The Virginia Gold Cup Runneth Over

I don't consider myself a horsey person ... maybe that's because I've never been on a horse. But a trip to The Plains at Great Meadow in Va. the first Saturday of every May for the Virginia Gold Cup has become another lifestyle ritual of spring. It could be the beautiful country grounds, the pageantry of spring hats, the spectacular tailgating that I help judge and photograph, magnificent horses ... did I mention the mint juleps -- especially those made at the Vella party spot along the rail in the Paddock Parking (that's the Vella ladies in the foto). And the Hemingway cigar from the cigar dude Alvaro Rodriguez was a nice touch. Blogger Sarah Meyer Walsh (see foto) is The District Domestic and she didn't look quite so domestic in her stunning vintage dress, boa and of course the hat to bring it all together (that's about the extent of my fashion critique, but I do know Sarah had it all together). And did I mention that the Vellas make the best mint julep.

Yes, there were horses running and jumping and jockeys riding and falling. Ah, spring and mint juleps ... and The Virginia Gold Cup.