A TOTAL of 72 point-to-point fixtures have been scheduled for the spring season, one less than in the 2025 season.

The Laois Foxhounds will unveil their new course at Ballygogue House, Ballacolla, Co Laois on Saturday, February 21st, while the Iveagh Foxhounds will return to the spring fixture list when they hold their fixture at Derrydrummuck, Loughbrickland, Co Down on Saturday, March 14th.

The INHSC promotion of maiden races for horses aged six and older continues with a bonus of €800 for the winning owner in each of the six races in the series.

The INHSC will sponsor a bonus of €1,000 to the winning owner of the five-year-old and upwards maiden race at Killinick on Sunday, March 8th. This race is confined to handlers who have not trained more than 10 winners and held a point-to-point handlers’ permit during the 2024/’25 season.

To incentivise hunt committees to programme opportunities for novice riders, the INHSC will contribute a total of €12,500 to support 20 races in the open lightweight and winners race categories and 14 maiden races.

At least one novice riders’ race has been programmed on each weekend, and all 34 races will form part of the INHSC Novice Riders’ Series, which commenced at the start of the current season.

INHSC chairperson Jill Farrell said: “The INHSC is pleased to continue with our financial support of point-to-points next spring, through in excess of €21,000 in our sponsorship of various races and initiatives.

“We would like to compliment the Laois Foxhounds on their work in sourcing and preparing a new course and welcome back the Iveagh Foxhounds after an absence of four years from the spring fixture list. Finally, the Directors would like to wish all participants a safe and successful spring season.”

INHSC OLDER HORSE MAIDENS BONUS SERIES

PTP FIXTURES >>17