Virginia Point-to-Point Association

Don Yovanovich, president of the Virginia Point-to-Point Association has proposed the establishment of an Annual Giving Fund. In a letter to hunt supporters, Yovanovich explains that for a variety of reasons, the hunt point-to-points are threatened to the extent that the Virginia season is now reduced to eight race meetings, down from fourteen not long ago. As reasons, Yovanovich cites a decrease in participation, overlapping meets scheduled by the National Steeplechase Association, and increased training expenses. However, the main difficulty lies in lost revenue he says. Despite the fact that the Association now covers some of the heavy expenses—rental of fences, horse ambulance, and video and finish line cameras—if costs aren’t fully offset by revenues, hunts are billed by the Association for their portion of the shortfall. Hunts are often unable to discharge this obligation, and some hunts have given up altogether, citing the effort and expenses involved. Yovanovich hopes that, as the point-to-point season approaches, and sportsmen and woman once again look forward to attending the races and tailgating with friends, they will open their wallets to help protect this colorful and important part of our sporting year. “The Virginia Point-to-Point season is one of a kind,” writes Yovanovich. “It is the envy of other states. It is a significant part of our history, our culture, and our future….To let the sport perish would be a real tragedy.” As a goal, the Association seeks to achieve one hundred percent participation from the individual members of every hunt. Yovanovich characterizes these donations as the life blood of the sport going forward. Contributions may be mailed to the Virginia Point-to-Point Association, Inc., Don Yovanovich, President, PO Box 1877, Middleburg, VA 20118. Contributors should include their hunt affiliation. Posted February 24, 2014

William Pinkney Wetherall, Jr., foxhunter, race rider, and racing official died at the Winchester Medical Center in Virginia on Monday, September 12 at the age of seventy-seven. Bill was an excellent horseman and all-around athlete. He set a long-standing record in the hurdles at Episcopal High School, then attended Princeton University and Virginia Tech. Bill was well-known throughout the Virginia point-to-point circuit as a race organizer and racing official. He was Secretary-Treasurer of the Virginia Point-to-Point Association and was awarded the Masters Prize and the Yves Henry Lifetime Achievement Award from that organization. He served as chairman of the Blue Ridge Hunt Point-to-Point races for many years. Bill’s mother, Sybilla “Billie” Greenhalgh, was one of the best-loved Field Masters in Blue Ridge’s long history. Bill did the early training on one of her horses that won the Gold Cup and upon which she led the field for many years. One of his proudest memories was being asked by Alexander Mackay-Smith, MFH to be a whipper-in for the Blue Ridge Hunt. Bill was only in his teens at the time. He was awarded his colors, and he whipped-in to the pack for many seasons. A graveside service will be held at Old Chapel near Millwood, Virginia on Friday, September 16 at 3:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Steeplechase Injured Jockey’s Fund and to the Virginia Point-to-Point Association Hurdle Fund, both c/o Don Yovanovich, PO Box 1877, Middleburg, VA 20118. Posted September 15, 2011