Buhay Pinoy ...: LADIES DAY AT ASCOT

Who says life in Abuja is dull? Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria is a safe and fun place for expatriates. Just a sample of an event, the FIRST of its kind, took place last Saturday 9th of May, 2009.

LADIES DAY AT ASCOT

The invitation reads as follows:

Bet you’ll have a good day out at
LADIES DAY AT ASCOT
A race for Charity will be happening on
Saturday 9th May 2009
From 5.00 pm onwards
Under the Marquee at
Abuja Horse Club Jabi Lake
Dress Code: Ladies – formal (with HAT!)
Gentlemen: Red Sea Rig

Racing, Live entertainment, Surprises… an evening of FUN! FUN! FUN!

And FUN IT WAS!!!

There were 14 ‘Horses’ at the ‘Stable’ – each table is assigned a horse to race namely:
Tables: Horses
1 Babblelute
2 Cadillac Jack
3 Daddy’s Dollars
4 Easy Rider
5 Excalibur
6 Gotta-Go
7 Huckle Berry
8 Jezzabelle
9 Scooby Dooby Doo
10 Misty Moon
11 Zippy Chippie
12 Xrated
13 Traveler’s Delight
14 Wild Eye

There was a heavy downpour in the morning. Looked gloomy. But knowing Abuja weather, the organizers weren’t worried a bit. True enough, the weather cleared in the early afternoon. An auspicious time for the celebration ahead.
The marquee was well-arranged. 7 tables in both sides with the ‘race course’ in the middle duly ‘fenced’ for the spectators to watch, to bet, to cheer and encourage their riders - 6 lanes for 6 riders for each race.
Each table has two bottles of red and two bottles of white wine and two bottles of water.
GDN Nig. Ltd. provided a free glass of Champagne.
The buffet style dinner was catered by Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
Ice cream has been generously donated by Bon Ice Cream.

By 5:00 pm, the ladies and gentlemen for the races arrived.

We are at Table 5. Excalibur is our ‘steed.’
The ceremonies began.
‘Bettors’ queued. ‘Bookers’ were busy explaining (although it was already announced) – a ticket costs 500Naira - 5 tickets bet for a single horse attracted N2000 (a free ticket discount). We joined the queue and betted for Excalibur.

The races started.. The jockeys readied themselves at the ‘start line.’ Complete with jackets and caps representing the colour of the ‘steed,’ our jockey, Stephan Euchenhofer is in Lane 2 for Excalibur.

The dice was rolled. Our ‘jockey’ whipped Excalibur and it moved 6 paces! Exhilarated, our voices rose shouting ‘encouragement’ . Other ‘bettors’ joined to encourage their ‘horses’ – o yeah… ‘tails wagging and heads bobbing,’ the horses ‘leaped’ and as the dice continued to roll, spectators became a little bit ‘frenzied’ – and laughter and voices rose – till the ‘steed’ in lane 1 reached the finish line!

I could have taken a picture of a ‘steed’ – unfortunately, it couldn’t stay still!
Let me just describe how a horse at this race look like:
…the head looks like a horse, complete with eyes, ears, nose and profile and a little mane, attached to a rod which is in turn attached to a broom – the type we use to sweep the ground! Got the picture?

A band played between races. Superb entertainment. Yeah, not a dull moment – what with Mr. Brij Bowry being the MC/ commentator of the event…
And the fun continued till past midnight. Food was superb. And ice cream, too. Champagne kept flowing.

The organizers announced (due to its success) may make this as a yearly event.
The beneficiary of this race for charity is the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent De Paul. at F.C.T. They run the Kubwa hospital and also undertake other social endeavors in Nigeria and throughout the world.

As Mme. Shirley Bowry predicted: ‘Ladies Day at Ascot will be an epic night of great memories!’

To the Organizers:
Ernie Dragoo, Shirley Bowry, Mary-Lou Herron and Lola Lundgren – BRAVO!!!
(many times over!)

A ‘Ladies Day At Ascot’ indeed!

Event organizers Mrs. Lola Lundgren and Mrs. Shirley Bowry

THE LADIES AT THE RACE

Maebs & Martina Kormos of JBN

'Godfather Daniel' at the 'race,' also of D & S

Vangee Novio of Dantata & Sawoe

Mrs. Billy Milic of the Swedish Embassy

...who says 'riding' & 'drinking' don't mix?...

...that must be our 'Excalibur!!!'

hi yah Lady...not even close... ride on...

Mr. & Mrs. Euchenhofer

don't be fooled...that very correct waiter is Daniel Hodapp in charge of the Logistics section of Dantata & Sawoe 'serving' Dr. Biermann also of D & S