Racing enthusiasts attending the annual Cotley Point-to-Point on Sunday 30 March at Cotley, near Chard in Somerset will be in for a surprise when they see the runners entered in the first race of the day at 11.30am. Four shaggy ships of the desert, otherwise known as camels, are due to come thundering down the finishing straight, ridden by jockeys wearing flowing Lawrence of Arabia style regalia, all in aid of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance charity.

"Camel racing is an exciting addition to this year's race meeting," said Tom Eames, the new Chairman of the Cotley Point to Point. "We've got four camel races, each with four camels competing and we've been inundated with riders willing to raise sponsorship in order to be jockeys and from businesses wanting to sponsor the camels. In fact we received so many applications that we increased the number of races from three to four. We are hoping to raise over £4,000 for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance from both the camel racing and the Cotley Hedge Laying Competition, which is taking place the day before the point-to-point."

Tom is an old hand at camel racing, having tried it a few years ago. It was an experience, which he describes as: "Thrilling, even if I wasn't sure who was in control, me or the camel!" and it inspired him to consider adding camel racing to the Cotley Point-to-Point programme. "Several other point-to-point organisers have held camel racing at their point-to-points with enormous success," said Tom. "We want to encourage as many people as possible to come point-to-point racing, as it's a great sport, which people of all ages can enjoy."

Camel racing is an immensely popular pastime in the Middle East and it is fast catching on in the UK with races being held all over the country from Cheltenham Racecourse to the Royal Cornwall Show. The camels who will be taking part in the Cotley Point to Point are Dromedaries (one hump) and Bactrian (two humps) types, who are owned and specially trained by Rebecca and Joseph Fossett of Joseph's Amazing Camels (JAC) from Warwickshire.

Wearing colourful Arabian style trappings, JAC's camels will be competing in four races, taking place at 11.30am, 12noon, 12.30pm and 1pm, with prize givings for jockeys and sponsors of winning camels at the end of each race.

"I cannot thank our camel jockeys, camel sponsors and race sponsors enough for their support in helping raise money for this excellent charity. It's wonderful that all these local people and Somerset businesses have rallied to our cause with such enthusiasm. If we can make this year's camel racing event a success then we will certainly consider adding it to the point-to-point programme again next year," said Tom Eames, who will be presenting a cheque for the money raised to Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance immediately after the last camel race.

When the camels have finished racing they will be on public display and it is well worth taking the opportunity to visit these splendid creatures while they are at the point-to-point.

Cotley Camel Races Preview
The camels will be racing on the flat over a shorter distance (approximately one furlong - 1/8th mile/220 yards) than their equine counterparts who must race between 2 1/2 to 3 miles.

All camels will carry a maximum weight of 14 stone and riders must be aged 18 years or over. Crash hats and back protectors are compulsory. Each rider must have raised a minimum of £150 in sponsorship. The dress code for jockeys is Arabian style costume.

The winning jockey in each race will receive a bottle of champagne and all camel jockeys will receive a Cotley Camel Racing commemorative plaque. There will be a special prize awarded to the best dressed jockey in each race. The sponsor of the winning camel in each race will receive a commemorative photograph frame.

11.30 am. Ladies Race sponsored by Cotley Inn
Camels kindly sponsored by: Elder and Froy Estate Agents, Smiths Gore Rural Chartered Surveyors, Humphries Kirk Solicitors and Porter Dodson Solicitors
Jockeys: Laura Cozens, Becky Harvey, Stephanie Lloyd Foxe, Emma Knight
Form: Don't be fooled by these lovely ladies, they are all experienced and highly competitive horsewomen who won't be taking any prisoners in their bid to win.

12 noon. Point to Point Members Race sponsored by Albert Goodman
Camels kindly sponsored by: Gibbs Funeral Services, NFU Mutual, Bredy Agri Centre, tree surgeon Oliver Bailhache
Jockeys: Ben Lund, Raymond Pipe, Nickie Ayers, Kathryn Reed
Form: These jockeys are the business - all have serious point-to-point racing experience. But will it be enough when it comes to telling a camel where to go?

