Dartmoor point-to-point bids to restart season
NEW plans for the return of point-topoint racing in Devon and Cornwall post-lockdown have been revealed, writes Athwenna Irons.
Pointing, a hugely popular rural pursuit and the amateur grass roots of National Hunt, has been on hold since the start of January following the latest national lockdown.
In line with the Government’s road map, announced two weeks ago to cautiously ease restrictions, the Devon and Cornwall Point-toPoint Secretaries Association has said it plans to restart the 2020-21 season on Easter Saturday, April 3, with the Spooners and West Dartmoor Hunt’s annual meeting at Cherrybrook, near Tavistock.
In a statement, the organisation sets out how it plans to hold a total of 11 fixtures through to the middle of June, with the first six of those taking place behind closed doors. From
May 17, hopes are that a limited number of public spectators will be allowed to attend. The fixtures will run under strict Covid-19 rules and with the permission of the local authority.
No horse owners will be able to attend until at least April 10.
Frank Yeo and Gordon Chambers, chairman and secretary respectively of the Devon and Cornwall Point-toPoint Secretaries Association, said:
“The organising committees and the voluntary supporters are making a huge effort to run the fixtures and provide a viable programme for point-to-point racing here in the Westcountry.”
The racing will be live-streamed and point-to-point fans will be able to follow the action through a new pay-per-view system by registering with Eventbrite, at a cost of £10 for the afternoon’s entertainment.