What’s the point of chasing Steeples-

David and Anita Hasbury Snogles
Published: February 26, 2008

OK, I admit I am playing a little on words with the title here, but I thought it fun as this week's column centers around our newfound friends at the Rappahannock Hunt, and their planned Steeple Chase this coming Saturday.

We were at the joint Hunt of Rappahannock and Deep Run on Sunday to the stunningly beautiful Elmwood Farm, Boston, Va., where I learned of the Point-to-Point event coming up the following weekend.

Every year on March 1 the Hunt gathers to enjoy a day of racing and fun with tailgate lunches and plenty to quench the thirst of even the most ardent of "quaffers."  Whatever the weather, the hardened Hunt crowd will still enjoy themselves, because it's all part of the fun!

But first a little history for those of you not in the know about the origins of the "Point-to-Point" or "Steeple Chase." This is horse "racing," for want of a better description, and effectively began in Ireland back in the 1700s. When not hunting, fox hunters would want to keep their horses fit by running them across country, and rather than just go out alone as a sort of training session, they decided to spice things up a little by having a race against some of their fellow fox hunters. That point would often be a visible landmark such as the steeple of the village Ccurch, and they would race from one Church steeple to another - hence the term Steeple Chase!

These races would be run over natural obstacles such as hedgerows, ditches and fallen trees, much as they do in actual foxhunting, and the first horse to cross the finish line was declared the winner.

Steeple Chases are often held on proper race tracks, and this is exactly where the Hunt is holding its race - the historic Bleu Rock Inn in Washington, Va.

The racetrack is on Route 211 between Washington and Sperryville and lies 25 miles equidistant from Culpeper, Warrenton and Front Royal.

What better way to enjoy a bright, sunny Saturday afternoon than a day at the races-

Some of the more sceptical among you might be asking how much it is going to cost, especially as it is a Hunt Benefit, so to speak, and you'd be surprised to learn that it is a paltry $10 per person at the gate, or if you're quick and get in touch with the joint Master of the Hunt Janet O'Keefe (see rappahannockhunt.com for details), you can reduce that to an almost embarrassingly affordable $7 a head!

Except for the period covering World War II, Point-to-Points have been held in Virginia for the last 50 years, although the rare outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus last year did put paid to planned events. Other than that brief "hiccup," tradition has continued unabated and this year will be no different.

Don't forget the pageantry and attire of the huntsmen and ladies (it's a bit like a cross between 'Horse of the Year Show' and 'Royal Ascot' in England!), and you will see huntsman Michael Brown proudly showing off the Rappahannock's fine pack of hounds.

In any event, get your calendars out, clear the space and make sure you write in Rappahannock Point-to-Point, Bleu Rock Inn, Washington, 1 p.m., but get there early or you might just miss the first race.

After all, what's the point of living in some of the finest hunt country in the nation, if you don't go out and enjoy it!
Until next week

David Snogles can be reached at david_hasbury@ yahoo.com