”
The trainer-jockey team of Melanie Rowley and Alex Edwards ended the first weekend as early leaders of their respective championships, (report, p62).
Alex told H&H organisers and the Point-to-Point Authority (PPA) did a “fantastic job”.
“The racing was very competitive, and the courses were in great nick,” he said, adding that streaming “has to continue”.
He said he hopes streaming could benefit the sport in many ways, by bringing it to more people, allowing those who could not come to still enjoy the day, as well as its financial and sponsorship potential.
PPA CEO Peter Wright said: “It always takes a lot of volunteer effort to run a point-to-point, but this year takes that to a whole different level.
“It’s often forgotten that we support thousands of jobs in the rural community, particularly youth. Getting going was vital, and I’m sure we can build on this.”