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The hot dry weather played havoc with pointing towards the end of last season and is already having an impact on the coming season with Knightwick, Dunsmore and Ampton (January) already called off.

Fixture abandonments and rescheduling is initially managed between the fixture and the PPSA (Point-to-Point Secretaries Association), before being approved by the PPA and BHA. It’s a complex process which has to consider gaps in the fixture calender, the impact on other meetings, and the general horse population and demographic.

The PPSA and PPA are already working on various contingency plans and are attempting to pre-empt a variety of scenarios.

If a fixture hosting a nationally sponsored race, (ie GB Bonus, Mares Maiden etc) is abandoned, the PPSA and PPA will endeavour to ensure the race takes place elsewhere, which includes races that are in short supply, such as Intermediate races.

Paul Miller (PPA Chief Exec) said “We’re acutely aware of the impact abandoned fixtures has on Owners & Trainers plans and training programmes. We’re trying to stay a step ahead of the weather and pre-empt abandonments with a number of different scenarios, particularly with the sponsored race series. It’s not easy but we’re working closely with the PPSA and fixtures to mitigate cancellations as much as possible”

Beverley Thomas (PPSA Chair) continued “ We understand the time and finance owners and trainers invest in preparing their horses for point to pointing and in some cases a particular race, the PPSA with input from Area Secretaries will endeavour to be as nimble as possible in providing an alternative when a meeting and a specific race which is in short supply are lost.”