March 2022 Issue

Page 60 March 2022 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN The clock is ticking down to the exciting running of the 79th Brandywine Hills Point- to-Point on Sunday, April 3, at the Myrick Conservation Center in Pocopson Township, Chester County, PA. This annual event is an out- standing opportunity to see stee- 79th Brandywine Hills Point-to-Point Scheduled for April 3 plechase racing at its finest over a 318-acre property overlooking the stunning scenery of southern Chester County, including as many as 17 jumps. But Brandywine Hills is more than mere horse racing, because in addition to the chance to watch the horses and riders traverse the course, there is a multitude of activities for chil- dren, making it a premier family event in springtime Chester County. The gates open at 11 a.m., and the races begin at noon along with children’s activities running from 11:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. For the kids who are eager to memorialize their visit to the point-to-point there is a pho- to booth where they and their friends can take shots with their phones or cameras. Also includ- ed in the offerings are Lenape Lore activities, a planting table, glitter tattoos and jewelry mak- ing. Perhaps the most popular youth events are the lead line and stick pony races. Children as young as 3 years old are invited to race to a finish line riding their own stick ponies. There are two of these: one for kids 3 to 5 years old, and the sec- ond one for those ages 6 to 8. The lead line pony races begin at 1:15 p.m. The children mount their ponies, and the parents lead them along a short course for the prize. Shortly after the youth races comes the event that adults and children alike adore: the Radnor Hunt foxhound parade. They and their master come waggling over the hill and greet the crowd, scurrying around and barking to attract attention. They aren’t there to touch, but they are delighted to be photographed. Children who attend the races will also be pleased to see small, medium and large pony races, ridden by young jockeys with remarkable finesse and great speed. The races begin at noon with the Field Master Chase. It is followed by the children’s races, with the adult Ladies Race resuming at 1:45 after the parade of hounds. The Amateur Ap- prentice race is at 2:15 p.m.; the Novice Race is at 2:45 p.m.; the Open Race is at 3:15 p.m.; and the Foxhunter’s Race closes out the day at 3:45 p.m. Visitors are invited to purchase $10 raffle tickets for chances on prizes that range from artwork and restaurant gift cards to tickets for other horse events including Devon Horse Show box seats. The Presenting Sponsor of the Brandywine Hills Point to Point races is the Radnor Hunt Foxhunters & The Hounds Foun- dation. Food is available on-site for purchase from Saloon 151. The H.E. Myrick Conserva- tion Center is the headquarters of the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance (BRC). A private prop- erty that is open to the public during daylight hours, the center is in Pocopson Township along Route 842, six miles west of West Chester and three miles east of Unionville. The event raises funds for the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance, which promotes restoration, conservation and en- joyment of the natural resources of the Brandywine and Red Clay watersheds. General admission parking is $25, with preferred parking near the finish line for riders, owners and trainers. Sponsor- ships are available online at www.brandywineredclay.org or by calling the BRC Office at 610- 793-1090. Please submit your events to steph@eastcoastequestrian.net Please provide event name, location, city, state and contact information for inclusion at no cost in our calendar. Attention Event Organizers!