By Julie Reardon

It surely didn’t feel like spring was ever coming in February, with no signs other than a lonely crocus or two straggling up through the snow. But there are signs it is on the way. The sun rising earlier and setting later as daylight gradually increases. The occasional taste of warmth on a bright sunny day.

We know it’s coming – the hunt country’s harbinger of spring, opening of the point-to-point season. For true horse lovers, those suffering from cabin fever, and those looking for a social distancing-friendly country outing, there’s nothing like the early race meets in March. These races tend to be smaller, more informal affairs but there’s no shortage of equine talent as the country’s top steeplechasers as well as hot young prospects make their debut racing over fences after a winter layoff.

With over $4 million in total purses, meets in 12 states, and millions of spectators, steeplechasing is big business. Some of the best horses and horsemen thoroughbred racing has to offer race over fences, and it all starts right here in Virginia next month. The governing body, the National Steeplechase Association, sanctions the big meets later in the spring, including the best-known Virginia Gold Cup races in May. But point-to-points, run under rules similar to the NSA, are where it all starts for both horses and riders and offer a wonderful social outing for fans as well. Virginia holds more meets than any other state during the season and most are about a scenic, hour-long drive from the DC area.

Both serious fans and casual spectators are able to get closer to the action and rub elbows with owners, trainers and riders as well as the local landed gentry. Snow and cold weather are par for the course at the early meets — but part of the fun, too. Dress warmly (fashionable attire takes a back seat to comfort) and pack plenty of adult antifreeze in your tailgate. Plan to rub elbows with local celebrities in a way you can’t at the larger spring meets – that is, if you recognize them under their winter layers!

This year’s season opener, the Rappahannock Hunt scheduled for February 28^th was rescheduled to March 28^th because the condition of the course wasn’t up to par – most likely due to the “snowsleetfreezingrain” event that took place last month and played havoc with everything!

The location, at the Hill farm between Culpeper and Sperryville, has a long history of sport with horse and hound, and has been a long-time favorite fixture for hunting for its rural beauty and sweeping vistas. The farm owner, himself a horseman and active participant in racing over fences as an owner, trainer and rider, has 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. The course provides arguably the best views on the circuit.

“He [the Hill farm owner 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 will have really good views of the course,” said Rappahannock Hunt’s Barton Hitchcock, race committee co-chair. In addition to general admission parking, tailgating spaces and party tents are available to reserve for tailgate parking. “We’re having good food, too,” Hitchcock added; and said there would be plenty of food trucks and vendors, if visitors don’t want to bring their own.

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. The Rappahannock Hunt opener has a variety of reserved rail side tailgating spaces and tent rentals are available by advance reservation as well. Rappahannock’s general admission is $10, and tailgate party spaces are available by advance reservation. Having your vehicle rail side provides a place to warm up should the weather be inclement. And should you wish to invite a bunch of friends, books of admission tickets are available at discounted prices – go to the hunt’s website at www.RappahannockHunt.com for information. Call 540-222-9887 or email bartonhitchcock@gmail.com for information on rail side tailgating space. Gates open at 10 am and the first flat race takes place at 1 pm.

Point to point races are the minor leagues of steeplechasing, or racing over fences, a sport popular in our state since colonial times. It 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 foxhunter.

The local hunt clubs are still the backbone of the sport here in Virginia, where each sponsors a race meet every weekend in the spring. For most foxhunting clubs, their point to point is a major fundraiser to offset maintaining a kennel of hounds and paying for staff, vehicles, and insurance. The pandemic cancelled most meets in 2020 and 2021, although some larger meets were held with no spectators or fans allowed. Cancellation of the hunt meets was particularly devastating because these races depend on spectators. In case of inclement weather, call the information number listed below; if a meet is cancelled or postponed, the hunt will have a recorded message.

Hope Springs Farm
Orlean VA (540) 364-9480