If galloping horses and a beautiful day in the country sound enticing, you may want to visit Morven Park Equestrian Center in Leesburg, VA for a day of family fun and steeplechase racing on Saturday, April 30th, for the North American Point-to-Point Association (NAPPA) and Country Fair. This year will mark the 5th running of this championship day of point-to-point racing. Attracting entries from all over the country, the Championship Day is a celebration of the relationship between fox-hunting and steeplechase racing. NAPPA is a 501c3 non-profit organization that was formed to help promote and perpetuate the sport of steeplechase racing by reuniting the foxhunting and jump racing communities. Originally, the sport of steeplechasing began when a man from one foxhunt challenged a man from another foxhunt to race from one church steeple to the next, so NAPPA founder Mason Lampton decided to try and take steeplechase racing back to it's foxhunting roots by creating a series of races that was "doable" for foxhunters. This was done in hopes of re-populating the jockey colony, which has dwindled to very low numbers in recent years.

Molly Bance

Molly Bance, of Virginia, is the perfect example of the success of NAPPA's mission. Bance, a regular follower of the Deep Run Hunt (Va.) entered the Jr Field Master's Chase race on her horse Brave Note with the encouragement of Master of Foxhounds Ginny Perin. In the Field Master's Chase contestants follow behind a leader known as the Field Master, who sets the race pace. After the Field Master clears the last jump, he shouts "Tally Ho" releasing the field to race to the finish on their own. With divisions for adults and juniors, this race teaches newcomers about race pace and how to ride safely on the racecourse. Bance easily won the junior division in 2004, and came back last year to dominate the adult division. "Wow! That was fun," Bance exclaimed after her last victory. "There were so many good horses in the race. When I saw who I was riding against, I didn't expect to win at all." She rode against stiff competition.

"When the field master let us go, I don't know what happened really," she said with a grin. "I put my hands down and just gunned it." But Bance had a secret weapon in her own Brave Note. Bred in Ireland, the gelding raced on the turf there and then in America, earning more than $500,000. Now that he has added jumping skills to his flat forum, Brave Note takes Bance to the trophy stand on a regular basis. A total of seven steeplechase and flat races will be run, one every half hour, starting at 12:30 pm. Future jockeys in training take up the reins in the first contest of the day, the Lead Line Trot Race. Western saddle or English saddle makes no difference here. All that matters are the beaming faces of the kids under seven wearing their own version of "jockey clothes." This race is a huge crowd pleaser and all participants walk away winners. Race day spectators will be treated to the sounds of a blue grass band while they picnic on Founders Hill, which offers a terrific view of the racecourse and country fair activities. Vendors and artisans will offer unique articles of clothing and works of art for sale and gourmet food available to purchase. Kids will enjoy their turn on the Moonbounce (which is free of charge) or checking out the animal exhibits, with miniature Sicilian donkeys and alpacas, just to name a few. Dog agility performances will also be held in between the races. This year's event will include a Build-Your-Own Stick Pony Booth, which will open promptly at 11:00 am. Children attending the races will be invited to create their own mount and then race it in the Stick Pony Dash at 1:40 pm. Spectators, horsie or non, will all enjoy the hilarious finale fundraiser race called The Beat Up Cup. Riders are generally "very retired", and some "slightly overweight", jockeys who race polo ponies _ mile on the flat. Their silks don't fit quite like they used to, but these old timers suit up none-the-less in whatever racing garb they can find in their attics that moths haven't eaten and race around the track for old times sake. Will O'Keefe, the official announcer, fills the day with more color by creating a special narrative for each rider as they gallop out of the paddock. General admission to the race day and country fair is only $10 per car at the gate with parking in a field adjacent to the racecourse. Admission price gets everyone in your car into the event. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic baskets, but please leave your pets at home. Picnic space on Founders Hill is on a first come first served basis, so get there early! Reserved Railside parking is also available for an additional fee by contacting the NAPPA office. The event will take place rain or shine and tickets are non-refundable.

For more information call 410-329-3749 and to learn more about NAPPA visit www.NAPTP.com or email info@NAPTP.com.