March 30th, 2010
Green Spring Point-to-Point Races, Shawan Downs, Cockeysville, Maryland, Steeplechasing, Event, Southsides, Berger Cookies
This post on my blog is completely away from my beaches. It is the second time I have attended the Greeen Spring Point-to-Point races. Last year the weather was not good but we enjoyed it anyway. Last Saturday, a chilly day, but off I went with Shelley to meet Susie, Peggy and Betsy in Maryland.
From the beaches we brought crabmeat and Fisher’s Popcorn. Upon arriving at Shawan Downs which is in Cockeysville, Maryland I forgot how hilly the Maryland countryside is. After being in Delaware, which is such a flat state, I was getting butterflies in my stomach as I was going up and down the hills. But, it really was a beautiful day.
This was the 9th annual running of the Green Spring Valley Point-to-Point. There were pony races, a junior and senior field master’s, chase and timber races. A post race reception was held under the tent. The proceeds from the event were to benefit the Green Spring Valley Hounds.
We were all bundled up and it was so much fun to get together with these women. They all knew a lot about steeplechasing; I did not, but nevertheless I got into the excitement of each race.
The point-to-point was held at Shawan Downs on 1401 Shawan Road, Cockeysville, Md. The website is http://www.shawandowns.org.
Shawan Downs, is located in Northern Baltimore County. It is a premier equestrian center, featuring a state of the art steeplechase course. It is situated on 300 acres of what used to be farmland in Cockeysville. Established by the Land Preservation Trust, Shawan Downs was founded to preserve the landscape’s agricultural legacy while building a new tradition of equestrian events that benefit local charities. No new residential development will be allowed.
Point-toPoint races originated in England in the 19th century, just like they did in the United States. The purpose was to keep hunters fit and were first called hunt races.
In the U.S. the races were mainly in the fox-hunting country along the Atlantic Coast. The governing body is the National Steeplechase and Hunt Association.
Of course, spending the day outdoors will make anyone thirsty and hungry. We had champagne, and wine, and, we actually had a lot of food with us, including an Asian Noodle Salad, cheeses, the crabmeat and popcorn above mentioned and the Maryland cookies called Berger cookies.
Berger Cookies are a local delicacy. They are yellow cakey cookies with a thick layer of fudge on top. In 1835 two brother named George and Henry Berger arrived in the U.S. from Germany. Henry was a baker and live in East Baltimore. He had 3 sons. Each of them opened their own little bakery. The bakery grew from its modest roots to the most recognized cookie in the Maryland region; same recipe with a few minor adjustments. You can find the Berger cookies at the Lexington Market where there is a location across from Polock Johnny’s and at Royal Farm Stores and probably, at Giant, as well.
Between races we people watched and enjoyed all the dogs and puppies playing around.
A group of young men and women had their table set up with flowers, deviled eggs, shrimp and a drink that I had never heard of called Southside. A conversation started regarding the origins of this drink. This drink was almost exclusively served once at private clubs but it is been public for quite some time. Some of the more recognized bartenders at the Elkridge Club and Green Spring Valley Hunt Club, in Maryland, probably started making it over 40 years ago. It is made with mint, citrus juices and a few of their own secrets.
The secret to a perfect Southside is that it should be gorgeous, silky and refreshing and you can only obtain this by pulverizing the entire mint, cutting stems as well as leaves. The stems have the flavor. That’s the secret!!
Note: Information for this post was taken from: http://shawandowns.org, http://articles.baltimoresun.com, http://bergercookies.com, and www.britannia.com.
Great day spent with friends….what could be better? Watching a few spectators of the canine kind….
Tags: Activities, Berger Cookies, Cockeysville, Events, Green Spring Valley Point to Point, Maryland, Maryland's Countryside, Point to Point Races, Shawan Downs, Southside, Steeplechasing
great blog