Point-to-Point racing is steeplechasing for amateurs. It is run under the sanction and regulations of the British Horseracing Authority while each Meeting is run at a local level by a Hunt or recognised Point-to-Point Club.

The season runs from December to June and there are over 200 fixtures each season, with the majority being held at weekends. The majority of races are run over 3 miles with a minimum of 18 fences to be jumped. However, there are a few longer races (up to 4 miles) and a number of 2 ½ mile races for maidens.

A large number of riders, owners, trainers and officials all received their first taste of racing from Point-to-Points. The sport encourages and educates young jockeys in race-riding as recent examples Joe Tizzard, Tom Scudamore, Mark Bradburne, Ben Hitchcott and Richard Johnson illustrate, all having made the transition from Point-to-Points to National Hunt racing with considerable success.

Likewise many horses that started their racing careers in Point-to-Points graduate to the highest level of National Hunt racing. Recent graduates include:

Ad Hoc (winner - 2001 Whitbread Gold Cup)

See More Business (winnner - 1999 Cheltenham Gold Cup, 1997 & 1999 King George VI Chase, 1999 & 2000 Charlie Hall Chase, 2000 Aon Chase, 2000 Martell Cup, 2001 Pillar Property Chase)

Teeton Mill (winner - 1998 King George VI Chase, 1998 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, 1999 Mitsubishi Shogun Ascot Chase)

Cool Dawn (winner - 1998 Cheltenham Gold Cup)

Harwell Lad (winner - 1997 Whitbread Gold Cup)

Coome Hill (winner - 1996 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup).

In addition, Best Mate, the winner of the 2002, 2003 and 2004 Cheltenham Gold Cups, started his career point-to-pointing in Ireland.

For a brief history of Point-to-Pointing, please click here.