'Jump' - Century of Tradition: Old Dominion Hounds Marks 100 Years & NSA's Top 20 Jump Horses, Abaan Soaring up the Rankings!
'Jump' - Century of Tradition: Old Dominion Hounds Marks 100 Years & NSA's Top 20 Jump Horses, Abaan Soaring up the Rankings!
Friday April 5th, Edition #23
In Case You Missed It: This Weekends Top 5 USA Jump Racing Stories
Contents
Weekend Preview - Old Dominion Hounds celebrates 100 years
Saturday’s Entries - The Old Dominion Hounds Point to Point
Brandywine Hills Point to Point - April 7th - Leading Jockey Award Created
NSA Top 20 Horses - Abaan leaps to the 7th spot, while West Newtown secures the 12th.
Willowdale Steeplechase - May 11th - Founder of Willowdale Steeplechase, Dixon Stroud
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The Old Dominion Hounds Point to Point
Canyon Road competes in the 2018 point-to-point races at Ben Venue.
File photo by Betsy Burke Parker
By Betsy Burke Parker — Special to the Rappahannock News
Old Dominion Hounds marks one of its biggest events on April 6 in the biggest year since it was founded in1924 at a kennel near Flint Hill — the Old Dominion Point-to-Point Saturday at historic Ben Venue Farm in Washington. The annual steeplechase is a highlight of the centennial celebration of one of the area’s oldest continuous organizations.
Post time is noon for the first of eight carded races. More than $80,000 in purses and National Steeplechase Association (NSA) sanctioning highlight the program. Two $30,000 maiden hurdle races and a $20,000 allowance timber headline the event, with Virginia Steeplechase Association series events rounding out the day.
Old Dominion Hounds’ founding master Sterling Larrabee had previously been a joint-master of the Warrenton Hunt but created his own hunt in 1924.
The kennels moved to Orlean during World War II when Larrabee and joint-master Albert Hinckley went to Europe. The club territory has remained the same since its inception – 100 square miles between Orlean and Flint Hill.
Last year, Old Dominion offered a blended NSA and point-to-point program for the first time, part of a new fusion model linking the formerly amateur point-to-point circuit directly to the lucrative prize money of the national circuit.
“Old Dominion was the first Virginia race to try it out last year,” said Virginia Point-to-Point Foundation president Don Yovanovich. “It worked well – I mean, really, these were practically the same horses and the same horsemen (competing on both circuits) these days anyway.”
Race director and Old Dominion joint-master Debbie Welch said entries include American steeplechasing’s leading owners, trainers and jockeys, including the three most recent champion trainers and the four most recent champion riders.
National Steeplechase president and Marshall-based foxhunter Al Griffin called the new combination “a natural extension of the sport of steeplechase.”
“It makes sense to offer (races with purses) to attract owners and trainers to support the point-to-points, which are the grassroots circuit,” he said. “This way everybody wins – the horsemen, the race meets and, especially, the spectators, who get to see the best horses and the best riders at their local races.”
Read the full article at rappnews.com
Saturday’s Entries at The Old Dominion Hounds Point to Point
Brandywine Hills Point to Point
Leading Jockey Award
Brandywine Hills Point to Point are thrilled to announce that, thanks to the generous support from Ashwell Stables, the Point to Point races on Sunday April 7th will feature a special award. A $500 prize will be presented to the Leading Jockey based on their performance in today's events. The allocation of points will adhere to the Delaware Valley Point to Point conditions.
2024 NSA Top 20
Following a standout performance at the Carolina Cup this past weekend, Kate Dalton's Abaan climbed to 7th position in the NSA Top 20 rankings. Meanwhile, West Newton made a significant leap into 12th place following a victory at the Imperial Cup. At the top, Snap Decision, stretched his legs at a point to point flat race last weekend and I expect we will see him defend his crown at the Temple Gwathmey in three weeks.
Willowdale Steeplechase
The Tradition Continues, Willowdale Steeplechase
Founder of Willowdale Steeplechase, Dixon Stroud
Dixon Stroud, the visionary founder of Willowdale Steeplechase and once a jockey himself who won the Maryland Hunt Cup is left an indelible mark on Chester County's equestrian landscape. Inspired by a passion for both horse racing and land conservation, Stroud conceived the event in 1993 as a means to support the local Trust's preservation efforts. Through dedication and determination, he transformed a humble fundraiser into a beloved tradition. Willowdale Steeplechase, under Stroud's guidance, has blossomed into a premier event, blending thrilling races with a commitment to community and nature. Today, his legacy lives on, as Willowdale continues to unite horse enthusiasts and conservationists, honoring Stroud's enduring vision and love for the sport. Join us for race day, Mother’s Day weekend, Saturday May 11, 2024.
Tickets: willowdale.org
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