2006 Stats Looking AheadRegulations

As always, and despite our ethos of trying to keep the sport as straightforward as possible, there are a number of Regulation changes for 2006 / 2007. The amendments appear in bold in this year’s complimentary Regulation book which you will be sent when you register your Hunter Certificate at Weatherbys or receive your Riders Qualification Certificate from the Point-to-Point Department.

Through the Point to Point Board (PTPB) we have ongoing policy-related meetings with the PPORA and the Point-to-Point Secretaries Association during the course of a year and aim to have all Regulation changes approved by the HRA Regulatory Board in June/July.

Should you like to add your input to the above process or indeed raise any other matter in the Regulations book then please call Lucy Brack on 0207 189 3856 or Fraser Garrity on 0207 189 3852. We always welcome your feedback.

The principal changes which affect owners and riders are as follows:

Regulations:

NEW FOR 200/2007
4yr olds running in point-to-point races
In light of the successful introduction of 4yr olds running in 2 1 /2 Mile Maiden point-to-point races in 2006, any 4yr old that wins a 2 1 /2 Mile Maiden can now progress through the ranks during the same season i.e. run in 3 mile races for which it is eligible. Wording to this effect has been included in the Regulations. (Reg 74)

Riders incurring a fine for refusing to ride a horse that they have been declared to ride
To reflect the Rules of Racing, wording has been included so that Stewards on the day have the power to fine a rider who once declared to ride a horse then refuses to do so, unless they believe the failure to ride was due to circumstances acceptable to them. (Reg 114)

Racing Boots / Irons
The following wording has been included:"Racing boots are only compatible with racing irons. Racing boots may NOT be worn with hunting irons". (Reg 115)

Declaration fee
Wording has been included so that if a declaration fee in lieu or in addition to the usual entry fee is required, the imposition of such a fee is covered within the Regulations. A few organisers have shown an interest in wishing to charge a small entry fee but with the addition of a charge at declaration. (Reg 101)

Ear plugs
Instruction H3 from the Rules of Racing has been included in the regulations for Point-to-Point Steeple Chases. (Appendix X)

UPDATED FOR 2006 / 2007:
Sub-Regulation 32 (iii) - Horse eligibility: Certificate Fee
The fee for a Hunter Certificate (lodged at Weatherbys) has been increased by 3% to £51.58 (inc. VAT).

Sub-Regulations 34 (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) Horse eligibility: performance "cut-off" Dates
The applicable performance cut-off dates, which govern whether or not a horse is eligible to run in a point-to-point in the season in question, have been moved forward one year.

Sub-Regulation 34 (v) - Horse eligibility in relation to value of a steeple chase win under Rules
The penalty value for winning a non-amateur steeple chase under Rules in the current and two preceding seasons has been increased from £17,000 to £20,000. This is in line with what has been published for Hunter Chases in the Orders and Rules of Racing. For the 2008 Season it is intended the penalty value will remain the same but the dates will roll forward a year.

Sub-Regulation 50 (ii) Riders: Annual Certificate Administration fee
The HRA administration fee for the Riders Qualification Certificate (RQC) has been increased by 3% to £5.84 (inc VAT). Riders shall note that the entire remainder of the cost if an RQC is the insurance premium.

Regulation 60 (ii) - amalgamated hunts staging two fixtures
The wording has been changed so as to include a time limit of five years in which an amalgamated hunt can apply for a second meeting.

Regulation 72 - Programme of races (Hunt Members Races)
The wording has been expanded to allow organisers to frame a hunt member's race which can be open to a maximum of three hunts (this is in addition to the joint hunt races that can already take place due to earlier abandonments). It is stipulated that where three hunts participate in the race, only one such race can be held at one of the participating hunts point-to-point meeting during the season.

Regulation 74 - Weights
In order to accommodate 4 yr olds running in December the following information with regard to age allowances has been included in the Regulations:

Allowances in December 2006
4yr-olds: 7lb 5yr-olds: none

Allowances in January 2007 (as per recently completed season)
4yr-olds: 21lbs 5yr-olds: 7lbs

Notwithstanding the above, no allowance can drop a horse's official weight to carry below 10st. (e.g. in Ladies Open races where a 4yr old may be declared).

Regulation 75 - weight penalties for wins
All penalty dates have been moved forward one year.

Sub-Regulation 111 (i) - Declaration time
The wording has been revised so that it is clear that declaration times must be rescheduled accordingly if race times are put back on the day of racing.

Regulation 150 - Disqualification of Horses
The changes to the Rule of Racing concerning the policy for stored samples in the Orders & Rules of Racing have been replicated within the Regulations.

Appendix N - Schooling over fences on Point-to-Point Courses
Schooling is permitted with the consent of the Organising Committee and Landowner. Medical / Veterinary services attendance is a matter for the Organisers to consider in relation to their Health & Safety obligations. Schooling can only take place at the end of the meeting and any damage to the track / fences must be made good in advance of subsequent fixtures.

INSTRUCTIONS:
The Point-to-Point Steeple Chase Instructions are sent to all organisers and key racecday officials.

The main changes to the 2006 / 2007 Point-to-Point Instructions are:

Schooling over fences
Appendix N of the Regulations will be reflected.

Take-off Boards
More guidance has been given to maximise the visibility of Take-off boards and clarify that there should not be gaps between ground level and the bottom of the board.

Inspection protocol and communication to Public / participants
Whilst enhanced last year, more detailed guidance has been given to Stewards / Organisers to ensure as far as possible that people have access to the latest situation and plans for further inspections etc (at meaningful times).

Track repair
Clerks of the Course have been asked to contact their HRA Inspector of Courses ahead of any large-scale decompaction work they may be considering e.g. "shakeaerator", "Earthquake" machine etc.

Fence Bypassing
A sentence has been added recommending that gaps beside fences should ideally be on the outer.

RACECOURSE STABLING FOR HUNTER CHASERS
The connections of runners in 2007 Hunter Chases are advised that as for 2006 such horses MUST be stabled in the secure stable yard on raceday. A dedicated box will be provided for the day and the horse must be stabled in the yard no less than 45 minutes before the advertised time of the race. It is not necessary to make an application to a racecourse representative at least 24 hours before the raceday, however:

i) a suitable means of personal (photo) identification must be produced by the horse's attendant(s) (up to a maximum of 3) and shown to the HRA Stable Guard.

ii) The attendant(s) must sign the relevant form produced by the Stable Guard.

NB: The above procedures i) and ii) do not apply if the runner is trained by a licensed or permitted trainer, and a Racehorse Attendant's Identity Card and Validity Pass have already been issued by the HRA's Licensing Department for use by the horse's attendant.

STEWARDING
The Point-to Point Department will be again be running seminars for Stewards this year. Whilst the HRA is very keen to emphasise the amateur nature of Pointing, the Seminars play a key role in improving ven further the consistency of Stewards' decision making and putting across the message of Safety, Welfare and Integrity. You may be interested to know that it is compulsory for Stewards to attend these seminars every five years whilst we recommend that the Chairmen of the Panel should have attended within the last three seasons and also be a Steward under Rules.