Where: Paris, Saint-Germain What: Boutique Hotel First of all, I…
My perfect day at Berlin’s racecourse Hoppegarten
What: „Grand Prize of Berlin“
Where: Racecourse Hoppegarten, Berlin
Last weekend the highlight of the season, the „Grand Prize of Berlin“, took place at the Berlin racecourse Hoppegarten. A trip to Germany‘s biggest and most beautifully turf with its 145 years of tradition needs specifically preparations. Particularly the most elegant lady should be nominated by a jury due to the 126th international champion-race. An incentive. Not only for the high-quality horses and jockeys.
Because the motto on such a day is called “Spruce yourself up”. I chose a dress in pastel tones of Dolce Gabbana, which I shopped many years ago at Theresa, one of my favorite shops in Munich. However in a horse race, the essential feature of an outfit is the namely elegant headwear. To me in this matter there is only one address in Berlin worth considering: Fiona Bennett’s Hat Palace.
Tadaa, let the games begin: Glorious weather with bright blue sky in Berlin and a great visitor rush in Hoppegarten. Well protected with a gold-colored ribbons-creation, I walk past the snow-white Toto house in my Peep-Toes over the crunching gravel to the red bricked clubhouse, from whose VIP terrace – the former imperial grandstand – I observe the individual races with salmon fillet and strawberry tart. And of course I also inspect one or the other lady of the Berlin and Potsdam Society with their headdresses. And I got to see a lot!
The mood in Hoppegarten is wonderful. People lying in fresh-mown grass with picnic baskets, you stroll, you bet. I also tip, once I back a horse for place and once I back for a win. Unfortunately without success, but at least with a small monetary commitment. Whilst drinking a glass of champagne I’m telling myself that being there and taking part is everything.
Suddenly I’m on stage as one of the nominated women for the “Prize for Elegance”. What an Honor! How exciting! Finding the right words when a microphone is held under your nose worked out fine. Only not with the first prize. This one goes to the lady in green. Applause. And as I said, being there is everything.
Finally resonates the starting signal the highlight of the day, the “Grand Prize of Berlin” over a distance of 2,400 meters. Now I would also like a pair of binoculars to spot the galloping horses in the distance. The exceptional stallion “Protectionist” wins with its jockey Eduardo Pedroza and two and a half lengths lead. Its owner can look forward to the prize money of 110,000 Euros. And his wife to the “Prize for Elegance”. What a great luck, believe it or not. BvH
Info Hoppegarten:
Hoppegarten looks back on an exciting past. Founded in 1868, Hoppegarten counted as the most important German racecourse, which attracted up to 40.000 visitors, until the First World War. After reunification investors were sought, who should awaken the traditional racetrack with new life. 2008 the former fund manager Gerhard Schönigh, who lived in London, took over the racecourse. He renovated the historic racecourse, which is nowadays a natural and historical monument. Now every year take up to eleven days of racing place, which also attract international racing teams. With 430 hectares Hoppegarten is Germany’s biggest racecourse