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Steeplechase burgs often see many benefits. Dade City may be no different.
By CHASE SQUIRES, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 9, 2002
DADE CITY -- On Sunday, the glamorous world of steeplechase horse racing turns to a small town in east Pasco County.
On Monday, when the Little Everglades Steeplechase packs up, the sport will move on. The crowds will be gone.
It's a scene repeated in hamlets up and down the East Coast as the National Steeplechase Association comes to town with a caravan of horse trailers and thousands of revelers for a day of lace tablecloths, champagne flutes, linen suits and outrageous hats.
But in some towns, the sport leaves a lasting mark: tack shops, feed stores, farms and an equestrian stamp that feeds tourism.
Dade City joined the 35-race steeplechase circuit last year. On Sunday, the Little Everglades ranch north of town hosts the NSA's season-opening event for the second time, offering $115,000 in prize money on a manicured course already rated among the top five in the country.
If history is an indication, this could be the start of something big.
"We hear wonderful things about you down there," said Hope Cooper, marketing director for the 70-year-old Springdale Race Course in Camden, S.C.
Because steeplechase racing evolved from rural fox hunts, traditional venues have been in the country. With years of tradition on their side, towns have turned the events into big crowds and big business.
In Malvern, Pa., -- a town of 3,000 -- the NSA swoops in each May, drawing up to 20,000 well-heeled fans from Philadelphia to the Radnor Hunt Races. In Aiken, S.C., with 25,000 residents, the NSA circus makes two visits and helps tie the region's identity to equestrian sports. Just north, the town of Camden, S.C., has established itself as the epicenter of a sport rich in tradition and, well, just plain rich.
"We're just a small town. We'll fill up hotels from here to Florence (54 miles east) to Columbia (35 miles south)," Cooper said. "It's always been South Carolina's rite of spring."
It also has lured thousands to the town of 6,500 and spawned a year-round training center, acres of surrounding horse farms and satellite businesses such as feed stores and saddle shops.
"It gets centralized in an area because the horsemen need these services, and they move to be in an area where they are located," said John Cushman, owner of Camden's Tack Room supply house and a member of the steeplechase's governing board. "At the same time, these support services move to an area where there are a lot of horsemen."
In its second year as a sanctioned event, Little Everglades founders and Dade City's 6,100 residents need to be patient, according to those who have been there.
In Aiken, a town steeped in all things equestrian, the first steeplechase drew 3,000 spectators. That was in 1930. Now, horses have become the key economic engine for Aiken, Chamber of Commerce president June Murff said.
"It's what sets us apart from every other Southern town," she said.
Another key, said Radnor's Kathie Brown, is in developing large, loyal sponsors. Brown courted the Mellon financial group, Volkswagen and Prudential Securities among others, but success has taken years.
The Little Everglades counted largely on friends of founding members, securing Tampa Electric Co., Ringhaver equipment, Dimmitt Land Rover, Centaur HTP fencing and the Bank of Tampa.
Aiken's volunteer racing historian Jane Page said in time Dade City could see the benefits Aiken enjoys: businesses and employment in horse-related industry, horse farms and hotels that fill with visitors.
"Really, it's taken us since 1890, when the first horse people turned it into a real center," she said.
Camden, home of the Carolina Cup and Camden Cup races, boasts the all-time NSA attendance record of 71,000.
In return, the city benefits from an identity that sets it apart, and the region enjoys steeplechasing's traditional eye toward charity.
For the past five years, Cushman said, the Carolina Cup has generated $90,000 a year for the nearby Kershaw County Medical Center.
The Little Everglades Steeplechase benefits the local YMCA and Pioneer Florida Museum.
Little Everglades race director Karen Streaker is optimistic that Dade City ultimately will stand out.
"We could be another Camden," she said. "It's not going to happen overnight, but I don't see why not."
WHAT: The Little Everglades Steeplechase, an elegant day of horse racing in the country, with Jack Russell terriers, tailgating, hat contests, shopping and more.
WHERE: The Little Everglades Ranch is about a mile north of Dade City limits. From points south, take Interstate 75 to State Road 52 to Dade City, then north on U.S. 301 to the Gould Road entrance.
WHEN: Gates open Sunday at 9:30 a.m., events start at 10 a.m., first steeplechase race at 1 p.m.
HOW MUCH: General admission at the gate is $10 per person, or $40 a carload.
BRING: Picnics, coolers and lawn chairs are welcome. No dogs. Wear sunscreen. Beer, wine, soft drinks and food also for sale on the grounds.