Fence markings to turn white ahead of new season

 Image © Healy Racing

Commencing from the start of the 2025/26 Point to Point Season in October, both toe and knee board markings on fences at point-to-point fixtures will be white, instead of the current orange. 

The IHRB noted that this change was being made as there is a strong scientific basis for moving to white identification markers on fences, based on their visibility to racehorses. 

The two other main National Hunt racing jurisdictions, Britain and France, exclusively use obstacles with white markings, and this change will ensure Ireland will be aligned in this regard also.

British track racing switched to ‘white’ jumps in early 2022, with point-to-point racing there following suit ahead of their 2022/23 season commencing.

That followed extensive research by Exeter University throughout 2017 and 2018 into equine vision.

Their research focused on trialling different colour options in a variety of racing environments and weather conditions, including the traditional orange markings. 

As horses have reduced ‘dichromatic’ colour vision compared to humans, they see mainly hues we would perceive as blue and yellow, and are unable to tell apart shades of red, green, and orange.  

The study found that changing the wood and vinyl padding of take-off boards, guard rails and top boards to white provided increased contrast and visibility for horses, leading to improved jumping performance. 

Horse Racing Ireland had stated in May 2024 that all Irish racing would be converted to white markings on hurdles and fences by the end of 2025.


Source: Great British Racing.