By Julie Reardon

Point to point season kicks off March 2 in the Blue Ridge

Spring may not feel like it’s here yet, but it’s a sure sign it’s on the way when the point to point season gets underway in early March. And, there’s no better cure for a little cabin fever than taking in some world class racing action over fences just an hour from Alexandria. It all starts Saturday, March 2nd with the circuit’s newest course that opened 2020 in rural Culpeper County hosting the Rappahannock Hunt Point to Point Races. Rappahannock’s races, long a fixture on the early spring circuit, took a 12-year hiatus while seeking a suitable venue. And this one was worth the wait, for what may be the circuit’s prettiest course in Boston, Virginia at the Hill Farm. This location is near the Culpeper/Rappahannock county line about halfway between Culpeper and Sperryville.

Point to point races are the minor leagues of steeplechasing, or racing over fences, a sport popular in our state since colonial times.  This type of racing has its roots in the hunt field–hundreds of years ago, a pair of Irish foxhunters raced cross country using a church steeple as a landmark, to settle the question of who had the faster hunting horse. Now, as back then, horses still race over natural countryside and farmland and jump natural obstacles, although courses are set up so spectators can see all or most of the race from the sidelines or the infield. Later in the spring, races are sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association and offer cash purses and in some locations, parimutuel wagering, but the feeder program for these prestigious races is the local point to point circuit, with none bigger and more competitive than Virginia’s.

The local hunt clubs are the backbone and the labor force of the point to points in Virginia, where each club sponsors a race meet nearly every weekend in the spring. Foxhunting clubs are mostly subscription-based but for most, their point to point is the major source of income to offset the costs of maintaining a kennel of hounds, horses, trucks, trailers and tractors as well as associated feed, veterinary and staff expenses. Every hunt member, including non-riding social members, volunteers for the myriad tasks involved, from entries, hospitality tents, parking, programs and admissions, and course maintenance—no small task, since most of the “courses” are actually cow pastures.

These meets, long referred to as the “pots and pans” circuit, are considered “unsanctioned” and offer no prize money—horses race for trophies, season-end awards and bragging rights. But the competition is nevertheless fierce; point to points provide an important training ground for horses and riders that will go on to run in the bigger national races sanctioned by the sport’s governing body, the NSA, such as the Virginia Gold Cup. The point to points offer the fans a chance to see the action up close and rub elbows with the owners, trainers and riders.

Race Chairman Oliver Brown, who is also the Master of Foxhounds of the Rappahannock hunt, said the races that start at noon will include three divisions of pony races for young riders under 18. “The kids and ponies are always a crowd favorite,” said Brown. “We will also have flat, hurdle and timber races. Yes, the weather can be iffy in early March but so far, we’ve been lucky and had really nice weather for our races.”

Admission fees are generally less than half of what the big sanctioned races cost, and most of the courses offer spectacular scenic views of the racing as well as the iconic Blue Ridge splendor in the background. Admission starts at just $10 per person at the Rappahannock Hunt’s March 2nd (rain date March 9th) races; a variety of reserved rail-side and finish line tailgating spaces and tent rentals are available by advance reservation as well. Check out RappahannockHunt.com point to point race page for details. The location, at the Hill Farm, 13257 Durante’s Curve, Boston VA, is a long-time favorite fixture for hunting for its rural beauty and sweeping vistas. Farm owner Larry Levy, himself a horseman, foxhunter and active participant in racing over fences as an owner, trainer and rider, worked hard to install a first-class course in a splendid little valley with sweeping views of not only the entire course, but the panoramic mountain vistas.

“He [Larry Levy] has pulled out the stops to make it perfect. You drive through the beautiful, pristine farm to get to it, and it’s in a natural bowl, with parking on three of the four sides of it. All have really good views of the course,” said one hunt member.  Although most people pack their own picnics, food vendors will be onsite with mouth-watering local offerings.

Race day attire is country casual; these March race meets are not as much about high fashion’s latest trends as they are about being warm and comfortable for early or variable spring weather. Head gear and footwear tend to be practical rather than fanciful.