2023 Grand National April 22, 2023 - Earth Day

Earth Day, 2023, Somewhere off Butler Road.

Steeplechases are, by design, in cahoots with nature. The courses are set amongst the rolling fields of Maryland, with horizons that end in trees, not in skylines. The undulations of the hills determine the placement of fences and turns, not the other way around. The races are rain or shine, the food and beverage entirely self-serve (sort of), and safety not guaranteed.

The grey skies forced an urgency on the day. The race briefing was expedited, everyone in places early, and after a quick few checks, the first race of the day, the 120th Grand National kicked off somewhere around 2.00 pm, about 45 minutes early.

I watched as the guests of the house neighboring the course, for years host to a grand picnic that adjourned in time for the namesake Grand National, actually missed the Grand National. This is not a day for leisurely strolls, it’s serious business.

The Rain

And then the rain came. It felt like half of the crowd either left, or just disappeared into their cars for the duration. Cell phones barely work out there, so I’d like to think everyone carried on spirited conversations, but the truth is the leftovers were the smartest of all, mucking about in the wet grass and mud, huddled in tents with friends, and waiting for it all to pass. A man I know, who knows these things, told me The Grand National is most neighborhood-y of the races. The Manor Races may be bigger, and at the Hunt Cup most of the crowd has no idea what horse is racing, nor who is riding. But here everyone is a diehard fan.

It was pouring. A colleague of mine from my day job had joined me for the day, but I was very honest with him - I would not be a good host. While he was amongst the crowd hiding in automobiles, I was running around trying not to destroy my camera in the rain. The truth of it is, everyone looked happy as ever, satisfied to be in the elements, appreciative of friends close and far, and grateful for another day in the saddle or on the course. What better way to enjoy Earth Day but outside in the rain whose only electronic needs is a loudspeaker, and even that broke for a while, which was fine.