VIRGINIA GOLD CUP ACCEPTING
Submitted by: Renee Brohard Phone: 540-687-5144 Email Address: renee(at)bendurepr.com
Date Added: 4/13/2005
WARRENTON, VA -- The Virginia Gold Cup will once again feature the Virginia Gold Cup Junior Field Master Chase to be held on Saturday, May 7 at Great Meadow in The Plains, VA. Trophies will be presented to riders in divisions for small and large ponies and junior horses. The race is sponsored by Watson Wyatt Worldwide.
A long-standing Virginia tradition, the Gold Cup Pony Races (the Junior Field Master Chase) gives young riders a chance to demonstrate their riding skills before large race crowds, an experience especially important to riders who may be planning to make race riding a career. The pony races, which at one time were strictly flat races, have been modified to include obstacles and the name of the race has been changed to reflect this.
The Chase is open to junior riders on ponies or horses that are five-years-old and up and that have fairly hunted with any foxhunting or beagle pack or pony club. Riders are to follow the Field Master at a hunting pace over a flagged course not to exceed two miles and no less than one mile and one half, with obstacles no more than three feet in height. At a designated place the Field Master will release the field to race for the finish. Riders must wear racing silks or appropriate hunting attire and a hard hat with chin strap. The races are run at catch weights and riders cannot have reached their 18th birthday as of Jan. 1, 2005. Participants must have the written consent of their parents to compete.
Entries will be accepted until Monday, May 2 by the Central Entry Office. For more information, call the Central Entry Office at 703-777-2575 or contact Jim Lawrence, race day coordinator, at 540-364-2420.
The Virginia Gold Cup event is located just 45 minutes west of Washington, DC and is in close proximity to Dulles International Airport. To get there from Washington, DC, take I-66 west to The Plains exit. Turn left at the end of the ramp onto The Plains Road (Route 245 south), follow signs to The Great Meadow Events Center which will be on your left. Call 540-347-1215 for additional information or visit the web site at www.vagoldcup.com.
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