A34-Ltnc*ster Farming, Saturday, March 18, 2000
Annual Willowdale
Steeplechase May 14
KENNETT SQUARE (Ches
ter Co.)-The top horses and
riders on the chasing circuit will
arrive here for the eighth annual
Willowdale Steeplechase, May
14.
The National Steeplechase
Association-sanctioned event,
conducted in the heart of Ameri
ca’s horse country, Chester
County, just 40 miles from
downtown Philadelphia, draws
more than 10,000 spectators an
nually.
The event benefits the Stroud
Water Research Center, which
conducts research to protect the
world’s most endangered natu
ral resource, fresh water.
Willowdale’s beautifully roll
ing grounds comprise one of the
most spectacular natural am
phitheaters in horse racing, al
lowing spectators an unimpeded
view of the entire course. The
challenging course, designed by
Irish course designer Hugh
Morshead, uses an uphill ap
proach to fences. Noted as one
of the most beautiful courses in
North America, its layout fea
tures an exciting water jump ad
jacent to the spectator area
along with traditional European
Willowdale’s fenced
course and family
oriented attractions
make it the perfect
outing for families.
“The ECS Kid’s Alley
Tent,” featuring eight
fascinating hands-on
experiments about
stream life and
watersheds hosted by
scientists from the
Stroud Water Re
search Center, pro
vides hours of
entertainment for chil
dren of all ages. In ad
dition, children will
enjoy free pony rides
courtesy of Gateway
Stables, storytelling,
crafts, games and
more. A carriage
parade, antique car
display, and vendor
tent featuring unique
shopping add to the
fun.
New for 2000, Wil
lowdalc will introduce
ready to serve brunch,
lunch, and hors
d’oeuvres packages,
prepared by the gour
met chefs at the Oak
Grill at the Marshal
ton Inn. Spectators
can order the food
along with their tick
ets and pick it up on
the grounds ready to
serve race day. Wil
iowdale’s tailgating
competition has added
fabulous prizes and ce
lebrity judges.
Adult general ad
mission is $l5 in ad
vance, $2O at the gate.
Senior and student ad
mission is $10; chil
dren 12 and under are
admitted free. Re
served tailgate park
ing spaces begin at
$lOO, and sponsorship
opportunities are
available. For more in
formation, phone
(610) 444-1582.
hedges and post and rail fences.
Race day begins at 11 a.m.,
with the first of three pony races
scheduled for 11:15 a.m. Jack
Russell terrier races begin at
noon. The Foxhunters’ Chase is
run for the Winterking Perpet
ual Trophy at 1:30 p.m.
The first race, The Folly, for
maidens three years old and up,
begins at 2 p.m. The two and a
half-mile race over 13 modified
hurdles carries a $lO,OOO purse.
The $lO,OOO Landhope Cup, a
three-mile, 16-fence timber race
for 4-year-olds and up which
have never won over timber, car
ries a purse of $lO,OOO.
The feature race, the Willow
dale Steeplechase, is run third,
beginning about 3 p.m. The
three and a half mile race over
21 timber obstacles is open to
horses six years old and older.
The race carries a purse of
$15,000.
The Rose Tree Cup, a starter
handicap hurdle race over 13
fences, is for apprentice riders
on horses four years old and up
which have not won two races. A
part of the $lO,OOO purse is do
nated by the National Steeple
chase Foundation for the
promotion of amateur racing.
The final race is the two-mile
Liam Magee Flat Race, open to
horses three years old and up,
ridden by amateur owner/riders.
Mercer County Teen First Recipient Of
State Grange Foundation
HARRISBURG (Dauphin
Co.)-A Granger from Mercer
County is the first recipient of
the Pennsylvania Grange Foun
dation Scholarship.
Thomas Courtney, a junior
majoring in mechanical engi
neering at Bucknell University,
is the first collegiate student to
receive the scholarship that was
created by delegate action at the
1996 State Convention in
Warren County.
Courtney, son of John and
Pamela Courtney, Mercer, is a
member of Pleasant Valley
Grange 1643 and a 1997 gradu
ate of Mercer Area High School.
Courtney’s college activities
and leadership positions include
singing in the men’s ensemble
called Proclamation, Christian
Fellowship, a Bible study leader,
Bucknell Bootscooter Linedanc
ing Club, intramural soccer, col
lege technical crew, and others.
A fourth-generation Granger,
Courtney is a past assistant
steward and gatekeeper at his
subordinate Grange and is the
reigning Mercer County Grange
Fair King.
Courtney will receive a grant
of $5OO, with no repayment re
quired, and is eligible to receive
an additional scholarship next
year.
All fourth degree (subordinate
Grange) members in good
standing for at least one year,
who are entering at least their
junior year of college and can
demonstrate financial need, are
eligible to apply for a foundation
scholarship.
Two other Grange members
received financial aid in 1999.
Brandon Treichler, a member
of Virginville Grange 1832,
Berks County, received a Leon
ard Rhone grant. Karen Sicig
nano, a member of Friendship
Grange 1232, Mercer County,
was awarded a Santee student
Treichler, the son of Keith
and Suzanne Treichler of Kutz
town, is a 1999 graduate of Oley
Valley High School. He entered
Penn State this fall as a dairy
science major.
Treichler is a member of the
Community Service Committee
at Virginville and filled nearly
every station as a prior member
of its junior Grange. Treichler
was also active in 4-H, FFA, and
various dairy judging clubs.
Recipients of Rhone scholar
ships must be a Grange member
in good standing and be en
dorsed by his subordinate or
Pomona (county) Grange
Master.
A $3OO grant is available each
year. To be eligible, a student
must pursue a four-year study in
Pulverizers
Rj
MARYLAND
Chestertown - Kingstown Tractor
Churchville - Walter G. Coale, Inc
Frederick - H.B. Duvall, Inc
Hagerstown - Antietam Ford Tractor
Kennedyville - Starkey Farm Equipment,
Whiteford - Deer Creek Equipment
PENNSYLVANIA
Altoona - Hines Equipment
Bloomsburg - Nichols Farm Equipment
Carlisle - R & W Equipment Co
Cresson - Hines Equipment
Easton - Forks Equipment
Glen Rock - Wertz Farm & Power Eq
Klmgerstown - Stanley's Farm Service
Lititz - Binkley & Hurst Bros
New Ringgold - Eckroth Bros. Farm Equipment,
Orefield - Eckroth Equipment
Oxford - Deer Creek Equipment
Quarryville - A.L Herr & Brothers
Richland - Lebanon Valley Implement
agriculture or human develop
ment and family services at
Penn State University.
Sicignano, the daughter of
Ron and Eva Sicignano of
Hartstown, is a sophomore at
Clarion University who plans to
obtain a business degree.
She was inducted into Phi-
Eta-Sigma, a National Honor
Society for freshman, after ob
taining a 4.0 grade average her
first year.
A 1998 graduate of James
town High School, she was
active in various musical clubs
in high school and numerous
sports.
The Santee loan is $5OO per
year and is interest free. Santee
loans are repayable starting six
months following graduation,
upon leaving school or ceasing
to be a full-time student.
AUTHORIZED DEALERS
410-778-1640
800-286-8292
301-662-1125
301-791-1200
,410-348-2470
.410-452-5252
814-742-8171
570-784-7731
717-243-2686
814-886-4183
610-252-8828
,717-235-0111
570-648-2088
.717-626-4705
.570-943-2131
.610-366-2095
610-932-8858
717-786-3521
717-866-7518