To say that my wife loves horses would be an understatement. Having been a groomer for an Olympic level Eventing horse and also a certified Therapeutic
Riding Instructor treating physically, mentally and emotionally handicapped kids and adults using horses, she cannot get enough of horses. Yesterday, her
birthday present was to attend the 12th Annual Queen's Cup Steeplechase held at the one mile long course at Brooklandwood, Mineral Springs, NC, about 20
miles southeast of Charlotte.
We could not have asked for a better day. It was sunny and warm with just enough breeze to keep us comfortable. In the morning we were laughing our heads off
watching the Jack Russel Terriers race. They were chasing after some rabbit fur on a rope pulled by an electric motor. They would all be muzzled but still
trying to bite each other when they were running along. At the end the fur disappeared into the hay bales and they would be digging, biting and fighting until
the handlers could separate them, which wasn't always easy, but it was very entertaining to see how excited those little guys were.
In the afternoon, despite having just General Admision tickets I think we found the best seats in the place. Although this race course is about the same length
as the typical horse racing track, it does not look anything like it. First the horses run on grass that is not level but has hills (the back straight is all
uphill and the front is all downhill), in addition there are 13 jumps. As well, the course may only be about a mile long, but they do not start and finish at
the same place, plus they go around twice, making the race length, 2-1/4 miles. Our seats were directly on the starting line and within 20 feet of one of the
jumps. My wife enjoyed herself thoroughly. Following are the pictures.
View of the Course from the Starting Line
The Outriders Overlooking the Proceedings
Milling Around Before the Start of One of the Six Races
The Walking Start of The Queen's Cup (the featured race)
Action Over One of the Jumps
Queen's Cup Steeplechase
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 Fredrider |
Queen's Cup Steeplechase |
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Posts: 5921 04/29/07 8:35 AM
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Fred
Last Edited By: Fredrider 04/29/07 9:58 AM.
Edited 1 time.
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bamaTrider |
#1 | |||
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HSATF 1st Officer
Posts: 3734 04/29/07 10:01 PM |
Thanks for the pics, Fred, My sister and family raise horses as well as my 1st cousin. They do it more for the enjoyment of working with them than for
competition. My adjoining neighbor has 3 in his pasture behind us and we get to enjoy their beauty and playful antics everyday. On rare occasion we get to see
Deer standing amongst them in the wee hours of the morning from out sun room.
Stan
"We are different - yet we are the
same"
2004 GL1800 Goldwing (Titanium) 1999 Ace Tourer (Silver over Black) |
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fedspaz |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 627 04/30/07 9:51 AM
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geez... looks like you are standing on the course to get those pics. Nice photos.
Keep your knees in the breeze!
-Kirk |
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Fredrider |
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Posts: 5921 04/30/07 11:03 AM
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Thanks Kirk. We are right on the Starting Line and between 20 & 30 feet from the jump. The difficult part about taking pictures with a 'point &
shoot' camera is with its variable shutter lag time it is impossible to know when to click the shutter. I just had to click it sometime before the horses
were in the air and hope for the best. It's a good thing they go around twice and also that there were 6 races.
Fred
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Fredrider |
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Posts: 5921 04/27/08 6:03 AM
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Once again this year my wife wanted to spend her birthday watching the Queen's Cup Steeplechase, so yesterday I was happily snapping away
again. Here are a few of the pictures I was able to capture this year.
The Starter is Lining Up the Horses for the Walking Start of the Race 
Just About Lined Up for the Start
Fred
Last Edited By: Fredrider 04/27/08 6:06 AM.
Edited 1 time.
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eclecticdawn |
#5 | |||
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HSATF Road Captain
Posts: 390 04/27/08 8:34 AM |
Those are stunningly beautiful animals to see in person, aren't they? Thank you so much for sharing your photos of the event. You got some wonderful action
shots! I take it this is becoming a special birthday tradition for you and your lady?
We had horses when I was younger, and I used to barrel race at local rodeos. I was in heaven on my horse, and when I started riding motorcycles, the feeling was so similar when turning - but the bonus to riding bikes is that now I don't have stalls to muck! 
Live It, Love It, Paint It, Ride It!
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alepel |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 7869 04/27/08 7:52 PM
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Fred....those are some great action photos.
alepel
"Ride with the Spirit always, and in all ways"....hombldr |
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Fredrider |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 5921 04/28/08 5:04 AM
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Dawn,
This is definitely becoming a tradition. It is a wonderful way to spend a beautiful spring day.
Fred
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jazmo2 |
#8 | |||
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HSATF Tail Gunner
Posts: 89 04/28/08 10:05 AM |
Hey Fred, great action flicks, but I think my favorite is in the second set of flicks #7 from top to bottom,She's the blond in the grey dress standing
between the two ladies with hats on, now that's a filly that great photo's are taken from.
Believe me MARINES know a good horse when they see one. JACK |
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mktobob |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 2285 04/28/08 11:18 AM
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Great shots Fred! Looks like a neat event to spend the day at. Bob
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