Horse lovers gather for Point-to-Point races

Day of racing was on tap at the Myrick Conservation Center

It was all about family at the Brandywine Hills Point-to-Point Races on Sunday in Pocopson.

POCOPSON » Easter is a time for family, and family was a key word at the Brandywine Hills Point-to-Point Races Sunday.

Set in the beautiful rolling countryside of the Myrick Conservation Center, the day of racing action had something for all ages, starting with the pony races for small, medium and large ponies, followed by a lead line pony race for tiny jockeys with parents leading them from start to finish.

“I love to watch the pony races the most, then the tailgating,” Kathleen Conway from Newlin Township said.

She did not mind that the race weekend was on Easter this year. “The holiday is here. It’s nice to spread a table and invite guests. It’s festive and it brings the community together.”

For youngsters without ponies there were stick pony races for two age groups to decide the fastest of the runners. Bonnie Baskin from Media had two children win ribbons in the stick pony races.

“We love the children’s events. They have great painting and arts and crafts,” Baskin said. “We’re having a great time.”

Children also had a chance to take part in an Easter egg hunt, enjoy games and face painting and learn more about the history of the areas and the environment.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Brandywine Valley Association. Sponsoring the racing this year was the Radnor Hunt, which provided a parade of foxhounds, and a hospitality table. Helping there was Rick Walkup from Marshallton.

“When I was younger I did the pony races. Unfortunately I didn’t do very well,” Walkup said. “Almost everyone here has something to do with the horses. There’s a common ground that you can start a conversation with anyone.”

After the children’s fun, there were three serious races for riders racing over a three-mile course of timber fences. The number of horses entered was light in comparison to prior years, but the tailgaters enjoying a good time with friends and family did not seem to mind.

Winning the featured race of the day, the Open Timber Race for the Henry C, Baldwin Challenge Trophy, was Joshua G., a nineyear old gelding owned by Jason Cole, and ridden by Eric Poretz.

In the tightest finish of the day, Joshua G., Don’t Tell Sailor, and Almarmooque were all close at the final fence, so it was the short stretch run which was the deciding factor in the win.

“It was really tough competition but he really prevailed at the last fence,” Poretz said. “The other horse out jumped him and he really dug in in the stretch.”

CHRIS BARBER — 21ST CENTURY MEDIA Grand Manan vaults the wall in the Fifth Race at Brandywine Hills Point-to-Point. That horse won the race.

CHRIS BARBER — 21ST CENTURY MEDIA Parents lead a pony as a child hangs on in the lead line race at the Brandywine Hills Point-to-Point.

CHRIS BARBER — 21ST CENTURY MEDIA Guest hounds from the Radnor Hunt pursue the grounds at the Brandywine Hills Point-to-Point Sunday.

CHRIS BARBER — 21ST CENTURY MEDIA Just Barely, No. 2, in front, and Air Maggy vault the wall in the Brandywine Hills Point-to-Point’s sixth race Sunday. Air Maggy went on to win that race.

CHRIS BARBER — 21ST CENTURY MEDIA Young jockeys gather in preparation for the pony races at the Brandywine Hills Point-toPoint on Sunday.

CHRIS BARBER — 21ST CENTURY MEDIA Children race their stick ponies in an early race at the Brandywine Hills Point-to-Point on Sunday.