County commissioners are considering a $100,000 donation to give a revival of the Tanglewood Cup Steeplechase a jump start as organizers shoot for a May 8 running of the horses.
If approved, the county donation would go to the Tanglewood Equestrian Association, a nonprofit group formed to raise money to promote equestrian activities at the park. Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the request Dec. 21.
The association has submitted a proposed budget to the county that projects that the event will bring in about $336,000 more than expenses, allowing the group to fully repay the county's donation.
According to the grant resolution commissioners are considering, if the revenue falls short of projections but still puts the event in the black, the excess revenue would go back to the county. The association must also repay the county if for some reason the steeplechase doesn't take place.
Assistant County Manager Damon Sanders-Pratt told county commissioners Thursday that the revenues from the steeplechase would benefit the parks system.
The equestrian association would still be renting a section of the park to hold the event, even if the group gets a donation from the county. The association's budget projects revenues of about $695,000 and expenses of about $360,000.
"They have presented their projected budget to accomplish a successful event and we hope that they do that," Sanders-Pratt said. "In subsequent years if they are successful enough, they will continue to do it."
Commissioner Ted Kaplan, who has long promoted the idea of bringing back the steeplechase, told commissioners that a state law passed in the 1940s prevents the county from actually putting on a horse race. That's why the equestrian association must enter a deal with the county to carry out the event.
Kaplan is on the equestrian-association board but has no conflict of interest participating in a vote for the $100,000 grant, said Davida Martin, the county attorney.
The steeplechase drew crowds of more than 20,000 in the 1980s, but attendance later fell when the event gained notoriety for drinking and rowdy behavior. The last race was run in 2002.
This time around, organizers say they're planning for a "family-friendly" event including free admission for children under 12. Shannon Dubuisson, the steeplechase director, said that if things go as hoped, the event would do even better than projected in the budget.
wyoung@wsjournal.com
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