March in Virginia's Piedmont region tends to be weather's "wheel of fortune," but this year Mother Nature positively beamed on Warrenton Hunt Point to Point's season opener, at Airlie on March 16, with sun, blue skies, and brisk temps, but no unusual precipitation such as last year's snow that blew sideways. Warrenton launched the new season with a packed race card and outstanding racing. Talk about celebrating the rites of spring.

This being a jam-packed issue, please check out the photo pages, but here's a quick recap of the action. Bravos and bravas to local trainers and owners: Julie Gomena saddled two winners, Kinross Farm's Mutin (open hurdle) and Bon Nouvel Chasers LLC's Repeat Repeat (maiden hurdle). Neil Morris prepared winners Gold Braid (open hurdle) and Donna T. Rogers' Dapper Dan (VA Bred-Sired flat), and Kinross Farm's Jump to Juneau (novice timber).

The Viola T. Winmill Sidesaddle Chase Cup, about 1-1/2 miles on the flat, started a field of six Thoroughbreds, having qualified sidesaddle out hunting. Julia Nafe, who lives and hunts in Pennsylvania, piloted her Gun Lobby to a 2-length finish over Devon Zebrovious and King of Hearts. But here's what's most amazing: Gun Lobby is five, whereas King of Hearts is 19 years old — 19!!! Come on, people, take another look at Thoroughbred ex-racehorses, flat or jump, because this breed boasts incredible depth of athleticism and versatility. A Thoroughbred with a good mind is worth its weight a zillion times in gold, especially one that takes to hunting.

Piedmont Fox Hounds' Point to Point on March 23 provided another good day of racing action, even with the chilly wind. A huge shoutout of bravas and gratitude to Linda Cowasjee whose generous hospitality made my day simply grand (in spite of losing my hearing aid). Every year Linda hosts an amazing party that's like a village fete. Point-to-points are a great way to support the hosting hunt, and reserved tailgate spaces and general admission raise vital funds to help maintain their hounds and country. It's a win-win for all — fun al fresco party, whether or not you know anything about horses.

FYI: You don't have to be a member of a hunt to reserve your tailgate space. If you're new to racing, please see CentralEntryOffice.com and click the calendar tab where you'll find schedules and contact details for Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Valley race meets.

Piedmont's Salem course showcases timber racing, filling the rest of the car with flat and pony races. Pony racing is quite an entertaining spectacle, given the mischievous nature of ponies, and encourages young riders with hunting experience to experience racing on the flat. There are divisions for small, medium and large ponies, with a strong contingent of entries traveling from Maryland and Pennsylvania. Bravas to young Sydney Pemberton, who raced aside with Lynden's Sadie Hawkins, under the tutelage of Devon Zebrovious.

Local winners included Sam Cockburn, trainer and jockey for T & C Elite Sport Horses' Rocking Allen in the Foxhunter Timber. Kinross Farm's Pocket Talk (Ire) prevailed in the Lady Rider Timber with Annie Yaeger, Foxcroft School alumna, which makes her local even though she currently lives in Maryland. Tess Croce piloted Wykham View Stables' Smokin Caraquena to a solid win in the Maiden Flat that started 10. Neil Morris and owner Pathfinder Racing, Jacob Roberts in the irons, scored two decisive victories on the flat: Front Line Paige bested the 10-horse field in the open flat by five lengths and Talk Less finished first by six lengths in the VA Bred/Sired flat.

Orange County Hounds' PTP is Sunday, March 31, post time 1 pm on the Locust Hill Farm course on Zulla Road. Old Dominion Hounds' PTP runs on Saturday, April 6, at Ben Venue Farm, west on Rt 211 from town of Warrenton, with Loudoun Hunt Point to Point at Oatlands on Sunday, April 14. Glenwood Park sets the stage for the Middleburg Spring Races on Saturday, April 20, followed on Sunday by Blue Ridge Hunt PTP at Woodley Farm, Berryville. Middleburg Hunt takes place at Glenwood Park on April 28, followed by the Virginia Gold Cup at Great Meadow on Saturday, May 4, including live broadcast of the Kentucky Derby.

Please see the tribute in this issue to the late Shelley O'Higgins, who passed last summer after a lifetime devoted to hounds and hunting. Everyone who knew her is invited to Shelley's Celebration of Life tailgate party at the Old Dominion Point to Point on April 6, hosted on Huntsman's Hill by her sister Shawna O'Higgins. Bring your hunting horns and raise a joyful tantivy of "Gone Away" in Shelley's memory.