The announcement this week of the fixture list for the winter ahead confirms that Barbury will stage 3 fixtures again, starting with the International on Sunday December 13.
The Vine & Craven, which has fallen foul of the weather in each of the past 2 years, will take place on Sunday February 7 whilst the final Tedworth fixture will coincide with the sport's most valuable fixture at Andoversford on Sunday April 11.
In recompense for the loss of all fixtures from late March through to the scheduled conclusion in June, the season will start with 6 fixtures from October 24 to November 15 at Bishops Court and Dunsmore in Devon, Charing in Kent, Maisemore and Chaddesley in the Midlands, and at Kimble.
Based on last season's experience, this should provide stronger fields and more competitive racing for mid winter fixtures like the International.
The earlier start is of course conditional on Covid-related issues. Peter Wright, CEO of the Point-to-Point AUthority, remarked, “There are three areas or issues which are going to influence the way in which Point-to-Point meetings can be staged at the end of October: the state of progress nationally as the government assesses restrictions relating to Covid-19; the way in which racing under Rules is able to take place; and our own readiness as a sport.”
Fixture secretaries are aware that flexibility could be needed, while a local spike of Covid-19 cases could jeopardise an individual meeting, but Wright is optimistic that racing will get underway in late October. Racing behind closed doors without paying spectators would hit income, but should that be necessary race meetings would be able to pare facilities to the essentials, and with the sport’s pre-Christmas grant, support from sponsors and flexibility in the amount of prize money on offer, early meeting organisers are readying themselves for all eventualities.
The announcement this week of the fixture list for the winter ahead confirms that Barbury will stage 3 fixtures again, starting with the International on Sunday December 13.
The Vine & Craven, which has fallen foul of the weather in each of the past 2 years, will take place on Sunday February 7 whilst the final Tedworth fixture will coincide with the sport's most valuable fixture at Andoversford on Sunday April 11.
In recompense for the loss of all fixtures from late March through to the scheduled conclusion in June, the season will start with 6 fixtures from October 24 to November 15 at Bishops Court and Dunsmore in Devon, Charing in Kent, Maisemore and Chaddesley in the Midlands, and at Kimble.
Based on last season's experience, this should provide stronger fields and more competitive racing for mid winter fixtures like the International.
The earlier start is of course conditional on Covid-related issues. Peter Wright, CEO of the Point-to-Point AUthority, remarked, “There are three areas or issues which are going to influence the way in which Point-to-Point meetings can be staged at the end of October: the state of progress nationally as the government assesses restrictions relating to Covid-19; the way in which racing under Rules is able to take place; and our own readiness as a sport.”
Fixture secretaries are aware that flexibility could be needed, while a local spike of Covid-19 cases could jeopardise an individual meeting, but Wright is optimistic that racing will get underway in late October. Racing behind closed doors without paying spectators would hit income, but should that be necessary race meetings would be able to pare facilities to the essentials, and with the sport’s pre-Christmas grant, support from sponsors and flexibility in the amount of prize money on offer, early meeting organisers are readying themselves for all eventualities.
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