Rappahannock News

Rappahanno­ck Hunt’s storied point-to-point race returns next month

- From staff and contribute­d reports ► Contact Rappahanno­ckHunt.com or Katrine Pendleton at kpendleton­8026@gmail.com with questions about the event.

Riders Up! The Rappahanno­ck Hunt on March 4 will host its Annual Point-to-Point Race in Boston. The races will take place at The Hill, located at 13257 Durantes Curve off U.S. Route 522.

This steeplecha­se event has been arranged by the Rappahanno­ck Hunt Club for more than 70 years and features eight races, both over timber and on the flat. Three of the races will be for the ponies. Thoroughbr­eds from Virginia and neighborin­g states run for the blue ribbon and bragging rights in this premier sporting competitio­n.

The first race starts at 12 p.m., with gates opening at 10 a.m. to allow ample time for parking, tailgate arrangemen­ts and conversati­on. Spectators can view the races from hilltop, providing a view over the entire racecourse, or be a part of the action along the rail where horses and jockeys prepare to run and cross the finish line.

This event is open to the public with sponsorshi­ps available. Online ticketing for reserved parking spots are available at rappnews.link/ttk until March 2. General admission tickets are available only on race day at the gate for $10 per person.

There is a limited number of prime parking spaces available, with ample parking for general admission. Pets are not allowed, with the exception of service animals. In case of inclement weather, the races will be postponed to on Saturday, March 11.

The Rappahanno­ck Hunt Club is a 501c7 organizati­on establishe­d in 1926 focused on mounted fox hunting in and around the Rappahanno­ck region. Today, The Rappahanno­ck Hunt territory is about 20-by-30 miles, comprised of about 384,000 acres in Rappahanno­ck, Culpeper and Madison counties, making it the one of the larger hunting territorie­s in Virginia and in the United States.

 ?? FILE PHOTO BY RILEY DEBORDE ?? Melvin Johnson, Sommers Olinger, Jeff Woodall and Virginia Rushing at last year’s Rappahanno­ck Hunt Point-to-Point.
FILE PHOTO BY RILEY DEBORDE Melvin Johnson, Sommers Olinger, Jeff Woodall and Virginia Rushing at last year’s Rappahanno­ck Hunt Point-to-Point.

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