June 2020 Issue

Page 26 June 2020 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN By Suzanne Bush The downstream impact of the Coronavirus will be felt across our nation for years to come. The suffering and devasta- tion caused by this virus are hard to comprehend; as the death toll mounts, and the economic shocks reverberate from cities to rural counties, people are left wonder- ing how this will end. And when it ends, what will be left of the lives and pursuits that held both joy and opportunity? At a macro level, global industries that were once pow- erful and ostensibly indomitable have been hollowed out and nearly destroyed. In small towns once-busy restaurants and stores are dark, their futures in doubt. Farms, once the bedrock of the nation’s food supply and an industry dependent on virtually infinite labor supplies, stagger under the weight of debt and erosion of market share. No one, no business, no event, not even the most routine pursuit has been spared. In the midst of all this sadness and uncertainty, it might seem frivolous to also mourn the cancellations of events that had been spring highlights for The Rites of Spring, Wronged by a Virulent Coronavirus equestrians and horse lovers. But it is both relevant and worth- while to consider these events in the context of the charities and non-profit organizations that are their beneficiaries. The region’s most-an- ticipated spring equestrian events—world class, packed with excitement and talent and beautiful equines—were all canceled. The Winterthur Point-to-Point, the Willowdale Steeplechase and the Devon Horse Show joined the trove of cancellations resulting from the pandemic. These May fixtures have long thrilled horse lovers and equestrians and provided thousands of dollars annually to charities and non-profits. A Garden and Celebrated Museum For more than 40 years, the Winterthur Point-to-Point has been a bright note on the calen- dar—the first Sunday in May—a signal of the beginning of Spring. Through ticket sales and spon- sorships, the Winterthur Point- to-Point raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars annually, to support the Winterthur Museum Garden and Library near Wilm- ington, DE. The childhood home of Henry Francis du Pont, Winter- thur offers a dazzling collection of American decorative arts housed in the mansion that is the centerpiece of this estate. Set on rolling hills, the perfect venue for the annual Point-to-Point races, race fans could be forgiven if they overlooked the lush gardens, the museum and library. But students from around the world and the region understand the trove of cultural history avail- able for study and enjoyment at Winterthur. Greta Brown Layton, a member of Winterthur’s board for many years, conceived the idea of an annual race day on the estate as a way to broaden the appeal of Winterthur, by bringing more people onto the grounds. It was an instant success that grew into a revered tradition, attracting nearly 20,000 spectators. A Steeplechase in the Heart of Horse Country Another May tradition, the Willowdale Steeplechase in Chester County, PA would have celebrated its 28th anniversary the second weekend in May. The brainchild of W.B. Dixon Stroud, Jr., an accomplished steeple- chaser, the Willowdale Stee- plechase raises money for the Stroud Water Research Center and The University of Penn- sylvania’s New Bolton Center. These organizations are commu- nity-based (New Bolton Center is just a couple of miles from the Willowdale site) and tied to initiatives that provide essential resources for populations far beyond Chester County. The Stroud Water Research Center is dedicated to protect- ing fresh water systems through research, education and steward- ship. Water! Who knew? Stroud education programs are geared to teachers as well as students, through events, hands-on pro- grams, professional development workshops, etc. Again, water may not be the first thing one consid- ers when assessing priorities. But, then again, fresh, clean, potable water is at the heart of a healthy life. The University of Penn- sylvania’s Veterinary Medical School’s New Bolton Center has been another beneficiary of the Willowdale Steeplechase. It may seem as if a large animal veterinary hospital may not be all that relevant to folks who do not own horses. But cows and pigs and goats and lambs are large animals, too. And they are critical pieces of the food supply upon which we all de- pend. Without state-of-the-art, expertly-trained practitioners who can help farmers ensure the safety of their animals, how can consumers be assured the food they’re serving their families is safe? A Horse Show and Country Fair Like No Other Since 1896, the Devon Horse Show has been a mag- net for equestrians and horse lovers from all over the world. The pageantry, the hats, the horses, the adorable kids on ponies—all are part of a massive fund-raising effort that bene- fits Bryn Mawr Hospital. The Devon Horse Show is the single largest contributor to Bryn Mawr Hospital, and the horse show has raised more than $16 million for the hospital, through the massive volunteer efforts that make the Devon Horse Show an interna- tional sensation. Patient pavil- ions, new operating rooms, new labor and delivery rooms—all in one of the nation’s most high- ly-rated community hospitals— are there thanks to this revered institution. Fans have come to Devon for decades to see and to cele- brate some of the world’s most accomplished equestrians, along with kids on ponies with dreams of future ribbons and glory in this venue where Olympians and Olympic hopefuls have brought their horses to an event on a now-busy highway in a once-bu- colic town just a few miles from Philadelphia. A Changed Landscape The disruption in equestrian events has not been limited to steeplechases and horse shows. The Kentucky Derby, Preakness and the Belmont Stakes have all been postponed as horseracing’s Triple Crown grapples with the ever-expanding tentacles of the Coronavirus. As the pandemic travels its own course, equestri- ans and farms and horses will likely be affected even more profoundly. Fundraisers will return someday. Horses will still be the willing partners in races and shows. It’s humans who will determine whether these diffi- cult days will define our com- munities, or communities will stake out turf that defines a new reality. Real Estate Remember...tell our advertisers you found them in East Coast Equestrian!