POINT-TO-POINT: The Cheshire races are coming up March 29

It's a really good thing that Jock Hannum and I had places to go after our Thursday-afternoon interview, because left to our own devices we would have just refilled our coffees and stayed at Foxy Loxy yacking until closing time. Jock and I were there to chat about the upcoming Cheshire Point-to-Point Races (of which he is chairman), but our conversation, as always, took intriguing tangents all over the place.
The short version is that this year's point-to-point, the 70th running, is being held on Sunday, March 29, in Unionville, on the property of Cuyler Walker and Katie Walker and Mr. and Mrs. Roger Elvin. Kirstie Grabosky is co-chair, Clipper LaMotte is vice chair, Franny Sharon is race course coordinator, Suzanne Kloud is in charge of hospitality, Doug Grabosky is the entry liaison, and Cindy Buchanan is the director of patrol judges and outriders. Greg and Caroline Bentley provided generous support for the ambulance and medical services provided by the Longwood Fire Company.
There is a new race this year, the Junior Field Master's Chase for riders less than 16 years of age. Bruce Miller will lead the riders over the first several fences and then will let them loose to race to the finish. The race is sponsored by Cindy and Richard Buchanan.
This year's Ladies' Race is being sponsored by Sanna and Kathy Neilson in memory of their mother, Nina Gill Stewart.
Jock has a brown briefcase devoted just to point-to-point materials and showed me the proofs of the race program that he and Wilmington photographer Jim Graham are putting together. On the cover is a photo of Mark Beecher on Grinding Speed, who won last year's Cheshire Bowl.
Now: about the weather. Jock said the weather at last year's races was the worst he could remember at a race meet in his entire life, with the miserable sleet, freezing rain and mud. By definition, therefore, the conditions will be better this year. I already have my parking pass.
For more information, visit cheshirepointtopoint.com