2014 Atlanta Steeplechase

Saturday, April 19, 2014

I headed up to Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday to capture images of the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase. One of the biggest horse races in the metro area, the steeplechase event brought out hundreds of horse enthusiasts to watch the five sanctioned races as horses galloped and jumped hurdles around the two mile track. The onlookers were dressed to the nines with women in dresses and hats and men smoking cigars and wearing bowties as they lined the infield and turns to watch the races. There were parades, camel rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, games, skydivers, food, drinks, retriever demonstrations, and even an Easter egg hunt. It was quite an event and my first chance to capture an actual horse race. See what you think…

Anna Newton -Levinson (left) puts her arm around Josh Wells as they sit with Todd Hunter and his wife Vanessa during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Anna Newton -Levinson (left) puts her arm around Josh Wells as they sit with Todd Hunter and his wife Vanessa during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Mallory Jones (left) talks with Kristian Westmoreland, Caroline Bagwell, Kendyl Westmoreland and Kate Garner during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Mallory Jones (left) talks with Kristian Westmoreland, Caroline Bagwell, Kendyl Westmoreland and Kate Garner during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Victoria Garofalo (left) holds her mother Dianne as they have a photo taken during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Victoria Garofalo (left) holds her mother Dianne as they have a photo taken during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Brian Szczech (right) and his black lab Chili give a retriever demonstration during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Brian Szczech (right) and his black lab Chili give a retriever demonstration during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Denise Dawsey parachutes to the ground during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Denise Dawsey parachutes to the ground during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Christopher Shankwiler (left), Jake Wright and William Barre pick up Easter eggs during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Christopher Shankwiler (left), Jake Wright and William Barre pick up Easter eggs during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Hounds from Bear Creek Hounds round the track with owner Graham Buston during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Hounds from Bear Creek Hounds round the track with owner Graham Buston during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

The Budweiser Clydesdales pass by the crowd on the infield during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

The Budweiser Clydesdales pass by the crowd on the infield during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Danielle Yucius watches the races from the infield fence during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Danielle Yucius watches the races from the infield fence during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Jockey Robert Walsh (center green) rides Mystery Jack as they lead the field down a straightaway in the Goose Island Beer Co. Maiden Claiming Hurdle during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Jockey Robert Walsh (center green) rides Mystery Jack as they lead the field down a straightaway in the Goose Island Beer Co. Maiden Claiming Hurdle during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Bess Kelley (left) talks with Lauren Hagler during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Bess Kelley (left) talks with Lauren Hagler during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Jockey Bernard Dalton rides Love of Flying as they clear a hurdle in the Goose Island Beer Co. Maiden Claiming Hurdle during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Jockey Bernard Dalton rides Love of Flying as they clear a hurdle in the Goose Island Beer Co. Maiden Claiming Hurdle during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Rachel Jordan (center) and Lisa Boylan raise their hats in the air as they ride a camel led by Elijah Parrish during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Rachel Jordan (center) and Lisa Boylan raise their hats in the air as they ride a camel led by Elijah Parrish during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Jockey Jeff Murphy (left) rides Broxbourne as they lead the field in the Estates at Serenity Farm/Enghouse Transportation Sport of Kings Maiden Hurdle during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Jockey Jeff Murphy (left) rides Broxbourne as they lead the field in the Estates at Serenity Farm/Enghouse Transportation Sport of Kings Maiden Hurdle during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Will Hester looks onto the track as he walks next to it during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Will Hester looks onto the track as he walks next to it during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Kylie James (left) has her cigar lit by Cassia Adams during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Kylie James (left) has her cigar lit by Cassia Adams during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Jockey Jeff Murphy rides Broxbourne as they clear a hurdle in the Estates at Serenity Farm/Enghouse Transportation Sport of Kings Maiden Hurdle during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Jockey Jeff Murphy rides Broxbourne as they clear a hurdle in the Estates at Serenity Farm/Enghouse Transportation Sport of Kings Maiden Hurdle during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Ann Marie King wears a bright blue peacock hat during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Ann Marie King wears a bright blue peacock hat during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Caleb Thompson (left) and his cousin R.J. Woodrome ride a camel during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Caleb Thompson (left) and his cousin R.J. Woodrome ride a camel during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Jockey Harry Haynes rides Hiwasee Gem as they clear a hurdle in the Coca-Cola Refreshments Georgia Cup during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Jockey Harry Haynes rides Hiwasee Gem as they clear a hurdle in the Coca-Cola Refreshments Georgia Cup during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Jockey Robert Walsh (left) rides Kisser N Run as they lead the field towards the finish line in the Coca-Cola Refreshments Georgia Cup during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Jockey Robert Walsh (left) rides Kisser N Run as they lead the field towards the finish line in the Coca-Cola Refreshments Georgia Cup during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Audrey Stubblefield (right) nuzzles against her mother Whitney as they watch the races during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Audrey Stubblefield (right) nuzzles against her mother Whitney as they watch the races during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Jockey Robert Walsh crosses the finish line on Kisser N Run in the Coca-Cola Refreshments Georgia Cup during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Jockey Robert Walsh crosses the finish line on Kisser N Run in the Coca-Cola Refreshments Georgia Cup during the 49th Annual Running of the Atlanta Steeplechase At Kingston Downs in Rome on Saturday, April 19, 2014.