What a wild spring! Mother Nature's seemingly determined spells of rain, thunderstorms, gusting winds, humidity, extreme high and low temperatures couldn't dim the brilliant racing at Middleburg Hunt Point-to-point and Virginia Gold Cup. The final two local spring race meets are similar but different. Middleburg PTP is a traditional fund-raiser and community sporting event. Gold Cup Races are run under NSA rules and award prize money. It's a sure bet either way: exciting action, al fresco party, gorgeous Thoroughbreds.

On Sunday, May 1, Middleburg Hunt welcomed enthusiasts to Glenwood Park with its spectacular setting of the racecourse in a bowl-shaped expanse with views extending westward to the distant mudgy sprawl of Blue Ridge Mountains. It's beyond beautiful and, honestly, you don't have to know anything about horses or racing to enjoy great scenery and socializing. As wet as it was earlier, Ma Nature allowed the day to get a bit nicer, which added to the enjoyment.

The Middleburg Bowl Open Timber is the prestigious highlight of Middleburg PTP's race card; for five-year-olds and up, running over a three-mile course. Four horses started and placed, with an exciting stretch duel between two horses, both in training with Todd Wyatt (Monkton, Md.). Be Counted, owned by Peter A. Jay and Sarah M. Jay, led the way, tracked by stablemate Lonely Weekend. After jumping the final fence in sync, the two horses thundered down the hill and around the turn to the long and somewhat uphill run to the wire. Thrilling and very close finish: Be Counted by a determined nose over Lonely Weekend. It will be interesting to see what happens should they meet again under starter's orders.

In the Maiden Timber, five started and the only two to finish almost followed the horse disqualified for going off course. Fortunately, the riders of Overdrawn and Night Sounds reacted quickly to correct their horses. Once back on track, the horses raced for the finish, but Overdrawn went into overdrive, winning by a huge margin. Trainer Neil Morris saddled two flat winners: La Hara with Parker Hendriks in Novice Rider Flat and In Effect, ridden by Gerald Galligan in the Open Flat.

Trainers based at Fair Hill (Md.) had a good day at Glenwood. Niall Saville saddled the winner of both divisions of the Samuel E. Bogley Memorial Maiden Flat: Sunnyvale Farm's Bay B and Freya Gerlach's Boppin Road with Thomas Garner in the irons for both victories. Trainer Keri Brion (recent Eclipse Award with The Mean Queen) and jockey Parker Hendriks earned the Maiden Hurdle win with Pleasecallmeback, owned by Upland Flats Racing (Tn.). It was a congenial meet featuring some up-and-coming stars.

The Virginia Gold Cup Races at Great Meadow on Saturday, May 7, drew intrepid racing fans despite rain, wind and cold temperatures. Some were totally into celebrating "Spring at Gold Cup" and arrived attired in garden party regalia complete with fascinators and stilettos. Yet others wore layer, looking prepared and even cozy in waterproof outerwear, head to toe. The weather might have been wet and dreary, but the racing was amazing as top NSA trainers Leslie Young and Keri Brion dominated the results of all seven races.

Brion, relatively new head trainer and already an Eclipse winner, sent out four winners. Buttonwood Farm's Baltimore Kid (IRE), Parker Hendriks in the irons, won his first outing in Maiden Special Weights Hurdle. She saddled her second winner in the Schwab Hurdle (four-year-olds and up, which never won two races) in which Irvin Naylor's Howyabud (IRE) and Hendriks crossed the finish first by 10-plus lengths.

The second-ever career outing for LJay (IRE) and Mikey Hamill earned Brion's third win on the Gold Cup card when the young duo prevailed by one-length in the hotly contested $50,000 Sport of Kings Hurdle Stakes. Brion and everyone associated with her earned boasting rights with their fourth victory on Gold Cup Day when Sa'ad (FR), Hendriks in the plate, made it a sure one-length win over Naylor's Fearsome (GB) in the card's finale, $50,000 VEA, VHBPA, and VTA Flat stakes, 1½ miles on turf.

It's a battle of the best in the NSA Trainer standings with Leslie Young in the top slot for both wins and money won, then Keri Brion, and legendary multiple title holder Jack Fisher in third place… This is great for racing because there is room at the top for more of the best. They are great ambassadors for horses and racing and rural traditions.

Young's three winners ran in three different jumping races over Great Meadow's hallowed course, which showcased her talents and versatility as a trainer. Silverton Hill's Bodes Well (IRE) won the $30,000 Steeplethon (in honor of the late Speedy Smithwick); a mixed bag of jumps that requires a very special racehorse. Sharon Sheppard's Redicean (GB) in the $75,000 Hurdle Stakes, both horses ridden by Thomas Garner. To top off her day, Young witnessed the ultimate comeback of Ballybristol Farm's Andi'amu (IRE), previous Gold Cup winner and timber champion, who spent 20 months recovering from a tendon injury Piloted by Freddie Proctor, Andi'amu finished 23½ lengths ahead of Schoodic for an epic win in the $100,000 Gold Cup Timber Stakes.

The stars have been out all spring. If you weren't at races, PTP or NSA-sanctioned races and-or you would like to refresh your memory, you can enjoy NSA's video archives at national-steeplechase.com — it's the next best thing to being there.