Ready. Set. Go.

For most, spring is here when flowers, showers and allergies arrive. For some, spring begins when colorful jockey silks gallop on brawny thoroughbreds in one of the most coveted sport festivals in the South.

On April 25, thousands of people will travel to Kingston to witness the countryside along the Etowah River become the entertainment ground known as the 44th Annual Atlanta Steeplechase.

The all-day celebration includes air shows, hat parades, raffle contests and several horse races.

More than 200 years ago, the first steeplechase took place in England as horses ran between two church steeples over natural ground. In 1966, the tradition travelled across the Atlantic and arrived in Atlanta.

Today, the exhilarating horse race stretches approximately five acres and is designed to mimic the first steeplechase.

More than three years ago, the Atlanta Steeplechase celebration became associated with the University after a client of the University’s animal hospital mentioned the College of Veterinary Medicine to the board members, said Kathy Bangle, director of development for the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Since then, proceeds from Georgia’s most exciting horse racing competition have gone toward funds to assist in the construction of a new teaching hospital for the college.

“Right now, we have only 96 students in our classroom because that’s all we have room for,” said Tracy Giese, coordinator of public relations for the College of Veterinary Medicine. “There aren’t enough vets in the country to take care of the needs of the nation.”

There are 28 veterinary schools in the country, and the University’s vet school is approximately 150,000 square feet smaller than other veterinary schools.

The demand is challenging and the current situation places the University at a “terrible disadvantage,” Giese said.

“We have some of the finest clinicians in the country working at that college, but we’re absolutely jammed,” said Phil Good, a veterinary student from Marietta. “It’s really difficult to work with someone standing right behind you.”

“The new hospital would really help facilitate learning because we won’t feel rushed or cramped,” he said.

Good will volunteer for the second time at this year’s Atlanta Steeplechase. He describes the hat parade and horse races as the most memorable moments of the previous year’s celebration.

“They probably spend weeks or months on perfecting these hats,” Good said. “The race itself is incredible – those horses are so big and majestic.”

During the festival, 1,000 raffle tickets will be sold at $100 each for a chance at a new Mercedes Benz SLK350 among other prizes.