Amy Templeton, Murray Clayton, Marguerite Clayton, Bert Parrish, Tram Clark, Neal Clayton – Steeplechase
After a long week of rain, the sun came out bright and clear for the 72nd running of the Iroquois Steeplechase. For almost three decades this event in association with the Volunteer State Horsemen's Foundation has benefited the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. From the Iroquois Society party to the Paddock Club party, Dudley Cheadle and the Hunt Club party, box holders’ Mary Barnard – Steeplechase individual parties, and the infield celebrations (and yes, I attended all!), it was a day of thoroughbred horses, jockeys, socials dressed to kill, and the younger generation showing how creative they could be with an outdoor picnic. Members of the Iroquois Society enjoyed lunch on china and silver with linen napkins followed by ice cream served on silver platters. The box holders were seen with a lavish feast of chicken, tenderloin, pasta, shrimp, and of course a race-day punch! Social ladies were adorned in snappy sundresses with matching hats, but in my opinion this is a day when the social gentlemen steal the fashion show! At so many events that I attend, we men are in black or white tie and all look alike, but this certainly is not the case at the Steeplechase. From the silk pocket squares to the fancy socks, these social men know how to dress to impress, notably Richard Patton, Bill Andrews, Tom and Todd Cato, Fleming Wilt, Jere Ervin, Steve Fortunato, Grant Smothers (Grant was a runner-up in the Best Dressed Man contest), David Hitt, and Burk Lindsey. Speaking of the Best Dressed Man award, it was presented to my buddy and client Tom Ozburn in his colorful Clayton Collection attire and a custom-designed fedora by Carol Carr Millinery of Stacey Rhodes Boutique. I was so excited for Tom, I felt as if I had a winning horse in the haberdashery race. OK, I do not feel bad about not mentioning the lovely ladies, because for the upcoming months that is all you will read about and see at the Frist Gala and the Swan Ball, where once again all of us gents will look identical.
Alex Wade and Susan Walker – Steeplechase
Nancy Russell – Steeplechase
Alexander and Alma Franks, Lynn and Richard Byrd, Claudia Haney – Steeplechase
Lori and Tom Ozburn – Steeplechase
Joyce and David Hitt – Steeplechase
I was honored to attend what I have decided is the Patrons Party of this century honoring the Frist Gala. Denice and Milton Johnson hosted this most stunning evening in their home with additional host couples including Brenda Keith Gregg, Lisa and Steve Nix – and Joe Steakley, Trish and Steeplechase Tommy Frist, and Judy and Tom Foster. The current exhibit at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts is Rembrandt and the Dutch Golden Age. Using the exhibit as the theme of the patrons party, the seated dinner under a blue-and-white tent was all done in Delft blue by designers Terry White and Jayne Bubis. I love a party that carries out a theme as well as this one did. Denice Johnson shared with me that she is first-generation American, being that her parents are from Delft, Holland, in the Netherlands. From the centerpieces, which were Delft cachepots filled with white tulips, to the blue crystal to the wooden chandeliers painted to resemble Delft Porcelain, this was a knockout! Talk about details: upon entering the Johnsons’ home, the patrons were directed to the damask-covered dining room to receive miniature, reproduction masterpieces in gold frames with their name inscribed on the front and their table number on the reverse side. Now, friends, this was elegance at its finest. I cannot wait to share with you next month the details of the Frist Gala and the Swan Ball. Goedenavond (Dutch for "Good evening") for now.
So again on the second Saturday in May, as it has been for seventy-two years, this Nashville tradition continued to be a truly unique experience.
Brenda Black and Stephen Heard – Steeplechase
Back: Em, Kristen and George Crook Front: Wills, Anne Claire and David Crook – Steeplechase
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