Jockeys
Below and attached you should be able to find everything you need in order to be able to ride in a point-to-point race. Most importantly, you can complete your Riders Qualification Certificate here, learn all about the medical requirements you need to fulfil to be allowed to ride, understand more about the sport if you are a first-season rider and access the forms you need if you are being sponsored and want to purchase equipment. If you still have any questions, please contact the PPA on 01793 781990 or at info@p2pa.co.uk
Please note that the forms on this page are currently in the process of being updated for the 2024-2025 season. If a form has "20242025" in its body or title, it is up to date. If not, it is a 2023-2024 form and the latest version will be available shortly.
All that you need to know about regulatory and other changes for the 2024-2025 point-to-point season will appear here shortly.
All riders must have an RQC for the current season before they can ride in a point-to-point. The RQC is proof that riders are qualified to ride in point-to-point races.
In order to apply for a 2024-2025 Riders Qualification Certificate (RQC) you will need to download and complete the form below, inclusive of a Declaration of Health.
As a new initiative, first season riders benefit from a £50 discount on the cost of their RQC and the fee is therefore only £140, instead of the normal £190.
Section 3 of the RQC requires a Hunt Official’s signature, stating their role in the Hunt. This can be any Hunt Official, not necessarily the Secretary.
Riders should allow at least ten working days for their licence to be processed. If there is a problem with your application or further information is required, this may take considerably longer, so – to avoid disappointment – we encourage you to apply in good time.
Following medical clearance, a successful assessment (if required) and payment being received, your RQC will be issued.
If possible, please scan the completed certificate and send it to us as a PDF - this is simpler and quicker than sending photographs of the individual pages. If you are unable to scan, please save any photos you upload at “Medium” size – any smaller and they are difficult to read, while any larger makes them hard to process.
If you are completing the form by hand and sending it to the PPA, please ensure you put the correct postage on your RQC application, otherwise it will not be delivered.
All applicants for an RQC must accurately complete and sign The Declaration of Health on pp 7-9 of the RQC form every year. All riders falling into one or more of the following categories will also be required to submit a completed BHA Medical Form before their RQC can be issued:
- All first-time applicants (unless you have an up to date medical for a NHA Amateur licence).
- If you have not completed the BHA Medical Form for five years.
- If you are 40 or over, if you have not completed it for two years.
- If you are 50 or over.
If you are 55 or over, you will also have to provide resting 12 lead ECG and bloods for FBC, renal and liver function, fasting lipid profile and glucose.
In addition to the above, other applicants may be required to submit BHA Medical Forms at the discretion of the BHA Chief Medical Adviser and in consideration of their medical history.
Medicals can only be undertaken by a doctor who has access to your NHS Medical records summary.
You do not need to submit a new BHA Medical Form if your current medical expires within 12 months of the date of your application.
All paperwork, including that relating to the medical part of the your application, should be returned to the PPA, except for Medical Forms, which should be sent directly to the BHA Medical Team at rqcmedicals@britishhorseracing.com
However, the date of the medical, and when the form was sent to the BHA, must also be included on the form sent to the PPA.
The BHA Chief Medical Advisor will assess the medical part of your application. Any concerns will be investigated further and you will be informed accordingly.
This is the most time-consuming element of the RQC application process so, if your require a medical, please ensure that you submit your form well in advance of the date on which you intend to have your first ride.
Medical Record Book. You will be issued a physical Medical Record Book (MRB) when you receive your first RQC. These must be provided to the officials on the day you intend to race and, without one, you will not be allowed to ride. If you lose your MRB, you can buy a new one.
Insurance
The PPA holds an insurance policy that provides liability insurance for jockeys whilst participating in point-to-points and completing their Rider Assessment (see below). A separate Personal Accident insurance policy is also in force for jockeys from weigh out to weigh in, which provides limited cover for injury and loss of earnings. It is strongly recommended that, where possible, you have private insurance, especially for those with dependants.
Point-to-point riders can also access the full range of support and services provided by the Injured Jockeys Fund, where appropriate. Anyone who has ever held a licence to ride in point-to-points is entitled to help from the IJF during their entire lifetime. To find out more, visit
injuredjockeys.co.uk
Assessments
In addition to the requirement for a medical, first-time riders – and those who have not ridden in a race over hurdles or fences for five years or more –need to undergo a rider assessment.
This has been a requirement since the 2018/19 point-to-point season. Such riders need to meet with a PPA-approved, Level 3 BHA Jockey Coach during the process of applying for their RQC. This can be done at one of several recognised training days (dates below) across the country (for a £30 fee, which is refundable when you apply for an RQC), or arranged locally with your Jockey Coach on a one-on-one basis (such sessions will be chargeable). The links below provide a comprehensive guide to the process.
Training Days
Sunday 6th October 2024 – Tim Vaughan Racing, Pant Wilkin Stables, Cowbridge CF71 7GX – Jockey Coach Rodi Greene
Tuesday 29th October 2024 (date TBC) – Alan & Lawney Hill Racing, Woodway Farm, Aston Rowant OX49 5SJ – Jockey Coach Charlie Poste (TBC)
Thursday 31st October 2024 – Pontispool Equine Sports Centre, Taunton TA4 1BG – Jockey Coach Rodi Greene
Friday 29th November 2024 – The British Racing School, Newmarket CB8 7NU – Jockey Coach Charlie Poste
For the 2024-2025 season, the RSS Registration and Agreement are again combined into a single form, for self-completion, that needs to be signed by both rider and sponsor.
Before you register for sponsorship, please read the ‘six simple steps’ below and the information regarding the RSS scheme and the use of sponsorship funds.
Six simple steps to rider sponsorship:
If you have a sponsor, you will need to complete the form, return it to the PPA (either by email – preferred – or post) and pay the sponsorship money either by BACS or cheque, so the sponsorship can be formally registered. If something needs further clarification we will contact you, usually via email.
Once the registration has been confirmed, you can order any equipment directly from one of the PPA approved suppliers, who are listed in the document that provides information on RSS.
If you wish to use some of your sponsorship funds to cover the cost of your RQC or PPORA
membership, you will need to tick the relevant box on the RQC application form.