ASKHAM Bryan College has come to the rescue of a popular point-to-point meeting.

The Badsworth & Bramham Moor Hunt will hold their annual gathering on pasture land near to the campus at the equestrian college, in York, on Sunday, March 29, next year.

Organisers were forced to look for a new home after the closure of the track at Whitcliffe Grange, near Ripon, following the Zetland Estate's decision to take the land back for farming.

The college is no stranger to high profile equine events having staged a British Eventing Horse Trial for the last five years. It will be the first time it has hosted a point-to-point.

“This has great significance for the College as a centre for equestrian excellence in the region,” said Liz Philip, executive principal and CEO at Askham Bryan College.

“Not only are we delighted to support such an important facet of rural life, but it also means that our students can gain experience in the foundation of the racing field also the planning and delivery of an actual event as part of their studies."

The College has around 170 students studying a range of equine courses. With indoor and outdoor schools, stabling for more than 50 horses and the use of a horsewalker, it will provide the point-to-point with superb facilities.

Work is already underway in preparation for March with the course now marked out with help from the British Horseracing Authority. The land is flat and well drained and spectators can look forward to seeing the whole of the course.

Wayne Burnell, master of the hunt, clerk of the course and a former point-to-point rider, said: "We were very disappointed when we heard that we could no longer use the course at Ripon but are delighted that Askham Bryan College is able to accommodate us. Not only is this great for the hunt, but also for the sport in Yorkshire as it will provide a new course for the area.”