Wyatt, Bon Caddo Claim Big Win at Stormy My Lady's Manor

Die-hard horse enthusiasts braved strong winds and heavy rains over the weekend to watch rider Blair Wyatt and horse Bon Caddo seize victory in the title race at the century-old My Lady’s Manor Point-to-Point at the Ladew Topiary Gardens in Monkton.

Monkton native Chris Councill, decked out for the occasion in a dress shirt, tie and long black trench coat, has attended the first big race of the steeplechase season for “as long as [he] can remember.”

And the dark, rolling clouds didn't faze him or the hundreds of others who attended the Saturday afternoon race, which was first run in 1909.

“There’s lots of drinking, lots of good friends, lots of socializing—the rain won’t stop us,” Councill said.

Echoing those sentiments, Councill’s friend Willie White, similarly outfitted in fine attire, wasn’t going to let a little stinging rain, knock-you-down wind and muddied grounds ruin his good time.

“I will be here in any weather,” White said. “I love the sport; we need more people coming out. I use to race myself.”

Peering through foggy, rain-splattered frames, Arthur Reade, a 15-year patron of My Lady’s Manor, weathered the storm to support friends. The race is considered the first jewel in Maryland steeplechasing's triple crown. This coming Saturday, riders will compete in the Grand National, followed a week later by the Maryland Hunt Cup.

“We live locally and know a lot of people involved in the race,” Reade said. “There always seems to be tough weather at the Manor race—the Grand National usually has nicer weather.”

Towson resident and race judge T.J. Albert has attended the event for an astounding 51 years. As a judge, Albert makes sure the horses clear the fences, keeps an eye out for broken fences and reports any injuries. He continues to come to My Lady’s Manor because “they keep asking me to.”

“It’s great, though—better when it’s drier,” he said.

But the bone-chilling weather was no match for Wyatt and Bon Caddo. Although it wasn’t Wyatt's intention to stay out in front and lead the race, Bon Caddo had different ideas.

“I didn’t particularly want to be there,” Wyatt said. “But things change and so we adapted and he was very happy out there.”

Wyatt didn't anticipate Bon Caddo taking charge, but she was certainly pleased with the results. 

"The horse jumped really well and he let me settle in various spots and got a breather a couple of times," she said. "And [we had a] pretty good run."

In the 87th John Rush Streett Memorial race, E. Gaertner took first place with horse Yin Yang. And George Hundt Jr. sealed the deal with Justpourit (Ire) in the 10th John D. Schapiro Memorial race. 

For complete results, check out marylandsteeplechasing.com.