Point-to-point (steeplechase)

The owner must be a member, subscriber or farmer of a recognized pack of Hounds and must obtain a Hunter Certificate from the Master to that effect.

Chasing from 'steeple to steeple' or point-to-point began in 1752 when Mr Blake challenged his neighbour Mr O'Callaghan, to race across country from Buttevant church to Doneraile church some four and a half miles distance and to jump stone walls, ditches and hedges as they presented themselves.

A race is described that took place on 2 January from Sutton-on-the-Forest to Brandsby, held by the 9th Lancers stationed at nearby York.

The first reference to a hunt holding a point-to-point came in 1875, when the Sporting Gazette contained a detailed account of a Monmouthshire Hunt Point-to-point chase held on 12 January from Llansaintfraed to Tykin-under-Little-Skirrid, which Captain Wheeley won easily from his thirteen rivals.

[3] In Great Britain, local hunts combined in 1913 to form the Master of Hounds Point‐to‐Point Association and issue a standard set of rules.

This however can be reduced if certain fences are unfit or unsafe to be jumped (e.g. due to ground conditions or a fallen horse being in the way).

[12][13][14] HRI had before 2016 provided personnel and funding to hunt clubs for prize money and meeting costs.