Apparently the weathermen in the United Kingdom are much more reliable than in the States, because when they said the rain would stop at 3 p.m., and it was still downpouring at 2:50, we were skeptical. But, shine the sun did, and just in time for the largest number of horses to jog that I’ve personally witnessed.
A few drops here and there did not dampen the spirit of the crowd, though collective breathes were held while several horses were asked to be represented.
The U.S. riders all looked fantastic and were well dressed for the conditions. All of those who presented passed without issue, though Sinead and Tate decided to show off a few new airs above ground.
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More later from a soggy, but sunny Burghley, after some tea and sleep!
Allie Conrad is executive director of CANTER Mid Atlantic, which provides retiring Thoroughbred racehorses with opportunities for new careers. Allie founded the organization in 1999 at Charles Town Racetrack (W.V.) after purchasing her beloved Thoroughbred Phinny, who had more than 60 starts at Charles Town, at the infamous New Holland Auction in Pennsylvania. A resident of Southern Pines, N.C., Allie also works full time as a project manager for a Washington, D.C., consulting firm. You can learn more about CANTER Mid Atlantic on their website, www.canterusa.org/midatlantic.
