In Pictures: UK Point-to-Point races

They make movies about toffs in country houses and TV shows about vicars who solve mysteries in villages, but in my opinion to capture something indelible about Britain they should make a film about the British point-to-point races — steeplechases so-named because they would take place from one church steeple to another – from one point of a steeple to another. (Find a point-to-point near you on the Weatherbys Point to Point site — the official home of point-to-pointing.)

horse at a point-to-point on Jenography.net — Meeting the talent (with a great hairdo)

I started attending point-to-points with my in-laws — my father-in-law has an interest in racing — and now it’s one of the social highlights of my year. One of the things I like best about going is bringing along fellow Americans to experience this particular example of British culture. And oh what an example it is!

Tweed. Horses. Hounds. People wearing colourful trousers. Men wearing flat caps. Everyone sipping Champagne or drinking ale and betting on the races. It all takes place in a field and I’ve been in sun and also in the kind of weather that makes you feel really British: wet, a bit chilly, the spongey ground compressing under your wellies.

men at point-to-point races on Jenography — Studying the racing card, stylishly

Hunting hounds on Jenography.net — One of the highlights: Seeing the hounds before the races. They are large, muscular and impressive

I was lucky enough to be joined one year by Susan from Best Bits Worldwide, who adopted exactly the right attitude: appreciation for standing outside for several hours, trying to figure out which horse to bet on, watching amateur jockeys and their steeds leap over hedges, and invariably not betting on the right horse. (She did pick a winner in one race, but gave up before placing her bet when she saw the queue at the bookie’s stand. Whatever you do, don’t ask her about horse number 10.)

Jennifer Howze and Susan Schwartz on jenography.net — Jenography with Susan from Best Bits Worldwide

hunting hounds at Siddington on jenography — An official of the hunt, with the hounds

Jennifer Howze at Siddington Point-to-Point — “Can I get a picture with you?” “You can do anything you like.” Still, he doesn’t look as pleased as I do

girl snacking at point-to-point — A young racegoer enjoys the buffet

You don’t have to love horses. You don’t have to love the hunt, which the point-to-point supports. You just have to enjoy countryside culture in one of its most democratic guises. If you enjoy people-watching, drinking Champagne, wax jackets and the outdoors, then — like me — this should be on your list every year.

The point-to-point season runs in the late winter, typically between March and June.

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Published by Jennifer Howze