Alex and Silver are taking part in the Pony Races at Shawan Downs in Maryland. Pony Races are run on the same day as regular, large horse steeplechaes, also called point-to-points. The term "point-to-point" comes from how the races originated in England. Riders would challenge each other to races through villages, over hill and dale, the starting point being a church in one town, and the finish line at a church in another town. The "point" refers to the top of the church steeple, which was often the only "map" a rider would have. The Pony Races are open to amateur riders, under the age of 16, on ponies. All ponies must be a minimum of 5 years old. Riders follow the Field Master over a flagged course which is about 2 miles of fair hunting country (meaning the land and obstacles are similar to what the rider might encounter on a fox hunt). After the last fence, the Field Master will release the field to race for the finish line. Riders are encouraged to wear racing silks to represent their stable colors. The races are separated into small, medium and large ponies.
* Do you know why some steeple chases are called "timber races?"
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