The Jumping For Fun website – along with its message board, “The Pointing Forum” – has long been the go-to destination for point-to-point fans, with over 1,000 members, more than 20,000 threads started and in excess of 300,000 individual posts since its launch in 2005.
Jumping For Fun is the creation of IT whizzkid (well, he was probably young once) Dom Bradshaw, who still runs the site with the same enthusiasm as he always did. Dom is ably supported by a team of moderators, one of whom – Gordon Phillips, aka Gordon WP (above left with Leicesterbob) – launched a Hunter Chase competition last season. Prizes were donated by the likes of leading trainer and PPA board member Alan Hill, and those who took part included luminaries such as PPA CEO Peter Wright.
Dom pretending he's in St Tropez - it's actually Milford Haven
Emboldened by the success of his brainwave (and no doubt by the fact that he finished a respectable third in his own competition!) Gordon decided to take matters further for the 2022/2023 Hunter Chase season. Not only is the second running of the challenge underway, but Gordon has decided to emulate the likes of St James’s Place and Randox by entering the world of Hunter Chase sponsorship.
Along with his pointing compadre Bob Mackenzie, aka Leicesterbob, Gordon asked for donations from “forumites” to a Just Giving page with the aim of raising enough money to sponsor a Hunter Chase. Response was amazing and their target was soon reached. With donations continuing to arrive, they hoped to be able to sponsor another two, but ended up with enough left over to support a fourth race.
I asked Gordon how the idea came about. “It was a bonkers thought of mine after the success of last season’s competition,” he laughed. “I wanted to do it to raise awareness of the forum and to highlight the connection between Hunter Chasing and point-to-pointing. Hopefully, as a result of the sponsorship, more people will discover point-to-pointing.”
Gordon admitted to being overwhelmed by the level of backing for the concept. “It’s great how incredibly generous my fellow forumites have been, and how brilliantly supportive – and equally generous – the racecourses have been. I’ve also had a fantastic team helping me launch the sponsorship and couldn’t have done it without Bob, Dom, Charlotte Fuller (aka Teller Of Tales) and Mark Elliott (aka Maelstrom) – one of whom, who shall remain nameless – said they didn’t think we’d receive enough donations to sponsor a single race!”
Teller Of Tales with her prolific winner Moscow Blaze
Horses aren't actually Maelstrom's true passion
“Another had faith with my original plan for one race,” continued Gordon with a smile, “But would have thought I was bananas if I’d suggested three at the outset! To have had enough money pledged to sponsor four is inconceivable.”
The four “Jumping For Fun” sponsored Hunter Chases this season are as follows and reflect the aim of Gordon and the other “forumites” involved to promote the essence of point-to-pointing – all are for horses that have not won a chase before this season and/or have run recently between the flags:
- Leicester: 16th February (Dick Saunders Novices Hunter Chase)
- Catterick: 8th March (Jack Berry House Novices Hunter Chase)
- Stratford: 23rd April (Stratford Open Grassroots Hunter Chase)
- Fakenham: 9th May (David Turner Trophy Maiden Grassroots Hunter Chase)
Hunter Chasing at Stratford
The Leicester race takes place tomorrow (16th February) and Gordon expects between 15 and 20 “Forumites” to go to Leicester, benefitting from a reduced admission price of £10 thanks to the generosity of the racecourse.
Race Preview
Nine horses face the starter, representing some of the top pointing yards in the country. Homme D'Un Soir and Getting Closer were both placed in Ladies Opens last time, but their stables are not in peak form. Time Leader won impressively at Knightwick on his pointing debut (a long way in front of What A Glance) but was well-beaten last time, albeit under a big penalty. The trainers of Barrack Hill and Santon are going well at the moment, but both horses may need the run. Ultra Viers is still a maiden and Frankie Rapper has a lot to find on recent form so my selection, each-way, is VANGO DE VAIGE, who represents a leading, in-form, keeper, won last time out and has an improving rider on board.
To find out more and – if you’re not already a member – to join The Pointing Forum, visit j4f.activeboard.com