Point-to-Point countdown at Cotley (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Point-to-Point countdown at Cotley

12:00pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in News

FINAL preparations are being made ahead of the annual Cotley Point-to-Point, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

The Diamond Jubilee Point-to-Point will be held at Cotley Farm outside Chard on Easter Saturday, March 30, from 1.30pm.

Fingers are crossed that this year’s event goes ahead after the 2012 meeting had to be cancelled at the last minute because of bad weather.

A highlight this year is an additional special restricted flat race in aid of the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.

Open only to Cotley Hunt members riding their hunters, it promises to be a true amateur race, albeit a hotly contested one.

Vyvyan Eames, who owns and farms the Cotley estate and has been chair-man of the point-to-point for over 35 years, said: “We already have ten entries for the sponsored charity race and as a result we’re hoping to raise more than £1,000 for charity.”

Among the riders will be Richard Thompson, of Chard, Emily Wells, of Buckland St Mary, Raymond Mear, of Tatworth, Tessa Porter, of Chardstock, Andrew Ransford, of Thorncombe, Jo Bright, of Combe St Nicholas, and Win-sham’s Billie-Ann Warren, who at 19 will be the youngest competitor.

The Cotley Point-to-Point draws crowds from across Somerset, Devon and Dorset to watch locally trained horses and amateur jockeys compete over an undulating and challenging three-mile course.

Point-to-point racing is well-known as a nursery for further National Hunt champions, so race-goers could rub shoulders with racing alumni, such as trainers Paul Nicholls and David Pipe, out talent spotting at Cotley.

There will be refreshment tents, trade stands and a bouncy castle for children.