The History of the PPORA
The PPORA is an independent, members' organisation committed to representing, supporting and strengthening the grassroots point-to-point community. In 1976, Jim Mahon assembled a group of 28 Owners to appeal to the Jockey Club for a 7lb allowance for horses aged 5yo & under, consequently proposing the formation of an Owners Association. Following the formation of the PPOA in 1977, in 1990 the PPOA becomes recognised & represented on the Jockey Club Point-to-Point Liason Committee, with Percy Tory as Chairman. Since then, the remit was expanded to include riders, becoming known as the PPORA followed by Simon Claisse becoming the first to take the PPORA Seat on the PPA Board, seeing insurance benefits for owners & riders are increased. Robert Killen went on to ensure that the PPORA is representative of everyone in the sport with the introduction of the Members Forum, Revised Awards and increased visibility. The PPORA is and always has been run by enthusiastic volunteers, who are passionate about pointing and its future. The PPORA relies on memberships, donations and fundraising to continue to put back into the sport, in the form of PPORA Club Members' Races and more. You will see the committee members below out and about at various fixtures over the season, and these are your contact points for any queries you may want to discuss in regards to pointing. Please don't hesitate to get in touch; the PPORA is here to represent YOU!
Meet The Committee
RiCHARD RUSSELL
President
Richard has been a point-to-point owner since 1970, riding as an amateur for 30 years, during which he was also the fixture secretary for the Grafton PTP for a number of years. He was the Jockey Club representative at the PPA from 2009-2017 and also joined the BHA's Licensing Committee in 2010, becoming Chairman in 2011-2017. Richard has also acted as a Racecourse Steward and Point-to-Point Steward since 1996. Following his son, John's, retirement from race riding, his racehorses are now ridden by Tom McClorey & trained by Gerald Bailey! Richard has been the President of the PPORA since 2016.
Tel: 07999 774 174
Email: russell@churchfarm.uk.com
GILLIAN LEE
Treasurer
Gillian has been attending point-to-points since a child; over 50 years. Gillian enjoys hunting and its link to pointing. She takes her pointers hunting, which found her taking on the role of the Hurworth Point-to_point secretary for 20 years, and she still helps with the building of the course and on the day now. Gillian is a PTP steward and officiates at a few meetings a year. Over the years she has owned and trained a couple of her own horses for pointing each year with some success and plenty of disappointments - but she finds these disappointments make the wins more special! Formerly the Yorkshire rep for the PPORA, Gillian has now taken on the role of treasurer.
Tel: 07811 357504
Email: gillian_lee2@outlook.com
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Charlie Poste
Chairman
Alongside his wife Francesca, Charlie runs a point-to-point yard in Warwickshire encompassing all areas of the sport, owner-riders, syndicates, and producing young horses. Through his role as a BHA Jockey coach, Charlie helps a lot of young riders improve their skill, including aiding Alice Stevens and Amber Jackson Fennell to become National Ladies Novice Rider Champions. Charlie is excited about his new role within the PPORA and is keen to do all he can to promote our fantastic sport and see it continue to evolve.
Tel: 07879 452690
Email: charlieposte30@yahoo.co.uk
Mark Wall
Vice Chairman
Mark rode pointing for 20 years, having enjoyed many memorable days & is still an active member of the PTP community. Mark is always approachable & pleased to help young people & newbies!
Tel: 07990 995053
Email: markjwall@hotmail.co.uk
Area Representatives
Stephanie jones
Devon & Cornwall
Stephanie has been involved in racing professionally for her whole working life. Her love of point-to-pointing started in her early teens helping with family-trained pointers and hunting and having a few rides pointing too. She owns a former NH horse whom she shares with friends and enjoys hunting him, and watching him race in local point-to-points.
Tel: 07376 336 010
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John Leadbetter
Northern
John has been involved with pointing most of his life, having owned a pointer for the last 50 years & also training racehorses, including the 1979 Grand National winner Rubstic.
