Thousands of spectators gather at Springdale racecourse in Camden on March 29, 2025, to enjoy steeple chasing as well as the fashion, food and community at the 90th running of the Carolina Cup. photos by Elliot Simpkins
The Carolina Cup is an annual horse race that people come from all places to enjoy. It creates a joyous environment to cheer, tailgate, and bet on the races. jockeys and trainers work tirelessly to make sure the horses are at full potential by race day.
Jockeys and trainers take the horses out to walk laps the morning before the race to warm up the horses. Trainer Keri Brion walks "The Addison Pour" for its morning walk at sunrise.
Violet O'Tuel, 10, is a young horse rider that has competed in a few small events but has yet to run her first race, when she's older she said she wants a thorobreed as her own horse to race. She comes out to the races with her "Horse Fairy God-Mother" Camron Sadler.
Richard Boucher trainer preps his horses for the night; him and his daughter Mell Boucher are a father daughter trainer jockey duo that has been racing for years at the Carolina cup.
United States Army Special Forces Association does an arial entrance at the start of the 2025 Carolina Cup where 5 Paratroopers sky dive out of a military helicopter onto the racecourse.
Horse races is one of the first sports to be bet on, it became a common terminology of going to the horse race is related to betting on them. So along with the Carolina cup being beloved for its racing and tailgating culture betting is the fuel behind it all.
Lila Powers 7, cheers with excitement and high energy before the races while she looks at the horses on the track. She is at the Carolina Cup for the first time with her parents and their friends.
Stephan Mulqueen on "The Insider" pulls ahead of Dan Nevin atop "Little G T" in the first leg of The Kirkover-Woodward Cup.
Stephen Mulqueen on "Moonshine Time" pulls ahead the crowd to further solidify and cushion his win in The C.P. and Edith Wills Dubose Cup.
Jockey Dan Nevin shows excitement after he takes the win awarding $15,000 in The National Steeplechase Museum maiden claiming hurdle atop "Awesome Strike".