12.30pm. Veterinary Race sponsored by Courtash Property Developers
Camels kindly sponsored by: Synergy Farm Health, Isle Valley Veterinary Group, Coombefield Veterinary Hospital, Kingfisher Veterinary Practice.
Jockeys: Dominic Schneider (riding for Isle Valley Veterinary Group), Tessa Porter (riding for Coombefield Veterinary Hospital), Nicola Eisenhauer (riding for Kingfisher Veterinary Practice), Matthew Board (riding for Synergy Farm Health).
Form: With local vets racing each other, this is going to be a race worth watching. Look out for Dominic Schneider, an experienced team chaser who will undoubtedly be showing his camel who's boss.

1pm. Cotley Hunt Supporters Race sponsored by Seabrook Clark Investment Management
Camels kindly sponsored by: Mole Avon, WE Phillips & Sons Ltd, Riverside Feeds Ltd, C Snell Wholesale
Jockeys: Kris Parsons, Ryan Kuszek, Joanne Anning, Kate Sopwith.
Form: There will be lots of cheering for the local Cotley riders in this race. The pressure will be on for Joanne Anning, who will be riding for her employers Mole Avon.

Cotley Point-to-Point Horse Races - 1st race 1.30pm
In addition to the four Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance charity camel races, there will be six horse races on the 2014 Cotley Point-to-Point race card:
▪ 1.30pm The Beviss & Beckingsale Cotley Hunt Members, Subscribers and Farmers Race
▪ 2.05pm The Henry Bowers Ltd Countryside Alliance Club Members Conditions Race
▪ 2.40pm The Dairy Farm Services South West Ltd Open Maiden Race for 4, 5, 6 and 7 year olds (2 1/2 miles)
▪ 3.20pm The Brewin Dolphin Mixed Open Race
▪ 3.55pm The Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood Restricted Race
▪ 4.30pm The Greenslade Taylor Hunt Open Maiden Race

Top Wessex trainers who support the Cotley Point-to-Point
Nigel Legg, Gordon Herrod, Colin Bright, Jane Weston, Richard Barber, Jack Barber, Kaylie Woollacott, Sue Popham, Ed Walker, Marie McGuinness, Chloe Roddick, Ryan Bliss, Mary Tory and Ben Lund.

An excellent viewing course in an idyllic setting
The Cotley Point-to-Point course is located in the most wonderful countryside and provides an idyllic setting in which to watch racing. The cost of entry, payable on the gate, is just £20 per car (£10 for cars with a single occupant). An official race card and form guide, packed with indispensable information on likely winners and rank outsiders, will be available for purchase on the day. Well behaved dogs are also welcome on leads.

Refreshments are available on the day, together with a bar, barbecue, a variety of trade stands, a bouncy castle, a Tote and assorted bookmakers. You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy while watching the racing. Between 2.40 and 3.20pm the famous lemon and white Cotley hounds will parade and members of the public (especially children) will be invited to meet them.

Key Facts About the Cotley Point-to-Point

• Over 60 years of superb racing on one of the West Country's most popular point-to-point courses
• The Cotley Point-to-Point has provided an excellent training ground for some of the UK's top National Hunt trainers, including Robert Alner, Robert Buckler, Simon Burrough, Chris Popham, Colin Tizzard and Venetia Williams.
• The most popular racing celebrity to have visited the Cotley Point-to-Point was Red Rum on May Day in 1979.
• Some of the best amateur jockeys have cut their teeth riding at the Cotley Point-to-Point, including Jim Culloty, Bob Butler, Venetia Williams, Polly Gundry and Ryan Mahon who in 2011 rode at the Cotley Point-to-Point AND in the Grand National
• The undulating course is approximately three miles and 120 yards long, and is one of the few remaining genuine point-to-point courses left in the South West
• There are nine fences, measuring 4ft 3in, including an open ditch - they are all jumped twice.
• The fences are hand-made by Cotley volunteers from sustainable, locally grown birch.
• Camel racing starts at 11.30am.
• Horse racing starts at 1.30pm.
• Get to the Point-to-Point early for a good parking spot overlooking the racecourse.
• Refreshments, bar, barbecue, trade stands.
• Entry fee: £20 per car, £10 for a car with a single occupant.
• The course can be found two miles SW of Chard, off the A30 - post
• For further details about the Cotley Point-to-Point, contact the Chairman, Tom Eames on 01460 239390/07710 379564.