Celebrate spring races and our open spaces
What a fortunate coincidence that National Ag Week, National Agricultural Literacy Week and the spring Point to Point race season all converge to illustrate the agricultural mission part of our Rappahannock County Comprehensive Plan.
The foxhunting world, which includes the hunt spring races, is a special place full of excitement and certainly not restricted to the very rich. A decent riding ability and a sure-footed horse, some knowledge of hunting intricacies and courtesies, a willingness to learn, plus an invitation by a hunt’s master, are the real necessities.
There’s something about it, the sociability, getting up on a crisp morning and grooming an alert horse in anticipation of the day’s meet. Then it’s the glory of coursing through twisting trails, over hills and trappy territory.
Some hunts have social memberships where nonriding members can participate in the multitude of activities that occur year round, learning the vast ways foxhunters focus on their agricultural and ecological environment in our county. Grandparents can introduce
grandchildren to these healthy outdoor activities. Parents with young children moving into the county can participate in the fun. Some hunts have second and third generations riding and learning the responsible partnership with animals and nature.
How to start? Our library has books by Rita Mae Brown featuring Hunt Master “Sister” Jane. Each has fascinating descriptions of foxhunting terms and characters woven into her stories.
Old Dominion Hounds has its spring Point to Point races Saturday, April 6, starting at noon at Ben Venue, just off Route 211. Take some friends with a tailgate picnic, buy programs which explain the day and mix with fellow racegoers to learn more about this grand, healthy, outdoor life, another reason to support agricultural activities that give our beloved county the vast open spaces emphasized in its Comprehensive Plan.
Celebrate agricultural recognitions and explore the possibilities that await your participation here. Sheila Gresinger Washington