The 18th Charleston Cup features the nation's top steeplechase riders, trainers and owners competing for a $50,000 purse. Over 16,000 spectators are expected.
Attendees will arrive early with their picnic baskets packed with everything from champagne and caviar to fried chicken and cold beer. A vendor village and tailgating are in full swing by the time the paddock call rolls around at 12:00 noon.
A steeplechase race differs from a flat race in many ways. Flat racing is exciting in that it has a great deal of speed while a steeplechase takes that speed and combines it with the danger of jumping. The thoroughbreds that run in steeplechase races are three years of age or older and have been trained specifically for ‘chasing.’ Additionally, the jockeys are typically larger than ones that would participate in a flat race. The extra height is necessary in order to have a better hold on the horse while soaring over the jumps.