Most casual attendees—aka, the non-horsey set—of springtime’s annual Maryland Hunt Cup probably don’t realize that steeplechasing continues through the summer and fall with stops in the South, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, before concluding in November with the Colonial Cup in South Carolina. Two weeks earlier comes the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup, a grueling 4-mile jump race over 22 fences on “fair hunting country,” meaning, in effect, undulating, undoctored rural terrain. Cup Day also functions as a festive fall fling, boasting a bevy of events, including a carriage parade, a parade of Cheshire hounds and several horse-related contests, notably a side-saddle race and the Pony Hunt Cup for junior riders. Separately, under cover of a huge tent, vendors sell jewelry, art, clothing, horse tack and, curiously, items from local alpaca farms, not forgetting food and non-alcoholic beverages. Many people tailgate, bringing their own picnics and drinks, and various local charities,principally the Chester County Food Bank, benefit from the proceedings. “It’s an exciting and fun-filled day of steeplechase racing and shopping for a great cause,” says Executive Director Kathee Rengert. Nov. 6 in Unionville, Pa., a 90-minute drive from Baltimore. General admission: $50 per car. pahuntcup.org
