Point-to-Point Season In Full Swing; March 13 Pics/Recap From Warrenton
The spring The Virginia Point-to-Point racing season is in full swing! Action kicked off March 13 with five races at the Warrenton Hunt Point-to-Point, held at the Airlie Resort. Pictures are below, courtesy of photographer Douglas Lees.
The season resumes Saturday March 20 with the Piedmont Hunt at the Salem Course in Upperville, then continues with events every weekend through the end of April. For details at Piedmont call 540-592-7100.
Respective meets to follow include the second Warrenton Hunt (March 28), Old Dominion Hounds (April 3), Blue Ridge Hunt (April 11), Loudoun Hunt (April 18) and Middleburg Hunt (May 9). NSA sanctioned meets scheduled this year include the Middleburg Spring Races (May 1), Virginia Gold Cup Races (May 29), Foxfield Fall Races in Charlottesville (September 26), Virginia Fall Races (October 9 in Middleburg), the International Gold Cup Races (October 23) and the Montpelier Hunt Races (November 6).
More info on these meets is available at centralentryoffice.com and nationalsteeplechase.com.
Highway Prince (left) battles with Some Response (right) over the final hurdle in the Open Timber. Highway Prince ended up winning, with Skylar McKenna up top. Rider Skylar McKenna had two wins during the Warrenton Hunt card. The Novice Rider Flat was won by Embrace The Grind (left) and rider Courtney Dankanich, with Marvani and Stephanie Henelius (right) next. Courtney Dankanich prevails with Embrace The Grind, a 4-year-old Blame gelding. Kentucky-bred First Friday and jockey Sophie Henelius capture the Novice Timber. Jockey Sophie Henelius and trainer Paul Fout are all smiles after First Friday’s win.Open flat winner Awesome Adrian, a Maryland-bred, pulls way from Better Tapit in the Warrenton Hunt Open Flat. Winning rider Skylar McKenna is aboard Awesome Adrian after the Open Flat win. She is joined by her mother, who trains the victorious 8-year-old gelding.Sidesaddle winner Sky Babe was ridden by Julie Nate. Jump schooling took place at the Warrenton Point-to-Point in place of a couple hurdle races. Riders did not wear racing silks during the schooling session. Eve’s City, with Ross Geraghty up, schools over jumps at the Airlie Racecourse.
