THE POINT-TO-POINT AUTHORITY (PPA)
The Point-to-Point Authority is the body responsible for the administration, management, promotion and development (governance and strategy) of Point-to-Point racing. It is comprised of seven directors - one each from The Jockey Club, the Point-to-Point Owners and Riders Association (PPORA), the Point-to-Point Secretaries Association (PPSA), the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) and three independent members
Functioning under delegated authority from the BHA, the PPA evolved from the Point-to-Point Board in order to ensure the sports’ destiny was in the hands of its constituents with the resources to run its own affairs in an open and transparent way. Working closely with the member organisations and the BHA and HBLB, the PPA ensures its funding streams are fair and proportionate and that its services are provided in the most cost effective way
The PPA is run from offices in Trull, Gloucestershire and is effectively a “one stop shop” for all of Point-to-Point administration, providing a range of services riders, owners and regional and Point-to-Point fixture secretaries.
e info@p2pa.co.uk t 01285 841920 f 01285 841354
POINT-TO-POINT AUTHORITY BOARD MEMBERS
ROBERT WALEY-COHEN (Chairman)
An owner since 1973, Robert currently has five horses in training in England and France, plus a small number trained under permit. Amongst his best horses have been Katarino, winner of the Triumph Hurdle in 1999 and the Aintree Foxhunters’ in 2006 and 2007, while Irilut has won more than 20 times (including the Lady Dudley and the Lord Ashton of Hyde). He has been a permit trainer since 1985 and a breeder since 2001 and was elected to the Jockey Club in 1983; he is currently a non executive director of REL representing the Horsemans Group, Deputy Chairman of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association NH committee and a non-executive Director of The Steeplechase Company (Cheltenham) Ltd, Chairman of the Point-to-Point Board since its inauguration in 2005 and of the Point-to-Point Authority since 2008; Chairman of the Pony Racing Authority and Chairman of the Warwickshire Hunt Point-to-Point since 1983. He has served as deputy senior steward of the Jockey Club and as chairman of the Disciplinary Appeals Panel.
RICHARD RUSSELL
Richard has been a Point-to-Point owner since 1970, riding as an amateur for 30 years until 1995. In that time he was also the fixture secretary for the Grafton Point-to-Point for a number of years. He was chairman of the PPORA from 2001 to 2004 and an independent director of the Point-to-Point Board before moving to the Point-to-Point Authority as Jockey Club representative in 2009. He sits on the Jump Racing Development Group and chaired the Point-to-Point Review in 2006-07. As a rider Richard was once joint leading owner/rider, leading Hunter Chase rider, and won the Land Rover and Jackson Stopps Young Horse finals as an owner/rider.
HEATHER KEMP
Heather lives in Sussex and is a former South East Area champion lady rider. Her Point-to-Point career began at the age of 26 with her first ride on a “Bunny Tarry” homebred that won. She has since gone on to ride more than 70 winners and has held five Area Champion titles. In addition Heather has been a Point-to-Point entries secretary, sponsorship organiser, meeting secretary and PPORA area representative. She was meeting secretary for the first Point-to-Point Charity Benefit Day at Kingston Blount, raising more than £8,000 for the Alzheimers Society.
MIKE FELTON
Mike’s first winner came in 1978 and he went on to become male champion rider three times, riding principally for John Dufosee, Henrietta Knight and Keith Cumings. He has been an MFH for 17 years and as Master of Foxhounds Association representative he has been involved with the PPORA, PPSA, Point-to-Point Board and the Point-to-Point Authority. He has served as a steward under Rules and in Point-to-Pointing for 10 years and on the Licensing Committee for seven years. Mike was the driving force behind the introduction of pony races at Point-to-Points.
TABITHA CAVE
Tabitha Cave is an independent board member for of the Point-to-Point Authority, having participated in the sport for more than 20 years. She rode over 120 winners in Point-to-Points and Hunter Chases and retired from race riding in 2007. Tabitha still rides and hunts with the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale. Based in the West Country, Tabitha heads the Health and Safety and Regulatory team for Bristol solicitors, Veale Wasbrough.
STEVEN ASTAIRE
An owner since 1973, Steven currently has horses in training in both England and France, plus a couple of Pointers. He rode under all codes, his best horses being Yahoo, Hiram B. Birdbath and Funchen View. He has been a Council member of the Racehorse Owners Association and a trustee of the Northern Racing College for over 14 years and also ran the Amateur riders Association in the 80’s. he was a late starter having never ridden until he was 28 and retired in 1996 having had nearly 200 rides, 7 wins and 50 places. Steven took over running the Club meetings at Tweseldown Racecourse 6 years ago since when it has returned as a Pointing venue, complete with all the paddock and running rails having been rescued from Ascot when they redeveloped. He is currently Area Secretary for Sandhurst in addition to chairing the PPSA.
RICHARD FULLER
Richard has recently taken over from Simon Claisse as Chairman of the PPORA committee so therefore becomes a member of the PPA Board as the PPORA representative. Currently the sales and personnel director of Fuller's Brewery, London, in which his family have been involved since 1829, Richard is a joint master of the Vine & Craven Hunt and chairman of their Barbury Point-to-Point. Fuller's Brewery is a keen supporter of amateur sport and has some long standing sponsorships of, in particular, rowing and cricket as well as Point-to-Pointing where the main focus is on Barbury Racecourse and the Leading Gentlemen and Novice Rider Annual Awards. Richard and his wife have owned, trained and ridden Point-to-Pointers and their two children are currently competing in Pony Racing.
