Heavy horses will be thundering down the Cotley course at the hunt’s point-to-point on 29 March.
Four heavy horse and cob charity Flat races have been added to the usual point-to-point card to raise the profile of the meeting.
There is one race for Shires, another for Shire crosses; an open cob race and one for hunt members.
The new races follow on from the success of last year’s camel racing and will be on the Flat.
The heavies are to race two furlongs, and the cobs between three to four furlongs.
“If you have ever dreamed of riding on point-to-point day and have a horse that would be suitable for any of our heavy horse and cob races this is your chance,” said Tom Eames, chairman of the Cotley point-to-point.
Ten entries have already been received for the new races and the hunt is hoping for many more.
The races will help raise funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Hospiscare, a local charity providing care and support for terminally ill people in mid and east Devon.
The Exeter-based charity was a great support to Neil Ransford, who runs the Cotley hunt supporter’s club, when he was first diagnosed with a potentially terminal cancer.
Fifteen entries from all over the West Country have been received so far for the new races and the hunt is hoping for more.
For more information email: tomaseames@aol.com
Another heavy horse race will be held at Lingfield Park. This year’s Showerking Flying Feathers Shire Horse Charge on 6 June will feature four Shires and four Clydesdales.
“It will be a real battle of the hooves,” said a spokesman for the racecourse.
Kent-based Hurst Green Shires is providing all the horses for the race.
The inaugural heavy horse race was held at Lingfield in 2013 — last year jockey Marc Goldstein romped home to win the race on Morpheau.
For more information visit www.lingfieldpark.co.uk
