“The 87th Carolina Cup from a Vet’s Perspective “
CAMDEN, S.C. – It’s a misty spring morning in April of 2022. The sound of bleating horses and stamping hooves fills your ears as your eyes focus on the stables around you. These are the sights and sounds that Dr. Jeff Witwer experiences as he starts his day at the Carolina Cup. Dr. Witwer is the Lasix veterinarian for the Carolina Cup, and he has been for over 20 years. Lasix is a diuretic that is roughly 70-75% effective at preventing blood and mucus from building up in horses’ lungs, a condition that is extremely prevalent in racing horses.
From 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Dr. Witwer meticulously tends to each horse on the course, adhering to stringent equestrian rules. During the first three races of the day, he manages three injuries—one serious and two minor. Between races, he administers Phenylbutazone, a pain-relieving anti-inflammatory, to horses needing it and conducts endoscopic nasal exams to check for blood or mucus in their lungs, an extra measure requested by owners but not required by the Cup’s rules. As the day winds down, Dr. Witwer wraps up final conversations with owners and handlers, packs his van, and reflects on the day’s events—both the successes and the challenges—while preparing for the remaining 15 race weekends of the season across the East Coast
Jordan Del Priore
My name is Jordan Del Priore, and I am a senior visual communications major graduating next month. My passion for photography began in the spring of 2015 when I started using my dad’s Canon 70D to capture images of cars. I now work with a Canon 6D, equipped with a Canon 24-105mm f/4 and a Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 lens, and edit my photos using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. While automotive photography remains my primary interest, I am also exploring portrait photography, photojournalism, and enhancing my skills in astrophotography.
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