A horse is a horse, of course, but not many Atlantans have seen these four-legged friends in competitive action before. Those who have often gallop back for more. Check out the list of horse-related events taking place throughout the spring and summer.
Fans saddle up annually for this popular happening, which takes place at Kingston Downs near Cartersville about an hour north of Atlanta. Guests, many donning snazzy dresses and spring hats, cheer on some of the country’s top steeplechase thoroughbreds during five races and there are plenty of family activities to keep the kids happy.
Four races feature the horses catching air over brush jumps, while one is strictly a turf affair. The day's featured race is the Coca-Cola Georgia Cup with its $50,000 prize. The doors open at 9 a.m. with tailgaters typically fast out of the gate to host their own parking lot parties. Steeplechase guests are invited to get up close and personal with the Budweiser Clydesdales before the animals parade around the track at 11:45 a.m. The 5K Peoplechase race starts at 11 a.m. and an air show and skydiving demonstration, bagpipe performance and hat contest and parade all follow before races begin at 1:30 p.m. Kids will love the Jack Russell terrier races, rock climbing and pony and camel rides in the infield. Those activities unfold from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The organizers suggest using the directions on the event website instead of any satellite mapping device.
9 a.m. April 13. $30 general admission at Ticketmaster; free ages 12 and younger. Kingston Downs, Gore Springs Road, Rome. 800-745-3000.
Take a 30-minute drive south from Atlanta to witness the action at the 8,000-acre Bouckaert Farms in Fairburn near the banks of the Chattahoochee. It is three days of revelry coinciding with an arduous Olympic competition known as eventing or the equestrian triathlon. Eventing puts the training, strength and ability of each horse to the test and it also judges the bond fused between the animal and rider. Expect to find international professionals, amateurs and Olympians competing on horseback. A fleet of food trucks, a shopping bazaar, a beer garden, a kid’s zone and rider meet-and-greet opportunities help heighten the festival atmosphere. A bonfire is set to light up Saturday evening. The Mike Snowden One Man Cigar Box Guitar Band and other performers deliver music. A special VIP All Access pass comes with a parking pass, meals for all three days and allows guests into the Sponsor/VIP Tent.
8 a.m.-9 p.m. May 17; 8 a.m.-10 p.m. May 18; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. May 19. Weekend pass: $11 adults advance; $15 at the door; $3 ages 12 and younger advance; $5 at the door. VIP All Access: $250; $150 Saturday only. Parking: $5 advance; $10 at the door. Tailgating pass: $50 advance; $60 at the door. Bouckaert Farms, 10045 Cedar Grove Road, Fairburn. 770-892-2117.
The sprawling 173-acre farm promotes the sport of polo by hosting regular matches. Polo enthusiast Jack Cashin, 87, developed the farm in 1979 and still plays the sport himself today. Many family members play polo and help out with the facility. Cashin’s daughters, Cara and Heath, and son-in-law Kellum Tadsen oversee the farm. At 2 p.m. most Sundays from May through November, the public is invited to watch matches. Visitors can spread out on blankets and are allowed to bring food and drink to nosh and sip on as the athletes and horses do their stuff. Fans often interact with riders after the matches and kids are welcome to pet the horses. Admission is charged for each vehicle that enters. The farm is sometimes closed for private events and ticket price may vary if a fundraiser is taking place. The farm staff suggests checking the calendar on the Chukkar Farm website before visiting. Chukkar Farms also offers riding and beginning polo lessons and seasonal concerts.
2 p.m. Sundays. May through November. $20 per vehicle. Cashin’s Chukkar Farm Polo Club & Event Facility, 1140 Liberty Grove Road, Alpharetta. 770-664-1533.
About the Author
