Steeplechase Races Across the Carolinas
Party Reflections is the proud rental partner for three southern steeplechase races a year starting with the Carolina Cup in March followed by the Queens Cup in April and the Colonial Cup in November. Our Columbia, SC team produces both the Carolina Cup and the Colonial Cup that take place in Camden, SC and our Charlotte, NC team produces the Queens Cup that takes place in Mineral Springs, NC. The nature of a horse racing event itself is unique. There is substantial amount of work that goes into producing an event that lasts less than 12 hours for thousands of guests in a remote location.
As the rental provider for these events, our objective is to work directly with the client to determine their needs, create contracts for the event as well as individual sponsors and guests, craft a timeline for installation of the equipment and provide onsite management of the rental process. In both locations, our team consists of a Senior Account Executive, a Project Manager and the operational support team that meets throughout the year and is onsite 3 weeks before the event to install the orders.
As of April 12th, 2017, the Carolina Cup Racing Association has decided to combine the fall’s signature race, the Marion duPont Scott Colonial Cup, a race for the steeplechase sport’s top performers with the historic Carolina Cup event in the spring. Although the November event will no longer be taking place, we will continue to work directly with the CCRA as they make changes to the event layout to accommodate for the two races now being held on one day.
The recent 2017 Carolina Cup had an estimated attendance of approximately 40,000 patrons. Springdale Race course is on approximately 600 acres of land that is transformed into a world class racecourse. From the Infield tailgating area and the famed College Park on the south side of the course to the Turf Club, Hospitality Terrace and Paddock areas on the north side of the course, there are hundreds of tents, tables, chairs and linens on course. For example, over 100 20X20 tents are installed in the famed College Park area alone. Larger tents varying in size from the 50X132 Turf Club to the 30X45 Hospitality tents on the Terrace and the various tents in the Paddock area are visible from anywhere on course.
Always held on the last Saturday of April, the annual Queens Cup Steeplechase is a North Carolina tradition. Ten thousand spectators made their way to Mineral Springs, NC to partake in a fun filled day of horse races, tailgating and contests this past Saturday.
The Queens Cup Steeplechase is a traditional horse race featuring 5 races, family friendly contests and personalized tailgating. In order to create this event, the organizers work with Party Reflections to build the infrastructure throughout Brooklandwood establishing hospitality suites, tailgating locations around the course and the infield. We supply tents varying in size from the Elkridge Club’s 60X120 pole tent on Members Hill, numerous 20X30 frame tents creating sponsors hospitality along Chase Hill and Clubhouse Turn to hundreds of 10×10 high peak tents for all additional tailgating areas. The essential tailgating equipment includes tables and chairs and can potentially include custom linens, draping and staging.