The Brandywine Hills Point-to-Point, now in its 80th year, defied unsavory weather predictions on Saturday and showcased the flurry of popular equestrian events that come around every spring to the Chester County region.

“The weatherman was good to us,” Point-to-Point co-chairman Bunny Meister said. He was referring to the rain showers that hovered until shortly after noontime, graciously yielding to warmth and blue skies for the entire afternoon. A ferocious storm returned during the early evening.

Meister added that he was also happy that things went well: The races were close and well run, the side-saddle race was especially pleasing, the visitors seemed happy to see their friends after the winter, and no one was injured.

The Point-to-Point offers its guests more than a series of horse races. There were children’s events, refreshments, raffles, prizes and the simple pleasures of meeting old colleagues to catch up on news.

The afternoon of events began at noon under light rain with races for young riders under 16 years old on ponies small, medium and large.

The youth races were followed by an interlude of entertainment that included children’s leadline races, stick-pony children’s races (that were actually on inflatable toy ponies this year) and a visit by the hounds of Radnor Hunt – a major sponsor for the day.

The serious running, including a women’s side saddle race, followed up and down hills, through the woods, across fields and over gates. As the riders traversed the course, their progress was announced to the crowd from the tower at the finish line.

The Brandywine Hills Point to Point takes place on the rambling acreage of the Myrick Conservation Center along Route 842 in Pocopson. This 328-acre woodland, field and business headquarters plays host to camps, birdwatching, nature lectures and sunflowers throughout the year.

A dedicated committee led by Meister and Amber West Buller attends to their particular tasks, working from the preceding September through the days just past the event.

Meister said, “We have good people. Everyone knows what to do.”

They are so good, in fact, that Meister doesn’t even lose any sleep the night before.

But there is much to do.

Early on, they have to do the administrative chores like sending out invitations, handling the registrations and securing the insurance. They must acquire interesting objects for raffles.

They attend to the safety from beginning to end, making sure of the safe comings and goings with traffic control, an ambulance and even a physician on scene.

Another 20-or-so hours out of the year are spent on the course: checking the jumps, filling in gopher holes and inspecting the run. 

Meister said, for instance, he is aware that one thing which must be attended to for next year is some trees whose roots have grown out onto the ground where the horses might be in danger of tripping.

The Brandywine Hills Point-to-Point was preceded this year by the Cheshire Hunt Races in Unionville on March 26, and will be followed by the Winterthur Point-to-Point on May 7 and Willowdale Steeplechase on May 13.

The winners of Saturday’s races are the following:

Small pony - Cami Kern on Hoof Hearted

Medium pony - Abby Taylor on Spur of the Moment

Large pony - Calliope Crawford on Oaks Bridget

Lead pony line - Mauuel Aguilea on Thumper

Junior Field Master - Carly Kern on Manero

Ladies’ Race - Virginia Korrell on Hill Tie

Amateur Apprentice - Conor Tierney on Withoutmoreado

Novice - Freddie Proctor on Stolen Shoes

The Open - Teddy Davies on Our Friend

Side Saddle - Lauren Apple on My Silver Belle.