One of point-to-pointing’s virtues is the way in which it offers a wide weight category of riders a chance to experience the thrill of racing over fences.
A rider whose natural weight is 12st 7lb or more has little or no chance of consistently shedding enough pounds to become established as a professional Jump jockey. In contrast, the majority of point-to-point races have a set weight of 12st, albeit with weight-for-age and sex allowances. With a healthy, balanced diet and a coordinated training regime the 12st-plus brigade can control their weight and, if good enough, take part in plenty of races – which also helps to keep the scales under control.
Tales of point-to-point riders zooming up to 14st plus in the summer were not uncommon in the past, but better understanding of diet and exercise have helped to avoid such yo-yos in weight.
Dieting can be harsh however, which is why the talented Conor Houlihan has been on his feet and not in the saddle so far this season. Houlihan, 24, a pupil assistant to Paul Nicholls, is 6ft 2ins and a bigger version of his professional jockey brother Sean. Two seasons ago Conor was narrowly beaten by Ben Sutton for the novice men’s championship, and so set off the following autumn hoping to build on his achievement while living on a spartan diet.
However, he says: “I was utterly sick of it by the end of February, just when the season was starting to get busy. This season I’m going to enjoy Christmas and then start dieting.”
That seems like a useful tip for heavier riders, particularly those thinking of leaving the sport because of the restrictions a diet places upon their bodies and social life.