POINT-to-point is an exciting sport which promises participants thrills and no shortage of spills.

In a nutshell, point-to-point is steeplechasing for amateurs, and is one of the best ways for beginners to get into horse-racing.

It is run under the sanction and regulations of the Jockey Club, while each meeting is run at a local level by a hunt or recognised point- to-point club. Gold Cup winning trainer Robert Alner said: "So many horses come into racing through point-to-pointing. A couple of years ago at Larkhill, See More Business, Cool Dawn and Harwell Lad all competed on the same card."

The season runs from January to June, and there were 208 fixtures scheduled across the country for the coming season.

Most races are run over three miles, with a minimum of 18 fences to be jumped, although there are a few longer races (up to four miles) and a small number of shorter ones of about two miles.

A large number of owners, riders, trainers and officials all received their first taste of racing from point-to-points. The sport encourages and educates young jockeys in race riding, as recent examples such as Tom Scudamore, Mark Bradburne and Richard Johnson illustrate.

All have made a considerably successful transition from point-to- points with considerable success.

Just as many horses have started their racing career in point-to- points before graduating to the highest level of National Hunt racing.

Famous horses such as Gold Cup winners Ad Hoc, Cool Dawn, and See More Business are among those to have made a successful step up the ladder.

For more information on point-to pointing in the Wales and West area, visit the website of the Jockey Club or point-to-point-wales.co.uk Gareth Phillips