2024 127th Running of the Maryland Hunt Cup
Respect and reverence.
Phones do not work at the steeplechases. It is one of the wonderful factors making the races a truly connected - human - event. People stand in fields, rain or shine, and watch a century plus old race take place in fields that look as they did in the 90s…the 1890s. They talk, walking from tailgate to tailgate meeting up with old and new friends, and generally are forced to disconnect from the electronic world. We would all benefit from more of that I am certain.
The Maryland Hunt Cup is a special race. Four miles over twenty-two fences ranging from just under three feet tall to a stunning near five foot height. A tradition begun in 1894, when Grover Cleveland was President, Coca-Cola was first bottled, and the Hershey company was founded. Interrupted only by World War II and Covid, it as solid an American tradition as any other, with a worldwide following among equestrian enthusiasts.
The riders, past and present, have great respect for the event, the course, and its tradition. Stewards and patrol judges wear ties, and while the spectators enjoy themselves, the volunteers working the course take everything very seriously as steeplechases are a dangerous endeavor for horse, rider, and inattentive bystanders. There is a reverence for the history, the participants, and a love of it all that seems to be steeped into the event in ways that are hard to describe.
There is a quiet solemnity to the barn and stables prior to the race. The stables are about two miles from the start, necessitating an ever roving band of four wheelers ferrying jockeys, but build a solid buffer between the serious preparation for the race and the fun-loving tailgaters in the fields.
This year it rained about two hours before post time, but the event is an all-weather affair with rain jackets worn over tweed sportcoats and few complaints. Jockeys, owners, and trainers quietly gather in small groups, talk about the course, the conditions, the horses, or entirely different subjects as the start time steadily grinds closer.
All the horses are walked around and checked by vets. The animals are ready to race, and some have companion animals such as Fernando the donkey.
In addition to the semi-formal wear of many volunteers, owners, and spectators, the half-dozen plus Mounted Patrol team helps monitor the crowd, but mostly corrals wayward horses whose riders take leave of their saddle during the race. The elegance of the black and scarlet jackets against white breeches and tall boots is a critical part of the stunning scenery as the newly greening spring grass is.
Another great tradition of the Hunt Cup is to walk the course. It is a long circle across the great expanse of ankle high grass, over the fences, but always in sight of the great hill to the North at all times. Some that make the trek are former jockeys themselves, reliving past days with their friends and family.
Weigh-ins, Pre-Race Meetings for Officials, photo opportunities, and instructions for the jockeys. Even for veterans of the event, there are always new items and questions.
Photographer Douglass Lees has been shooting the Hunt Cup for over fifty years, fifty-five I believe. He was profiled in The Piedmont Virginian several years ago, and has been an institution on the field, and front and center for every trophy award. His work can be found across the internet, with some spectacular shots (#1, #2) that have been an inspiration to me as I have studied past work of steeplechase photographers.
The image to the right is from 1971 and one of my favorite steeplechase photos. The perfectly centered leap over what I believe to be the Hunt Cup 13th with the casual gentleman wearing a tie and sitting astride the fence in his loafers only six feet away (I can assure the race organizers would not allow that today!).
I have seen him at most every race, unending in his enthusiasm for the sport and capturing the moment. He can often be found setting up remotes at critical jumps. The first time I encountered Mr. Lees was at the Manor Races in 2019 where I, in my complete ignorance, was in the foreground of the trophy presentation. “Get out of the way,” I learned quickly!
Several years later, at the spot pictured below, just past the third, I introduced myself. “Mr. Black & White,” he said to me. I took it as a high compliment he had seen my work, and I know he shot black and white himself for many, many years after color film was available.
Also pictured from Saturday are other photographers setting up between the 3rd / 13th after instruction from the patrol judge. Jim Graham, behind Douglass and looking straight my way, has also been exceptionally kind to me through the years.
4:00 Post Time | The Race Begins
The 2024 Hunt Cup started fast, with Vintage Vinnie in the early lead, seeking the horse’s third win on the course. In 2021, Vintage Vinnie set a course record with Dan Levin riding in the Hunt Cup for the first time, stunning the crowd with a huge gap at the finish. Vintage Vinnie returned in 2022 to win again, with Teddy Davies the jockey, the youngest of the racers that day two years ago.
The pace at the start was quick, one jockey later telling me it was the fastest he’d ever been over timber. The height of the horses and riders over the third was staggering, many out of the camera frame as they hurdled over the fence to land twenty feet on the other side. Mr. Fine Threads stumbled on the landing, and the jockey Andrew Burke Ott, was dismounted. The pack took off, and I ran from the 3rd back to the 12th to wait for the next lap.
The Twelfth Fence, four foot eight inches tall, is a tall hurdle. Vintage Vinnie retained the lead going over the fence, closely followed by Blackhall. #8, Royal Ruse, ridden by Elizabeth Scully, caught the rails and broke through the fence.
One of the closest finishes in recent history. Four horses battled it out for the win: Blackhall, Shootist, Goodoldtimes, and Vintage Vinnie. Blackhall crossed the wire first, with Charlie Marshall raising his arm in victory to a cheering crowd.
Before the weigh in, the first stop is the most important. A victorious embrace between Charlie and his fiancé at the finish before the crowd descended, steam rising from Blackhall who looks on quietly after winning one of the world’s great horse races.
