The freezing conditions put paid to any big turnout for the latest round of the East Anglian point-to-point season held at Marks Tey.
Leap - Andrew Braithwait rode No Penalty to victory. 41062-2
Only a meagre crowd braved the Arctic chill, but those who did witnessed a competitive day's racing.
"It was so cold," said point-to-point secretary Jane March. "The weather was not kind to us. I think it was the kind of day that if you did not have to go out you did not."
There were seven races on the card at the event, which was hosted by the East Essex Hunt.
Competition rules state horses must have participated in hunting to be allowed to race, but March said she didn't think recent legislation banning hunting with hounds would spell an end to the point-to-point.
"It has not been entirely decided what will happen," she said. "But it is entirely unlikely that it will stop point-to-point even if it goes ahead as some kind of amateur racing."
She said the next Marks Tey meeting is due to be held on Easter Monday by the Essex Farmers' and Union Hunt.
Published Thursday, February 24, 2005
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