With a boost from Mother Nature in the form of a gorgeous day on April 3, 2011, the 69th running of the Brandywine Valley Point-to-Point Races attracted nearly a thousand race-goers. The event, sponsored by the Radnor Hunt Foxhunters and held at the Brandywine Valley Association‘s ground, benefits the nonprofit’s watershed education programs.
The family-friendly activities included a parade of hounds, face painting, pennies in the hay, craft activities and the always-popular stick pony races for children.
The adult riders tackled a more serious challenge, competing on a three-mile course containing 17 jumps.
In the Small Pony division, owner/rider Katie Hindt captured first place aboard One Stinky Pony. Owner/rider John Brophy aboard Prince Caspian won the Large Pony race. Leadline Pony belonged to Carasol Ana ridden by Natalie Hendriks and owned by Maggie Hendriks. Yin Yang, owned by NoGo Stables, captured the Heavyweight division with William Meister in the irons. Meister also triumphed in the Novice Division with Sky Count, owned by Daniel Baker. Jason Griswold guided Western Fling to victory in the Open division; Western Fling is owned by Stewart Strawbridge. Hip Hip Hoorah, ridden by Nial Molloy and owned by Waverton Farm and Francis M. Sharon had an easy trip to the winner’s circle; he was the only horse in the Foxhunters division. He raced with the Heavyweights.