Nature can be fickle, especially during autumn and spring when weather can range from sunny and beach-balmy to soaking, bone-chilling rain, but on Saturday, October 12, it was good enough for the 65th running of the Virginia Fall Races and the annual Theodora A. Randolph Field Hunter Championship Finals, showcased brilliantly at Glenwood Park, a few minutes' drive from downtown Middleburg.

Glenwood Park is a magnificent 112-acre property that boasts a fieldstone grandstand overlooking the berm running the length of the historic racecourse's home stretch and then some. Spectators glimpse unbelievable vistas from all angles. The course is shaped like a huge bowl whose terrain rolls down, across, and up to a panoramic and majestic horizon where the Blue Ridge Mountains rise up to touch the sky.

This alfresco equestrian outing – horses, field hunters and more horses – is chock full of wholesome fun for kids of all ages, be they your family, friends, business associates, visiting in-laws or a combination thereof. Participating even as spectators just about guarantees that your entire party will most likely cozy into a great night's sleep. As stated, fun for kids of all ages.

Founded in 1989, the Theodora Randolph Field Hunter Championship Finals is a huge, prestigious competition that attracted 57 enthusiasts representing 28 packs from 11 states across the USA. During the previous week, contenders had to qualify for the finals. It's win-win and great fun: each entry fee included four days of riding to hounds with local packs: Middleburg Hunt, Bull Run