The Co. Clare point-to-point committee have been providing the world of social media with a behind the scenes look into what is involved in the running of a point-to-point, having taken over the Thoroughbred Tales Twitter account.
Thoroughbred Tales, was set up by a small number of industry professionals with the aim to promote racing to a wider audience through the people actually working behind the scenes in the racing and breeding industry.
This global social media project centres mainly around Twitter, but also features Facebook and Instagram accounts and to date has over 4,000 followers in its first few months. The accounts are guest hosted by different industry professionals for certain periods of time that can range from a few days to a week.
The Bellharbour committee have hosted the account from January 27th in the build-up to the fixture itself on Sunday 2nd February, with insights from the likes of point-to-point secretary Paul O’Neill, commentator Ger Hannon, regional entries secretary Frankie Ward, and Veterinary Surgeon Louis Hassett.
Here is a selection of some of the great video interviews they have featured:
The Committee of @BellharbourPtoP meet up every week, for 2 months before the fixture, to organise everything that needs to be done. Meetings take place in The Monks Well - a pub in Quin, Co Clare with a big racing connection being owned by Clare Titley, mother of Jason! pic.twitter.com/gQwfj47DO8
— Thoroughbred Tales (@ThoroughbrdTale) January 26, 2020
— Thoroughbred Tales (@ThoroughbrdTale) January 28, 2020
The track @BellharbourPtoP is always presented to a high standard. This would not be possible without the hard work & generosity of the landowners, the Linnane Family, who are now in the 20th year of hosting this fixture. Here is Shane Linnane discussing some of the preparations pic.twitter.com/ZXGx4HmZ5n
— Thoroughbred Tales (@ThoroughbrdTale) January 28, 2020
The location of the @BellharbourPtoP track this morning - located between the Burren & the Atlantic - before all the jumps & rails arrive tomorrow & work starts on site to transform it into a fully fledged point to point track. #WildAtlanticWay pic.twitter.com/SeMhW3YUnx
— Thoroughbred Tales (@ThoroughbrdTale) January 28, 2020
There are many important roles on the day of a Point to Point - one of these is the @BellharbourPtoP Official Veterinary Surgeon - Louis Hassett is here to discuss how he plays a vital part in the health & welfare of all the horses taking part on the day. pic.twitter.com/gWyYVi4MEO
— Thoroughbred Tales (@ThoroughbrdTale) January 28, 2020
Brian McCarthy is joint clerk of the course @BellharbourPtoP & is a pivotal member of the point to point & hunting communities in Co Clare - he works tirelessly to make sure everything is just perfect for the fixture - here he is to tell us more about his role. pic.twitter.com/4GozU7BXD7
— Thoroughbred Tales (@ThoroughbrdTale) January 29, 2020
Secretary of the @BellharbourPtoP is Paul O’Neill - an unsung hero of point to points in Ireland - he works tirelessly all year long to develop & produce two top class fixtures in Bellharbour & @QuakerstownPtoP. Paul also has the task of keeping the rest of the committee in line! pic.twitter.com/LsrRalFuab
— Thoroughbred Tales (@ThoroughbrdTale) January 29, 2020
Frankie Ward is the @HRIRacing regional Point to Point secretary & joins us every year for both @BellharbourPtoP & @QuakerstownPtoP - Frankie Ward is a familiar face on the circuit and runs the weigh tent with clockwork efficiency & is looking forward to the big day! pic.twitter.com/I8IOlQImtI
— Thoroughbred Tales (@ThoroughbrdTale) January 29, 2020
Volunteers have arrived to the track @BellharbourPtoP to help with the set up for Sunday 2nd February - thanks to @shanelinnane12 for video pic.twitter.com/lFepOHrPVq
— Thoroughbred Tales (@ThoroughbrdTale) January 29, 2020
CAUTION - MEN AT WORK! All go today out at the course @BellharbourPtoP 🚜🛠⚠� pic.twitter.com/IewSiw7ueZ
— Thoroughbred Tales (@ThoroughbrdTale) January 30, 2020
Our commentator @gerhannon60 talks us through his role on the day of the @BellharbourPtoP & gives us an experts look ahead to the meeting on Sunday @irishp2p pic.twitter.com/T1RVZQFSMM
— Thoroughbred Tales (@ThoroughbrdTale) January 30, 2020
Pat Hannon from Newmarket on Fergus, Co Clare, is one of the Stewards of @BellharbourPtoP - he is there to make sure that we all behave ourselves on Sunday @irishp2p @HRIRacing @IrishTurfClub @ihrb_ie pic.twitter.com/n3wCsnFuNg
— Thoroughbred Tales (@ThoroughbrdTale) January 27, 2020
For the last couple of years our wonderful @REDMILLSPet Dog Show @BellharbourPtoP has been ably run by Deirdre Cusack & her assistant Tiernan O’Neill - here they are to tell you more details ahead of day so you can have your four legged friends competition ready! pic.twitter.com/PkhpERORkC
— Thoroughbred Tales (@ThoroughbrdTale) January 27, 2020
Here is one of our long standing local volunteers Francie Fitz - he is off on his rounds to put posters up in local shops & businesses all around Co Clare pic.twitter.com/EYBKp0t3op
