2024 Green Spring Valley Point to Point Races at Shawan Downs

The Green Spring Point to Point is the first of a series of steeplechase meets each year. It occurs on an old farm that only became a steeplechase course and training center, now known as >>> Shawan Downs <<<, around 2002. This year it was held on March 31, Easter Sunday. I was lucky enough to be in town for the holiday and able to see three of the races for the first time in several years. There are eight total races, beginning with pony races, heavy timber races in the mid-day, and finishing with a flat race.

Looking through the previous winners of the pony races shows a list of future riders in recent steeplechases, including Elizabeth Scully and Teddy Davies who rode in the 2024 Hunt Cup.

Shawan Downs has the distinction of possessing the most photogenic fence in Maryland Steeplechasing. Standing safely by a tree just past the fence that is the fourth and thirteenth hurdle in the timber races affords one of the cleanest views of all the races. Looking slightly up hill, with only a few tree tops behind allows for images with the horses highlighted against a bright spring sky with no background distractions.

Worthington Bowl