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By LOUISA WOODVILLE
Arundel Newspapers Staff Writer The Rappahannock Point-toPoint run at Thorton Hill Farm March 4 had more entries this year than at any time in its history. “I’m sure some people woke up that morning and said, ‘Ahhhh!’” said pair race chairman Sally Cunningham, referring to the rain.
But the moisture was more of an Irish mist, “an English-type day,” co-chairman Oliver Brown called it; and it certainly did not keep entries away.
“We’ve never run three divisions of hurdle before,” said Mr. Brown, Rappahannock’s huntsman, referring to the maiden hurdle race whose 24 entries were split three ways. The turf and open timber races were split into two divisions.
“Our course is kind of tight, so we limit the number per race,” explained Brown. More than 80 horses raced, not including the ponies, mules and 28 hunter pairs.
Riders agree that the tight turns and infamous hills make the Rappahannock course a challenge to ride. The fence at the bottom of the hill and the hard left turn after landing are especially demanding for horse and rider.
Though Saturday dawned wet, the course was in fine shape, and even by the end of the day’s ninerace card the course showed little evidence of the horses’ passing. “It’s old sod, with a lot of fescue. It’s got deep roots — it’s tough,” Mr. Brown explained.
“I’m damn glad we didn’t postpone, Mr. Brown added. Though there was apparently some thought of postponing until Sunday, when the forecast was 50 degrees and sunshine, the weather was worse that day than on Saturday. “I’d always perfer to go ahead and run. Too many have come too far, and if it’s put off there is too much to redo,” Mr. Brown said.
“I’d like to specially thank,” Mr. Brown said, “the loyal people who came out for a really good day of racing. We thank the participants and the spectators for their cooperation and their dedication to come out on a less than ideal day.”
The riders seemed to share Mr. Brown’s reaction to the decision to go ahead with the meet. “The hills were fun to ride,” said owner-rider Henry Wood. Wood’s Topeador continued the winning streak he started
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