The Sum is Greater Than the Parts

There can be no doubt that The Queen’s Cup takes some putting together. Everything from walking the course to make sure that the turf is spot on for the horses, to making sure all the right tents are in the right places. We spend long hours going over colors and menus. That doesn’t even begin to cover the time that’s spent processing orders, working with our vendor partners, dealing with the logistics leading up to and on the day and of course, packing and mailing out credentials to all of our patrons.

To Our Race Partners, Thank You

All that said, there is a great team here at the Queen’s Cup to help do all those things. But the ones that really do need thanks and appreciation are our Race Partners. We don’t use the word sponsor here at The Queen’s Cup as we feel that every relationship should be a partnership and we strive to help any partner over and above what any agreement outlines. Some of those we would like to thank are Brown Advisory, The Charlotte Business Journal, TruGreen and of course our presenting partner, Sonitrol Verified Security. There are a few things that without them, the day would not go ahead and it is fair to say that without our race Partners this would all be a dream.

Brown Advisory, a thoughtful financial company will be the presenter of the first race on the afternoon and are joining us for the first time as a Race Partner. The Charlotte Business Journal will have the second race in their name and TruGeen, one of our longest partners, will once again present the Future Champions Turf Race. Sonitrol Verified Security are our presenting partner and we are truly indebted to them. Sonitrol will be the Race Partner for the third and fourth races on the card with the feature $75,000 MPC Queen’s Cup Novice Stake.

Outside of that we have a multitude of Course Partners and contributors. Kendall Jackson, Dixie Vodka and Merrill Lynch CBC Group will be bringing you the Hotwalk Party and a lot of the beverages you’ll be able to enjoy on the day are supplied by Kendall Jackson Family Wines, Dixie Vodka, Brown Foreman and Diageo. Again, we would like to express a sincere thank you to all of these Partners too.

But it doesn’t stop there. Vineyard Vines has helped make the Hat Contest happen, AREVA have helped to make sure that the grooms for the horses are well taken care of. Novant Health are the proud presenters of The Opening Ceremonies.

The wonderful Race Program that you will see on race day is brought to you by Merrill Lynch CBC Group, Novant Health and Piedmont Natural Gas and all the colorful and attractive billboards that you will see leading up to April 29th come to you with the help of Adams Outdoor.

It is one thing to just mention all of these partners but allow me to express sincere thanks to all of these companies. Our day, which is really your day could absolutely not happen without all of you. From the bottom of our hearts, you have helped to make our dreams come true.

Now lets all have a great day. See you at the races.

The fun and games, meeting, greeting and the pageantry all start in Brooklandwood when the clock strikes 10 on the morning of April 29th. But, when we hear the familiar bars that signal the start of the Star-Spangled Banner, it is only then that we know the show has begun.

Like all of you, we have heard our National Anthem in dozens of venues and sporting events. Also like you, our hair will stand on end, and for some, even a tear will form with pride. Although it only lasts a very short time, it means so much to so many.

By The Dawn’s Early Light

Then we heard Maddie Huecker sing it in a way that made us feel all those things and more. Maddie, a native of Mooresville, NC., and a Brawley middle school student has what some might describe as “The X Factor.” The 12-year-old, Ms. Huecker, has commanded the attention of proud fans and spectators at events like The Carolina Panthers, The Charlotte Knights and NASCAR. A young veteran of the spotlight, Maddie has also signaled the start of the 2016 Queen’s Cup and is going to do the same this year.

Although the National Anthem does not change from one rendition to another, let me tell you, Maddie does it differently. A voice that has been blessed and the ability to use that talent and then to do it on the big day. I can assure you, the rockets red flair and the bombs bursting in air have never sounded so good.

See you at the races.

When I started riding horses professionally in Ireland, I remember thinking “this is pretty cool.” They had TV’s everywhere, big grandstands and people crammed in there like sardines. I came to America to ride and found it very different. The people still come, and come in the thousands, but not for the commercialization. No, they came because it’s a great day of sport and socialization for everyone of all ages. I still ride and ride at a high level and I realize that there are many opportunities to do things within our sport to make it better.

The magic part is, that being part of the Queen’s Cup Team lets me see that they do it as well as anyone – anywhere. As a jockey, I was brought on to give a different perspective to the Team, to bring some of my passion and find unique ways for their Sponsors and Patrons to see a side of the racing game very few people from the outside see.

Racing Around the World

I have ridden in 7 countries, from Qatar to France and from Australia to the USA. I have gained a wealth of experience. I have seen racing on its greatest days and I have been lucky enough to compete on most of them.

Today, the Queen’s Cup is not yet on the international page – yet – but one might want to watch this space. The Queen’s Cup is one of the most spectacular venues of any sporting day, right up there with some of the best venues I have ever ridden.

Although I will not ride here this year, I look forward to the opportunity of riding at the Brooklandwood racecourse again.

See you at the races.

We spend hours, days, weeks and months spreading the word about The Queens Cup and how much fun it is. How you and your family and guests need to come out to Mineral Springs to have an amazing and unforgettable day. We are constantly telling people how beautiful it is out here and once you experience it, you will come back year after year.

We say that because we mean it and believe it. However, here at Team Queen’s Cup, we know there is a deeper and bigger meaning to the last Saturday in April. Our primary focus and reason for being around. That reason is charity. This year, for the fourth year we are working with The Alzheimer’s Association. It is something the whole team holds very dear and it is something that is personal to us all.

Although we love to give to The Alzheimer’s Association and we want to make everything better with it, every so often we see or hear something that makes it all so real again. It takes it beyond money and effort and brings it right to your front door.

