Carolina Cup takes place at a quaint racetrack in Camden, SC at Springdale Race Course. It's about 35-45 minutes out of Columbia and attracts attendees from Florida to Virginia! I've actually met students from as far away as Virginia Tech and Florida State University. I've heard rumors of a bus of Arizona fraternity brothers making it for the weekend this year as well!
Taken from the Carolina Cup website, here's a little bit of the Cup history:
Springdale Race Course is situated just on the outskirts of town, and hosts two of the most important steeplechases on the yearly calendar – the extremely popular Carolina Cup in the spring and the prestigious Colonial Cup in the autumn. Interestingly, in a state where pari-mutuel betting is not allowed, more than 60,000 people routinely show up and have a wonderful time at the races. Clearly, going racing in the South is not just about the chance to win a bet.
Camden is well known as a training center for racehorses from the Eastern part of the U.S., and throughout the world. With its spacious, well maintained grounds laid out in the European training style, there are a variety of places in which to train and exercise the substantial horse population. Hall of Fame trainers have habitually sent their horses to Camden for a winter rest, or some rehab following an injury. It is also where young Thoroughbreds can begin their early training in a relaxed atmosphere away from the sometimes frenetic and more confined space of the racing facilities in major urban cities, such as New York and Miami. Many champion racehorses have called Camden home at some point during their careers, including the incomparable Ruffian.
There are also several areas of Springdale including the Grandstand (pictured above), Infield, Rail areas, Paddock and College Park. When you think Carolina Cup, depending on your age, you'll think of any of these locations. College Park is the big college area filled with tents while the Grandstand is your nicest area of the course.
Where is your group staying? Do you want to see any of the races?
xxKatie
No comments:
Post a Comment