VWH point-to-point becomes another victim of the gale-force winds (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

VWH point-to-point becomes another victim of the gale-force winds

THE VWH Point-to-Point at Siddington, near Cirencester, was unlucky enough to suffer the same fate as so many other sporting events on Saturday afternoon when high winds made racing impossible.

Early arrivals at Siddington were made aware of potential problems.

However, after delaying the start of the first race for 15 minutes, it became clear that the winds were not going to dissipate and the stewards were left with no choice to abandon the meeting.

With gusts of wind of up to 50 knots at times, it was not safe to allow horses and jockeys to compete.

The main hospitality marquee had to be evacuated as it posed serious signs of collapsing on spectators looking forward to the day's racing.

Point-to-point chairman Lord Apsley explained, "Every attempt had made to run the event, but cancellation, regrettably, was the only option.

"Although it was a big disappointment, there are many unsung voluntary helpers behind the scenes that I wish to thank. They are, among others, the secretary, clerk of the course, the farmer on whose land the event takes place, the fence builders, the Tote, car parkers, stewards, judges, starters, timekeepers, the sponsors and many, many others.

"The list is endless. They are all dedicated to the running of the point-to-point and, although not necessarily hunting people themselves, they recognise the part that the event has in supporting the role of hunting within the rural community."

This meeting will not be run again this year so as not to compete with other similar events in the area.

But there was compensation for Christine Mason, one of the joint masters of the VWH, when Love at Dawn was rerouted from his original target at Siddington to contest the Restricted Open at Sunday's South Herefordshire meeting at Garnons.

Peter Mason took his parents' 11-year-old home-bred gelding to the front at half-way and none of their rivals was able to mount an effective challenge.

Love at Dawn stayed on well up the final to score an easy win for his Ablington-based connections.