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Friday, March 29, 2024

Old Dominion and Blue Ridge Point-to-Points to open steeplechasing's fall season

BEN VENUE, Va.--Old Dominion Hounds and Blue Ridge Point-to-Points, cancelled thie spring, have moved to Sept. 12 and 19, and they now open steeplechasing's fall season.

OldDominion 1 Betsy Burke ParkerOldDominion (Photo by Betsy Burke Parker)"We've already heard from some horsemen," said race chairman Matt Hatcher, himself a regular in the owner-rider timber, foxhunters timber and owner-rider hurdle divisions on the Virginia Point-to-Point Foundation spring circuit. "I know a lot of trainers and riders have said the (Ben Venue) course is one of their favorites of the whole year."

 

THE WEATHER and training conditions around the mid-Atlantic have been outstanding, Welch added, making a huge turnout almost a given.

Blue RidgeBlue Ridge (Photo by Betsy Burke Parker)NSA president Al Griffin, race secretary Bill Gallo and VPPF president Don Yovanovich have been helping ODH and the Blue Ridge Hunt, which rescheduled their meets for a mini-Virginia circuit to kick off autumn racing, to tweak conditions to suit the season.

"We helped Old Dominion and Blue Ridge arrange their cards to work with the horse population," Yovanovich said. "They needed a couple maiden races, obviously, and we had them add in an apprentice race to suit" the
re-vamped NSA schedule. "Those young riders need places to 'qualify' so they can move up to the sanctioned circuit, and these two point-to-points really stepped up to make it happen."

Ten races are carded at both meets, with splits expected in several if weather conditions hold up the next few weeks.

The other tricky puzzle the two Virginia hunts need to piece together is how to manage the "Phase 3 opening" rules of Virginia's legislature.

"We're allowed a thousand spectators is how we're reading it," Welch explained. ODH is spacing their tailgate spots on the hill overlooking the natural bowl of the Ben Venue Farm course. "We're putting spots on the infield this year for the first time to allow for more room."

The Great Meadow International horse trial this past weekend is providing something of a roadmap -- with 250 entries and an estimated 200 or more volunteers and officials, the event would have had few tailgate sponsorships to sell if they'd counted horsemen against their 1,000 allowed on the grounds.

Competitors, officials, grooms, even press, are considered "essential personnel" to put on the show, so Great Meadow sold widely spaced tents overlooking the Fleming Farm arena at the backside of the racecourse.

"If Virginia moves to Phase 4, or whatever, the rules may be relaxed, but, for now, please everybody understand the only way we're able to offer sport is if everyone agrees to comply," Yovanovich said. "Horsemen are accustomed to the mask thing, and staying away from each other."

The main difference at the point-to-points will be that there's no stabling, so horsemen need to remember to bring everything they need -- all their own water, all their own snacks and drinks for everyone with them.

Hatcher said there will not be a jockeys tent, so riders need to allow for changing clothes in their own parking spaces (which will be near the paddock as usual) or in the van area (which will be extended into the usual general parking.)

There will be a horse trailer parked by the paddock if horsemen need a safe, covered spot for tack pickup or quick silks' changes, but riders are encouraged to set up their tack bags, cars and trailers to allow for a changing area.

No food will be for sale on the grounds, and there will not be the expected horsemen's drink coolers.

There will be a single water truck for emergency replenishing, but Welch stressed that horsemen must prepare for self-sufficiency more than usual.

Owners are welcome to apply for a parking space -- contact admissions' chair Linda Reynolds at 540-270-0651.

Welch (540-631-8607) has more horsemen's information, including details on overnight accommodations for Friday night -- horses and people -- for anyone wanting to ship in early.

Arrival time details will be posted on the overnight -- find exact race conditions and entry details at centralentryoffice.com.

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