Cheshire

People who stayed home from the Cheshire Point-to-Point Races because of the cloudy sky and the 47-degree temperature on Sunday morning made a really regrettable decision. By 1 p.m. the temperature started rising toward 60, the sun broke through and it turned into a beautiful afternoon at Plantation Field.
The inclement weather of the morning even gave a member of our party a chance to display her hunt-field hardiness. Yes, she admitted, it was certainly chilly, but at least there were no hornets buzzing around the trash cans! And one of the jockeys told me the weather and the footing were perfect for racing.
The jockeys are without a doubt the rock stars of the day. A friend said that seeing them getting ready for the race reminded him of watching astronauts walking to their rocket before a space shot: "Oh! Look! Is that one of them?"
I loved seeing the adorable kids on their ponies in the first two races. One little boy crossed the finish line but then started leaning precariously in his saddle, tilting a little further with each stride. Fortunately an outrider was right there to help him.
It was the first steeplechase for one friend of mine, and she was thrilled at how the spectators are right there on the course. (In fact, the outriders have quite a job keeping people out of harm's way.) I heard from her afterwards and she was exhausted from both following the action on the racecourse and wandering from one tailgate party to the next. (Props to Hood's in Unionville for some excellent subs and the best macaroni salad I've ever had.)
Great job by the entire race committee for organizing this lovely event.