Old Berkshire Hunt Point-to-Point at Lockinge

Easter Monday - 6th April 2015

Gates open 9.00 am Entertainment Starts 11.15 am Pony Racing 12.00 - 12.30 6 Thoroughbred Jump Races Start 2.00

pm onwards until end

Family entertainment for all ages including: Fairground Rides - Food Stalls - Licensed Bar -

Farmers Market - Dog show - Terrier Racing - Old Berkshire

Hunt Hound Parade

There are few finer country spectacles than a Point-to-Point in full flow

The Lockinge Point-to-Point is a popular Easter Monday fixture dating back to 1830. The old Berkshire Hunt (OBH) hosted its first race in 1953 and has become a local sporting and social institution ever since.

It is now known as the Old Berkshire Point-to-Point and attracts crowds of up to 10,000. Despite modernisation, the amateur sport of Point-to-Pointing holds true to its foundation in hunting and reflects the Corinthian sport as well as offering a fun family day out.

Traditional sport

Traditionally Point-to-Pointing was a sport first enjoyed by Soldiers, Dukes and Farmers' Boys some 140 years ago and now plays an important part in the grass roots of horse racing.

These days the horses are far more expensive, the jockey's weigh far less and are more accomplished, and the trainers can now make a living from the sport compared to just being a

Farmers hobby.

Competitive trainers and jockeys are known to turn up hours before the first race in order to walk the course - dog on a lead in one hand and a drink in the other! Prize money remains modest, although often accompanied by a bottle of whiskey, a bag of horse feed or a set of antlers!

Robert Waley-Cohen, Chairman of Cheltenham Racecourse and owner of 2011 gold Cup winner - Long Run, credits point-to-pointing for his entry into racing.

"Everything stems from my first race ride near to my Exmoor family home in 1974. I derived enormous fun from being able to play as a poor participant. Nowadays, I love the informality and friendliness of the day. It’s a seriously good sport, everyone has a good chance of success and it’s a great training ground for owner, trainers, riders and officials. It’s wonderful to see future equine superstars as Gold Cup winners, many started in point-to-pointing."

It is still the sheer thrill of taking part and the personal satisfaction that count. For Owner / Trainer / Jockey Drew Holmes, the point-to-point world provides a welcome distraction from his high pressure job:

"The beauty of pointing is that it gives an amateur like me the opportunity to be part of the racing world. My work precludes me from doing it on full-time basis,

although it obviously helps fund my interest. Riding over fences at Speed is a huge thrill and we always have a good picnic, drink and party afterwards - it's

Jagerbombs if we win!"

A Family Affair at Lockinge

The OBH Point-to-Point is not only for the Jockey’s seeking thrills followed by a jolly knees up with the trainer. The event is a local social highlight and still remains a hugely enjoyable day out. Children can roam safely free-range, dogs are welcome on leads, betting is fairly homespun and the picnic is still king with the modern addition of portable BBQ’s.

The course at Lockinge is an undulating; galloping oval with a long run-in since the course was altered, bypassing the fence near the winning post. Viewing is excellent from the hillside with a superb view of the start and finish, ensuring plenty of edge-of-your-seat finishes! Car parking is good, but on a steep slope, so engage handbrake and reverse gear!

Old Berks Hunt

Nowadays, all point-to-point meetings are organized by hunts or hunt clubs and horses qualify by doing at least four days’ hunting in the current season.

As well as hosting the event, the OBH staff act as loose horse catchers to tumbling jockeys and mingle with the crowds inviting them to engage with their mounts, ask questions and pet the hounds throughout the day.

The OBH Foxhounds as with any other pack are a valuable treasure and one which is irreplaceable.

One of the most popular events of the day is the Hound Parade - where any visitor can play with or pet the Hounds. They look quite formidable as a pack but are very docile and love fuss from adoring children and adults alike.

If you would like to become more involved with the hunt and contribute towards the welfare of the Hounds, why not take out an annual sponsorship at a cost of £10.

Further details:

houndsponsorship@obh.co.uk