Thoroughbreds, Terriers and a Taste of the 'Chase
by Bridgette Bonner
25th
Running
of the Steeplechase comes to
Callaway Gardens
t’s time to dust off those big Southern hats and get
ready for Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens again!
This year is the 25th running of Steeplechase, and
there are more exciting activities to add to your itinerary for
the day.
Steeplechase originated in 1752 in Ireland, where large
church steeples also served as finish lines. “Chase to the
steeple” became Steeplechase. It made its way to the United
States in 1834, and has grown tremendously with the founding
of the National Steeplechase Association, or NSA, in
1895 by nine men from New York.
Race director from the first Steeplechase at Callaway
Gardens in 1985, Nora Garrard, said things seem to be progressing
every year. “The horse races are the same for the
most part, but we didn’t have the events for kids, the terrier
races, the contests or the Top of the Turn,” Garrard said. “What we had was Hurricane Warren
the night before, so no one could drive
to the infield. Everyone was bussed to
the event. With that Georgia red clay,
we found shoes stuck out there for
months!” she laughed. “It seems like
every year there is something new, bigger
and better.”
This year, convenience for parents factors
into the “better” part of Garrard’s observation.
Moms and dads, don’t hesitate
to bring the kiddies along. There is plenty
of fun to keep them busy in the Kids Corral. “Columbus really likes the idea of a
Kids Corral, so we’ve added more to it,”
said Lucy Knight, executive director of
Steeplechase. “The parents can enjoy
their day and bring the children along
with them.”
Start the day off tailgating with your
decorated car and be a part of the tailgate
competition. This is your chance to be as “out there” as you desire. Categories include “Most Fru-Fru,” “Most Festive,” and “Most Southern Flair.”
Come with an appetite because Taste
of the Chase will be kicking off at
10:30 a.m. with good Southern music and
barbeque, and Galloping Gourmets, a collection
of 10 chefs’ specialties, is from
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Also emerging at 11:30 will be the
Jack Russell terriers in their annual race on Terrier Track in the infield. The terrier
races begin with the flat race, followed
by the hurdle races and stakes
races. These canine track-and-field stars
are enough to keep you cheering and
barking until you move to your next
event, the first horse race!
New this year are the family tents,
which will be at the Top of the Turn.
Get the whole crew, Grandma and
Grandpa and cousin Eddy and his family
together because 10 of you can fit under
one of these 15 x 15 ft. tents.
“People don’t realize it but the Top of
the Turn is a great place to watch the
races!” Knight raved. “You can see the
whole course from the Top of the Turn.
It’s really a beautiful sight and a prime
location.”
The first of the six races, the W.C.
Bradley Maiden Timber Race, takes off
at 1 p.m. The horse races will continue
until 4 p.m., but the excitement does
not end there. Following the day’s
events will be live music and Firehouse
subs.
Throughout the day will be stick
pony races for the children.
Three races will be held; one
for ages 4 and under, one for
ages 5-7 and one for ages 8-10. Following the three races
will be the ultimate face-off—the winners’ lap. This is
fun for everyone!
You don’t have to be a
jockey to wind up in the winner’s
circle. There will be a
Belmont Stakes Package raffle
to win a day at the races at
Belmont.
“We are excited about celebrating
our 25th year and
doing all we can to create
an atmosphere for a fun, family-filled day at The Steeplechase at
Callaway Gardens,” said this year’s race
director, Peyton Farrar.
Steeplechase at Callaway has recently
created a Facebook page where
you can become a fan and enter contests
for giveaways. For more information
on Steeplechase at Callaway, visit
steeplechaseatcallaway.org. See you at
the races!
To see this story complete with photos, pick up the latest issue of Columbus and the Valley at a retail outlet near you, or click here to subscribe online so you’ll never miss a word.
Phone: 706-324-6214
E-mail: contactus@columbusandthevalley.com
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