We have recently received this letter from a long-time patrol judge Casey Hamilton. Casey and his wife Sandy are currently living with this tragic disease. Sandy has been diagnosed with early on-set Alzheimer’s and is Casey is now her full time care giver. I encourage everyone to read his story. We would also ask you to remember why we do what we do.

See you at the races.

One Story

Everyone is aware at one level or another of the dreadful nature of Alzheimer’s disease.  The numbers are only going to grow, so if this helps someone else prepare for or cope with the illness, it is worth telling the story.

In retrospect, the illness was slowly creeping up onus for up to five years before we decided we were possibly in real trouble.  Sandy’s role in our business became more and more difficult, the accounting and organizational management beyond her ability.  This for a woman who had been a Vice President at a Fortune 500 company.  She began to repeat herself in social situations, broke down in tears dealing with the accountants, and oneday could not find her way to where I was waiting for her to pick me up.

Our first diagnosis was stress and depression, perfectly reasonable under the circumstances.  A close friend who had not seen her in several years observed that she was suffering from serious mental deterioration, much more than could be explained by depression.  We still functioned well together as partners;  I lowered my expectations, and our lives were slowing down anyway.

I have never been this old before, so coping with aging is an endless learning process.  We dialed up the medical attention and after extensive testing concluded/confirmed the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease, all at great cost and with no solutions, cure or treatments offered.  The medications prescribed may or may not help slow the disease.  I can only hope that Sandy is more comfortable with them.

Too much leisure lead to too much drinking and the inevitable DUI.  While the charge was eventually dismissed, it lead also to Sandy being put in a managed care facility.  While the dog and I visited almost every day, it still took six months to get her back home.  The legal and medical costs were astronomical.  Two good things came from this experience:  I learned that if I wanted to care properly for Sandy, I need to care for myself too.  We have professional help looking after Sandy twice a week so that I can do errands and have some time to myself, and I do not drink.

I cannot predict the future beyond knowing that Sandy’s physical deterioration will continue.  It has been slow but regular and I can only think inevitable.  She and I are still on good terms, and caring for her is just part of our day.  If we share a smile, a joke or a laugh, it is a good day.  The people who have cared for her during the past months have said she is happiest when I am around, one of the few things I can control easily.  I will continue to care for her myself for as long as she will accept me, keeping her here in our home where I know she feels safe.  I can always insert more professional home care, so institutionalization is an option for the distant future.

These have been my choices, willingly made, hopefully correct for us, for  now.  This devastating illness crept up on us.  We were not feeling old and had no history of it in either family, yet here it is.  Sandy is only sixty two, so especially not fair to her, but fairness is net really part of life.  We are lucky to still have each other.

Every year of the Queens Cup we like to commission an original piece of art for the event. 2017 is no different. Sometimes you get to see the races in all their glory, other times you will see the party that is happening. This year, our artwork created by the talented John Springer, Jr., is a piece that literally jumps at you.

John, is a 26-year artist who was born in Columbus, GA, and transplanted to Charlotte as an 8-year-old boy. A lover of the outdoors and teaching, John found a passion for art while he was in high school. John is now a full-time commissioned artist and we consider ourselves lucky to have had him paint our art for the 2017 Queens Cup.

“When you see what John has created, you realize straight away that, yes, thoroughbreds can gallop but they can also fly,”

stated Business Development Director, Kevin Tobin. “When you observe the facial expressions of the horses, it is clear that the only ones who love the racing more than we do, are the horses. Eyes on the prize, so to speak.”

In This Case, Art Imitates Life

The art itself is a simple picture created from a photograph taken by professional sports photographer, Tod Marks. The painting that John has mastered exudes passion and almost has the horses jumping into the fire of competition. The fence below the horses’ bodies is an obstacle but looks more like a take-off board for these incredible animals. To put things into perspective, horses will easily clear 25 feet in one leap at racing pace. John has brought the competition and action to life.

We will all get to see the artwork on the last Saturday of April at the 2017 Queens Cup, as the image is on all General Admission badges. Here at The Queens Cup, we are honored and grateful to John Springer and his talent for the fabulous piece he has given us.

See you at the races, where we can watch those horses fly.

It is not too far-fetched to think that horses are very much like people in so many ways. There are nice ones and not so nice ones. We have lazy ones and hard workers. What is virtually the same for both is that the more time you have to mature and develop, the greater the chances you will improve at whatever it is you have dedicated yourself to. Horses are no different.

Jump Horses Tend to Have Longer Careers

This is why jump racing plays the right notes with so many horse people. While many horses on the flat track come to retirement before a person would be of age to go to school, there are active jump horses who are nearly old enough to drive. OK, so that is an exaggeration but racing will have horses running and productive well into their teens.

“California Chrome is a prime example of horses improving with age,”

stated Kevin Tobin, Business Development Director. “He was a decent 3-year-old, an ok 4-year-old and a monster at 5. By accident or design, he was given enough time and he duly rewarded his connections with a Horse of the Year crown and the title of the richest horse ever to run on American soil.”

Now, make no mistake, waiting for a horse to get older does not always mean that he or she gets better, but it’s not a bad place to start. Jump racing strongly supports this theory. The youngest horse that will run at the Queens Cup will be nearly 4 ½ years old and he or she will only be getting started in their jump racing career. The oldest participant may very well be 10 or more. It then becomes a wonderful life for that horse, living in paradise and doing what they were put on this earth to do, run and jump.

Come see these superstars, young and old, the last Saturday of Every April. It’s the #greatestshowonturf.