Opening meeting under threat

The south-east's opening meeting of the point-to-point season on January 31st may have to be abandoned due to lack of funding.

  Although offering some of the best racing of the year, with large fields on usually ideal ground, the meeting fails to attract the paying public and has made a loss for the past two years. Now the West Street Tickham Hunt, in whose name the meeting is held, is struggling to finance this fixture and may just concentrate on its more favourable Kent Grand National Meeting in March.

Sara Sansom, point-to-point secretary for the threatened event, said: "The hunt's decision means that potential losses will not be underwritten - and last year the loss was £3,500. We have major outgoings in the form of tentage and paramedics which can't be avoided. We can trim our costs in every other way, but even then the outlay is more than £10,000 and the income, from entries and gate money, could be less than £7,000.

"The bookmakers have offered to support three of the races, some people have agreed to waive their charges for the day, and there are others who have indicated that they can help us in small ways.

  "This meeting is of tremendous importance to racing folk in the South East and is always well supported by them and by owners and trainers from other areas. But the public in Kent, Surrey and Sussex don't seem to want to venture out on a winter's day for some fresh air and fun. We simply can't go ahead without backing."

2010 FIXTURES