A Beautiful Day at the Races Helps Families of the Fallen
Story and photos by wib middleton
The day is blue sky perfect , sunny with a light breeze , and the sweet scent of freshly mown grass . The undulating pastures of Montevideo ’ s Bittersweet Field in Montgomery County ’ s Agricultural Reserve is transformed for the spectacular Potomac Hunt Races , a much anticipated annual steeplechase event now in its 70th year . The vast pastoral expanse is home to the Seneca Valley Pony Club , due to the generosity of the Knight Kiplinger family who owns the historic property and who are major sponsors of the event as well .
Steeplechase racing can be traced to mid 18th century in Ireland . Church steeples were the most visually prominent structures in rural villages , and riders would race their steeds steeple to steeple , skillfully jumping over ditches and hedges and powering through streams . Some 80 years later in the United Kingdom steeplechasing , with new rules and regulations , took hold and soon after was popularized with the first official race in the U . S . in 1864 .
The magnificent power of horse and rider racing full throttle over stretches of rolling pastureland , then sailing over hedges and wood fence barriers with graceful intensity , is breathtaking to behold . The pure athleticism and precise timing that brings a thrill a minute is no easy undertaking . Racers have to be in top physical condition , as do their horses . Upper body strength , balance , agility , ability to move fast and stay in control , to read the field , hold back or surge forward is all part of the strategy and split second decisions that make up a champion rider and horse .
Prepping for race day among the diehard lovers and spectators of the sport can also mean donning fun and fancy finery that goes with the event — colorful sundresses with big frilly hats for the gals , tweeds and vests for the guys .
Along the race rails and leading up to the grandstand and lookout tower are dozens of pop-up tents that seem to go on forever . Sponsors of these coveted rail spaces are the patrons who ponied up ( sorry ) for their prime spot . This is like being courtside at a Wizard ’ s game ! The action is right there as riders and horses thunder by to excited cheers and shouting . Inside the tents , often decorated with racing themes , an array of foods and libations are set out for the day long festivities . And for first-time race goers there are plenty of food trucks to visit and an entire vendor area to peruse .
What hopefully never gets lost on those gathered is another important aspect of the Hunt Races — the charitable organization that is the beneficiary of the event . For ten years running , TAPS , which stands Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors , has been that beneficiary . Founded in 1994 the mission of TAPS is “ providing compassionate care and comprehensive resources for all those grieving the death of a military or veteran loved one .”
This part of the Potomac Hunt story is all about two selfless women , both of whom lost a loved one in the service to their country . Beverley Bosselmann has been the talented chairperson of the Potomac Hunt Race for the last 24 years . She and her husband Rainer lost their son Kirk , a corporal in the Marine Corps , in Iraq in 2004 . Bonnie Carroll , founder and president of TAPS , is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom , a retired US Air Force Reserve Officer , and the surviving spouse of Brigadier General Tom Carroll , who lost his life in a military plane crash in 1992 . Since 1994 , TAPS has created a loving and caring refuge to well over 100,000 surviving military family members who have lost loved ones to combat , accidents , suicide , illness , training , and other causes . TAPS has evolved , working hand in hand with all military branches , from a small group of concerned widows into the leading organization serving bereaved military families nationwide .
Ten years ago local caterer and entrepreneur , Josh Carin , introduced Beverley and Bonnie to each
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