To most in Middleburg and The Plains, you say Gold Cup and people instantly know what you are talking about—that grand spring tradition and fixture on the area social calendar when tailgates, big hats and 40,000 of your closest friends converge around the best steeplechasers taking on the toughest timber course in Virginia. This year, however, a few local residents got the chance to join racing legend Billy Turner on a trip to a different Gold Cup—the Sandy Lane Gold Cup in Barbados.

The Sandy Lane Gold Cup is a premiere racing event in the Caribbean and is the place to be the first Saturday in March. Originally a competition to find the fastest horse in the islands, it has grown into a $100,000, Grade 1 race contested over 9 furlongs on the quirky turf course at Barbados' Garrison Savannah. Throw in the bands, island dancers, unparalleled rum drinks, generous hosts and it's no wonder this festive event draws horses and spectators alike from far afield.

The group's escape from our winter of record snowfall to a land of sunny skies, sleek horses and umbrella drinks had its origins at a polo match last summer in The Plains, where long time resident Jessica Rich and fiancé Tom Gorman struck up a conversation with Barbados Ambassador John Beale. Turns out that Ambassador Beale (who conveniently travels with a bottle of fine Barbados rum) is a big fan of horse sports and enjoys getting out of the Washington environs whenever possible to spend a day in the countryside. He sees a connection between the deep-rooted equestrian traditions of Virginia and the passion for horses found in his home country.

Many know that Barbados is blessed with delightful weather, pink sand beaches and placid turquoise water, yet few are aware of its thriving equestrian scene. The island has been home to racing since 1845 and, more recently, has also developed in to a top-notch destination for the polo set. The 21 x 14 mile island boasts five world-class polo fields, and, in January, hosted the Sentebale Cup—headlined by Prince Harry at the spectacular Apes Hill Polo Club.

Tom suggested that it might be interesting for Jessica's step-father, Billy Turner—who trained 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew and began his illustrious career right here in Middleburg training for Hickory Tree, Mrs. Randolph and others—to attend the Barbados Gold Cup and talk horseracing with other trainers and owners. Maybe he could even dust off the Triple Crown Trophy and bring it along. The Ambassador really liked the idea, as did Barbados Turf Club president Sir David Seale—the start of a cultural exchange around a shared love of the equestrian lifestyle was in the making.

Barbados pulled out all the stops, flying the Turners (and the trophy) first-class on American Airlines, putting them up at the incomparable Sandy Lane Hotel and inviting the American contingent to enjoy the races from private boxes in the Turf Club. Bill's wife Patti Turner gushed, "The four days spent in beautiful Barbados was an experience we will never forget. There is a genuine love of horseracing there and their big day was full of enthusiasm, pageantry and some very competitive races."

Encouraged by the success of the Gold Cup visit and confident of his island's natural and cultural assets, the Ambassador is looking to invite a larger group next year and add some polo matches to round out a lavish weekend of horses, sun and, of course, plenty of rum. Also in the works are plans to bring some folks from Barbados to participate in one or more of the Washington-area polo events this season. He sees the exchange as "a terrific way to raise awareness of all that Barbados has to offer, and connect people who share a passion for horses and the equestrian lifestyle".