Point to Pointing Set to Resume In January 2002

Published: 25 September 2001

The Jockey Club Point to Point Liaison Committee (PPLC) has today confirmed that the 2002 Point-to Point season is set to start on schedule on Sunday, 6th January 2002.

The vast majority of the 2001 season was cancelled by the Committee in mid March in light of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak but next year’s programme of 210 fixtures has now been compiled and is due to be approved by the British Horseracing Board next month.

Assuming there is no major deterioration in the FMD situation venues will need to comply with the conditions laid down by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (DEFRA). Owners will be required to present signed declaration forms for their runners confirming compliance.

In the weeks ahead all participants will be made aware of the finer detail of the procedures through their respective associations, but owners will definitely have to provide a grid reference for the premises where their horse is trained when they lodge their Hunter Certificate.

Chairman of the Committee, Mark Davies, stated:
“We have taken advice from Jockey Club Chief Veterinary Adviser, Dr Peter Webbon and received landowners’ permission to hold meetings at virtually all courses. Whilst we can’t predict or rule out localised FMD flare-ups, we are confident that as things stand the 2002 season will get under way without too much disruption. All the associations are pulling together to make this happen”.

Notes for Editors:
1.Currently there are a small number of courses that are within infected areas, and only in the event of the infected area status being lifted will these courses be able to race.
2.The Point-to-Point Liaison Committee comprises representatives from The Jockey Club, Point-to-Point Owners & Riders Association, the Masters of Foxhounds Association and the Point-to-Point Secretaries Association. DEFRA’s Point to Point risk assessment can be found at defra.gov.uk.

September 25th 2001