Tel: 07890 392026
Email: sjlrubstic@gmail.com
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charlotte marshall
South East
Charlotte and husband Fraser run a small family yard in Brightling, East Sussex. Charlotte is mum (& sometimes trainer!) to point-to-point jockeys Charlie & Izzie Marshall who are the South-East’s leading gentleman & lady rider respectively, regularly representing the area at a national level. Charlotte is passionate about pointing & together with youngest son Alfie, has successfully retrained many TBs to find new homes after their racing career.
Tel: 07887 520482
Email: marshallc335@aol.com
Jennifer Harbison
South Midlands
Jennifer is an equine Veterinary Surgeon who has been involved with point-to-pointers for over 25 years, riding, training and owning them, as well as dealing with them in a professional capacity. She is Senior Vet at Kingston Blount and Edgcote. She and Joan Johnston have a small team of pointers between them, which are very much a hobby. They all have to be fed, mucked out, ridden and turned out before they both go to work every morning and then finished off when they get back at the end of the day - proving it is still possible to do them this way!
Tel: 07738 521734
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TIM sage
West Mercian (S)
Tim has been a PTP fan his entire life, as a spectator, photographer & race reader. Having trained & ridden his first winner aged 30, he returned to pointing following a break in his 60s to train several winners including Hunter Chases. He was a judge at PTPs for more than 25 years, as well as steward, commentator & announcer. He's not shy of lending a hand, having parked cars, sold racecards & been on the committee of PTP meetings. Tim believes pointing has an enourmous amount to offer & that it is vital to maintain the participation of all roles, giving the sport it's unique personality.
Tel: 07748 104238
Email: timfsage@yahoo.co.uk
GRAHAM SAVEKeR
West Mercian (W)
Graham has been involved in point-to-points for over 35 years in one capacity or another ranging from racegoer, owner, racing journalist, Judge or Steward. Alongside this, he has represented the Welsh Borders area & the views of its members within the PPORA for over 25 years.
Tel: 07852 147630
Email: g.saveker@btinternet.com
david llewellyn
Wales
David has been involved in point-to-pointing for over 40 years; firstly as a rider in the 80's-90's & more recently as an owner-trainer. David was very involved with successful racehorse Rosies Peacock and is brother to former NH jockey Carl Llewellyn. David is a farmer who trains a few home-bred horses; one of a dying breed!
Tel: 07966 520802
Email: daillewellyn690@gmail.com
Rider Representatives
mark wall
Midlands including South Midlands, West Mercian S&W Areas
Mark rode pointing for 20 years, having enjoyed many memorable days & is still an active member of the PTP community. Mark is always approachable & pleased to help young people & newbies!
Tel: 07990 995053
Email: markjwall@hotmail.co.uk
CHARLiE MARSHALL
South & East including Sandhurst, South East & East Anglia Areas
Charlie is a pointing enthusiast, riding racing and assisting his partner Hannah who trains pointers full time in Dorset. New to the PPORA committee, Charlie has some exciting ideas!
Tel: 07516 296716
Email: charlie.marshall1@icloud.com
Immy Robinson
North including Northern, Yorkshire & West Merican N Areas
Immy has been riding in point-to-points for the past 16 seasons and is involved in training a string of pointers with her mum, Caroline.
Tel: 07581 361986
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JOHN MATHIAS
Wales
John's family has been involved in pointing for 4 generations; the South Pembrokeshire meeting is held at Lydstep which they are lucky enough to call home. John started race riding at 16 on his parents' Howdydoody & loved 10 years of pointing before injury (and weight!) put an end to it. John rode 196 P2P winners & was a runner up in the national championship 4 times. However, now alongside their wife Amber, John trains a handful of pointers for local pointing enthusiast’s which they thoroughly enjoy
Tel: 07791 628805
Email: john.mathias@redmills.co.uk
DARREN Andrews
South West including Devon & Cornwall & Wessex Areas