Horses vault the stone wall at last year’s Brandywine Hills Point-to-Point.
With spring in Chester County comes the local fox hunting tradition and point-to-point races, where Brandywine Hills stands out for its more intimate, kid-friendly event.
For 2020, the Brandywine Hills Point-to-Point will take place on Sunday, April 5, at the Myrick Center in Pocopson Township. An expanded slate of activities for youth includes metal pounding with renowned jewelry artist, Hattie Weselyk, a “pennies in the hay” game, Lenape Indian lore activities, mural painting, a photo station, and more.
A smaller venue makes it easier to get to the various event elements, connect with neighbors, and keep track of the youngsters. But the intimate setting doesn’t mean inferior racing, as many of the horses use the competition as a preparation for the ultimate race, the Maryland Cup.
Gates open at 11 a.m., adult races start at noon and traverse 318-acres of stunning Chester County scenery vaulting as many as 17 jumps on the course. During a break around 1 p.m., there is a parade of the Radnor Hunt Club’s hounds, always a crowd-pleaser. During the day, younger riders compete in pony races and stick pony races for kids as young as three.
Local resident, Kara Bovard describes the event, “The Point-to-Point is the first outdoor event of the year signaling spring has arrived! The excitement of the races, socializing with our neighbors and spending time at one of our favorite places (Myrick Center), is so much fun!”
This point-to-point is the oldest in the Delaware Valley, and proceeds benefit the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance environmental education and watershed conservation programs. Preferred parking near the finish line costs $50, and general admission parking is $20 per car.
Refreshments are available for sale from Saloon 151 and visitors are encouraged to purchase
raffle tickets for a chance to win artwork by Bill Ewing, trips to Ireland and St. Maarten, and box seat tickets to the Devon Horse Show.
The sponsors of the Brandywine Hills Point to Point are Bartlett Tree Experts, Capital & Security Management Inc., James A. Cochrane Inc.-Realtor, Stephen J. Devine-Esquire, J. Clifton Edgar, Mrs. Roy Feldman in memory of Dr. Roy S. Feldman, J. Gallagher Septic and Wastewater Control Inc., Helen Groves, Sally Hagele & Hank Lloyd, The Harman Group, Herr’s Foods Inc., Jim & Diana Perella, R. Phillips Service LLC, Radnor Hunt Foxhunters & The Hounds Foundation, Dr. & Mrs. Donald J. Rosato, Lisa Samuel, Mr. & Mrs. John Swayne, Sycamore Racing, Margot Mohr Teeter-Remax, Mr. & Mrs. Gary Warzecha and The Whip Tavern.
The H.E. Myrick Conservation Center is the headquarters of the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance (BRC). A private property open to the public during daylight hours, the 318-acre Center is located in Pocopson Township along Route 842, six miles west of West Chester and three miles east of Unionville.
