The Point-to-Point Authority (PPA)

The Point-to-Point Authority is the body responsible for the administration, 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 & 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 sport's 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 plus 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 near Swindon, providing a range of administrative services to jockeys, owners and point-to-point fixture secretaries.

THE PPA 


Peter Wright (Chief Executive)

Peter joined the PPA in October 2018 following a career in the Army and many years assisting with the running of Larkhill Racecourse. As a Lieutenant Colonel, Peter spent much of his time in the military working in or on Africa, including time in Somalia, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. During that period he acquired a wealth of experience and skills that look set to serve him well in his new career, including strategic analysis, planning and diplomacy. Peter is a lifelong pointing enthusiast and has been an official, owner and racegoer at point-to-points, which has given him a wide perspective and experience to draw upon.


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POINT-TO-POINT AUTHORITY BOARD MEMBERS

Andrew Merriam (Chairman)

Former Point-to-Point Secretaries' Association (PPSA) chairman, Andrew Merriam became chairman of Britain's Point-to-Point Authority (PPA) Board in July 2017. Merriam, who lives in Suffolk, becomes the fourth person to hold the role since the PPA's creation in 2008 – previous holders have been Robert Waley-Cohen, Simon Claisse and Tim Curtis.

Merriam, who is currently a Jockey Club Deputy Senior Steward and British Horseracing Authority Director, has been actively involved in the sport for many years. He is passionate about point-to-pointing and has attended hundreds of meetings both as an owner, steward, husband of a trainer and father of a rider.

Philip Hall (The Jockey Club)

Philip was elected to The Jockey Club in 2015 and became their representative on the PPA Board in September 2017. He is a Lloyds Underwriter specialising in entertainment and sporting insurance. He is also a non-executive director at Sandown Park and has been involved in the sport as a point-to-point and amateur Jockey, retiring on a winner in February 2017.

He rode his first winner on Glenavey at Heathfield in 1995, and if he has any regret it was that he never had the chance to ride at the Cheltenham Festival, although he has ridden in the major races at Aintree and Stratford, as well as at Prestbury Park's Hunter Chase evening. If asked to choose, he would certainly opt for point-to-pointing ahead of racing under Rules, citing the fun and camaraderie to be had in the amateur sport.

Alan Hill (MFHA)

Alan has ridden all his life, both hunting and racing. He was a MFH for 20 seasons, hunting hounds for 15 of those, he has now given up Mastership but continues to hunt. Alan rode as an amateur for 23 years, riding 98 Point-to-Point and 49 Hunter Chase winners. These winners included three Foxhunter winners; two at Aintree and one at Cheltenham. He now trains point-to-pointers and was champion trainer for the 2013/14 season and champion Hunters' Chase trainer in 2016/17. His wife, Lawney is a licenced trainer and together they have two children.

All the family hunt and have been or are race riders, his son Joe was champion novice in 2012. Alan farms 1000 acres in Oxfordshire, mainly arable, but also grass paddocks and gallops and is also involved in helping run and prepare Kingston Blount point to point course.

Mark Buchan (PPORA)

As chairman of the Point-to-Point Owners & Riders Association (PPORA) committee, Mark currently sits on the PPA Board as the PPORA representative. Mark is Export Manager for Baileys Horse Feeds and used to ride in point-to-points, but now enjoys hacking, jumping and hunting his ex-pointer, Bisto.

He is also a very able event groom and lorry driver and supports wife (and Baileys Marketing Manager), Jane, on competition days. Mark is also a very active point-to-point committee member, steward and volunteer in the East Anglia region.

Ilona Barnett (PPSA)

As chair of the Point-to-Point Secretaries Association (PPSA), Ilona currently sits on the PPA Board as the PPSA representative. Ilona is also the South Midlands area secretary and fixture secretary for the Barbury International fixture. Her husband Andrew's family roots are firmly set in farming, hunting and pointing in Warwickshire. They have bred, owned, ridden and trained all their own horses for a number of years.

Ilona is also a highly successful General Manager of busy Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse and a regular Steward at numerous meetings from Cottenham to Andoversford.

Darren Edwards

Darren is currently fourth on the list of active riders, with 312 career victories in points alongside 29 under rules, of which the highest profile was Maximize in the 2004 Kim Muir Chase. He is also one of few leading riders who is not involved with horses full-time – his day job is Head of Green Energy & Sustainability for chartered surveyors Fisher German. Darren joined the PPA Board as an independent in January 2022 and is the only jockey, and at 38 the youngest member, to sit on the board.

Fiona Needham

Fiona joined as an independent in January 2020, and brings huge practical experience to the PPA Board. Quite apart from great success as a rider in the past, she is currently PPSA area chairman in Yorkshire, as well as a very successful joint owner-trainer with her father. Fiona is a lifelong enthusiast and participant, and point to pointing is very much her passion.

Fiona is also Clerk of the Course at Catterick, providing a wider viewpoint of racing under Rules.

The PPA Privacy Policy - May 2020