Talk:Point to point racing
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What's the difference between a point to point and a steeplechase?
Am. vs Pro Culnacreann 23:40, 19 September 2006 (UTC)
a steeplchase is a race over fences a point to point is a type of steeplechase
a point to point is run under p2p regulations as opposed to jockey club rules
the principal difference between p2p regulations and rules is that only a trainer licensed by the jockey club can run a horse under a rules (except for hunter chases); anyone can run a horse in a point to point, subject to paying a fee etc
horses have to qualify to be eligible to run in points, ie the horse has to be hunted; there is no such requirement in relation to horses run under rules (except for horses running in hunter chases)
the fences are smaller in point to points
point to points are all run over 3 miles (subject to exceptions); races under rules will be of differing lengths, so at a point to point meeting nearly all of the races will be over the same distance whereas at a national hunt meeting each race on any day is likely to be run over a different distance
only amateur jockeys may ride in points; many jockeys riding regularly under rules are amateurs (eg Marcus Armitage who rode Mr Frisk in the Grand National) but most are professional