68th Running of the Brandywine Point-to-Point

Family fun and races filled the fields at the 318-acre Myrick Conservation Center. On Easter Sunday, the Brandywine Valley Association held its 68th Annual Point-to-Point. Featuring a three-mile course and 17 jumps, the races began at noon following a delightful brunch. A total of six races were run in various classes: Small Ponies, Large Ponies, Heavyweight, Novice, Open and Foxhunter.

In the Small Pony division, Marc Harris aboard Teeny Jeannie, owned by Work To Ride stables and trained by Sydney Rutledge, won; Large Pony was captured by Lindsey Capps on Bold Initiative, owned by Katie Hindt and trained by Stacy L. Hindt. Quaremba, with Jake Chalfin in the irons, won the Heavyweight class; the horse is owned by Donald Chochran and trained by Louis Neilson III. The trio teamed up again to win the Novice class with Armed Brat. The Open class belonged to Incomplete, ridden by Charles Fenwick III, owned by Robert Kinsley and trained by Ann Stewart. Ivan Dowling aboard Thermostat captured the Foxhunter’s division; the horse is owned by Morningstar Farm and trained by Ricky Hendriks.

This year, the BVA added a plethora of children’s activities in order to build on the family-friendly environment. Lead-line races, stick pony races, face painting, and an egg hunt filled the children’s day; the Easter Bunny even accompanied them in their fun.

Guests purchased raffle tickets for such prizes as a one-week stay for two in an oceanfront condo in Kauai, Hawaii; a painting by John Redmond; and a bronze by Carrie Quade.

The proceeds from the event and raffle benefit preserving and promoting places such as the Marsh Creek Resevoir, Struble Lake, and Chambers Lake and are used to encourage environmental education. In the last 10 years, the organization has raised more than $200,000.

For more information about the Brandywine Valley Association and its upcoming events, please visit www.brandywinewatershed.org.