Tailgating not just for Football Games: Try a Steeplechase!
By Jim Herman

If you love tailgating at football games during Indian summer Saturdays where cool nights and warm days compete just like the game—you will fall in love with a 3-day steeplechase event. Two of the most prestigious steeplechase events in the United States are held at the Springdale Race Course in the quaint hamlet of Camden, South Carolina.

The Springdale Race Course is home of the The Carolina Cup Races, held each year in the spring, and The Marion duPont Scott Colonial Cup in the fall. The Carolina Cup was established in 1930 while The duPont Scott Colonial Cup was added 33 years ago in 1970.

The pageantry of the riders, wearing multi colored silk jackets with matching helmets, sitting atop a powerful thoroughbred horse while galloping 35 miles per hour over a difficult obstacle course, will hold you in riveted to your seat. The suspense is doubled, even tripled, since they are competing against each other, horse-to-horse, jockey-to-jockey and against an obstacle course. Compounding all of this is the fact that at any moment, either horse or rider could take a spill. Seem better than a suspenseful movie? Well, rest assured, it is!

Every seat or viewing area is a good one. From standing along the white railing near the galloping hoofs and snorts, to the comfortable seats in the large grandstand area, every ticket holder feels part of the action. Surrounding the huge emerald green race course are tents, banners and flags, adding a touch of surreal uniqueness to this age-old sport. If you close your eyes and let your imagination run wild, the sounds of hounds chasing the fox through the moors of merry old England will drift through the air.

Both of the Cup Races are three-day events. Parking, with a purchased pass, is allowed on the grounds so take plenty of food and stay for an entire day or all three. You will be very close to the animals so please do not throw any chicken bones near the race course or stables—well, maybe an apple!

There will be a lot more going on which will make it difficult to decide what to do first. Springdale Race Course is the home of The National Steeplechase Museum, a building that opened in 1998 and is devoted to the history of steeple chasing.

There is so much to see and do that you will want to check it out before you go. Visit the web site to find out about both events, or you can contact them at 1-800-780-8117. Tickets and directions are available both at the site and phone number. Ticket pricing ranges from $15 for general admission to $400 for a grandstand box of six seats.

This is the time to get your ticket order in for the spring event (Carolina Cup) that will be held March 15-26, 2004—do not delay as this event sells out early; however, if you want to go to the fall event (Colonial Cup) November 14-16, 2003, better saddle up old Betsy and gallop on line or make that phone call pronto!