Horse racing is not more popular in the UK than in France in everyday life but there is a special race that more people follow as a big tradition: the Royal Ascot. The event goes on for a full week every year and is covered all day by the BBC as are major sport events like the World Cup, the Olympics or Wimbledon.
The Royal Ascot is followed by the Queen who comes everyday to watch the races as it is one of her passion. It has been a tradition that a lot of rich people come to show off. It is now all about dressing well: morning dress and top hat for the men and party dress and fabulous hats for ladies. The Thursday is know as Ladies day: photographers and journalists shoot the most attractive pieces of fashion for the readers in the tube on Friday.
I went to the Royal Ascot on Saturday with friends. It was the experimentation of a very British tradition for me. We all dress well: suits for men and dresses and hats for women. Because even in the lower stand, people show off. But, they might look posh and understated, they mainly come to enjoy an afternoon with friends while having a picnic and drinking. Drinking a lot actually... So, all that good looking people end completely pissed at the end of the day: the picture is quite hilarious. I guess this is part of the tradition as well...
It was also my first horse race experience. I have been well impressed by the size, the power and the speed of the animals. Just amazing. And to add some spices to the races, betting were open. I bet for the six races and won three times! Just enough to not lose any money in the end. I was well inspirated and advised by the Guardian.
And, as I say on the title of this article, the high point of the day was seeing the Queen for the first time of my life! As she comes everyday to the races, she is driven in a coach on the pitch where the horses race after. There is no roof so she can greet her people and we can see her. I am not British but I felt particularly touched to see her. She is THE Queen!
2 comments:
Lol! you make the British sound like a bunch of piss-heads!!
... and I don't think the Royal Ascot is as big as the Olympics, Wimbledon or the World Cup! The Grand National is Bigger! =P
No, they are not a bunch of piss-heads. Some are.
I do not really want to say the Royal Ascot is as big as the Olympics or the World Cup. I just want to show how important it is as it is very well covered on TV.
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