ForumGarden

First of all, Thank You for your Interest off site about The Grand National and forthcoming Cheltenham Festival.

Now, If my memory serves me correctly, I believe It was Larsmarc who posted a thread a year ago about how US horse racing was on the decline and how race tracks were aiming toward slot machines etc etc.

So, I find the difference In attitudes to horse racing In the UK to that of the USA Interesting and this picture will show something about UK horse racing.

This pic was taken this morning by Tracey Roberts aka Turfpix at Nicky Henderson's yard at Seven Barrows. The horse Is Sprinter Sacre out for a trot but I'm very Interested, as you are American, as to see what Is the first thing you notice about this photograph. To me, It speaks volumes.

Click on pic to enlarge.

Attached files

First thing I see?

Wow! Some great cameras!

Not that it is the camera but the photographer behind it that makes all the difference....But then again I long to be a professional photographer.

Yet it leads me to my answer of what do I see.

I see Sprinter Sacre out for a trot and even thou there is no race there are photographers there to shoot his image; which in turn tells me that horses and horse racing is highly regarded and much in the view in the UK. Which in turns tells me that things are good; and that makes me more comfortable regarding the care of the horses.

I also see a beautiful horse that I would like to photograph!

How did I do?

:wah:

Lady J

Lady J;1449000 wrote: First thing I see?

Wow! Some great cameras!

Not that it is the camera but the photographer behind it that makes all the difference....But then again I long to be a professional photographer.

Yet it leads me to my answer of what do I see.

I see Sprinter Sacre out for a trot and even thou there is no race there are photographers there to shoot his image; which in turn tells me that horses and horse racing is highly regarded and much in the view in the UK. Which in turns tells me that things are good; and that makes me more comfortable regarding the care of the horses.

I also see a beautiful horse that I would like to photograph!

How did I do?

:wah:

Lady J


You got It right away !!!! That's damn good perception LJ !!!!

You are absolutely right.... there was a rumour that the horse may not make the Festival .... the amount of papparazzi you see In the pic, I am told was only half of the amount camped out on Henderson's yard waiting for the horse to be turned out for a trot.

Even the Kardashian's In this country would not get that amount of Papparazzi camped out on their doorsteps... but this Is a horse they are hoping to snap !!!

Here In the UK, horses, Jockeys, trainers, like this are worshipped. They have their own Facebook pages, Twitter etc etc.

On a race course, you can buy merchandise pertaining to your favourite horse. Scarves, badges, sweatshirts etc.

People like myself when going to the races, are not there so much to see the race per say but we queue for hours In the pre-parade ring just waiting to see the finest of equine athletes parade before the race. We also wait until the race Is finished to be In the winners enclosure as they return to give them a hero's welcome.

That I believe Is the difference between UK and USA racing. For us, It's all about the horses.

Glad you like Sprinter Sacre. He has a massive fan base here.

As for the way the horses are treated... If you have a moment, watch the video of the highlights of last years festival which Includes Sprinter. You can see the love for the horses In the the jockeys, the trainers and the adoring public.



2013 Full Festival Closer - YouTube

oscar;1449017 wrote: You got It right away !!!! That's damn good perception LJ !!!!

You are absolutely right.... there was a rumour that the horse may not make the Festival .... the amount of papparazzi you see In the pic, I am told was only half of the amount camped out on Henderson's yard waiting for the horse to be turned out for a trot.

Even the Kardashian's In this country would not get that amount of Papparazzi camped out on their doorsteps... but this Is a horse they are hoping to snap !!!

Here In the UK, horses, Jockeys, trainers, like this are worshipped. They have their own Facebook pages, Twitter etc etc.

On a race course, you can buy merchandise pertaining to your favourite horse. Scarves, badges, sweatshirts etc.

People like myself when going to the races, are not there so much to see the race per say but we queue for hours In the pre-parade ring just waiting to see the finest of equine athletes parade before the race. We also wait until the race Is finished to be In the winners enclosure as they return to give them a hero's welcome.

That I believe Is the difference between UK and USA racing. For us, It's all about the horses.

Glad you like Sprinter Sacre. He has a massive fan base here.

As for the way the horses are treated... If you have a moment, watch the video of the highlights of last years festival which Includes Sprinter. You can see the love for the horses In the the jockeys, the trainers and the adoring public.



2013 Full Festival Closer - YouTube


I have watched the video. thank you for sharing....I still wonder if the horses like this?

Lady J;1449214 wrote: I have watched the video. thank you for sharing....I still wonder if the horses like this? I won't go Into reams of horse syche but look at Wild Mustang and how they take flight. The syche of any horse Is to run with the herd.

No horse can be forced to race. If they are not happy, they will throw their jockey and bolt. They will refuse fences and even unseat their riders.

If there was ever any proof of this, then look no further than this horse Mad Moose

Mad Moose Tingle Creek - YouTube

So, Mad Moose does not like hanging out with the other horses, it seems.

Be curious what kind of social life he had, growing up. Did he not get to play with the other kids when he was young?

LarsMac;1449250 wrote: So, Mad Moose does not like hanging out with the other horses, it seems.

Be curious what kind of social life he had, growing up. Did he not get to play with the other kids when he was young? First of all let me state, I am no expert on horse syche.

Nigel-Twiston Davis Is one of the most adept and highly respected trainers In the UK. If he can't get him to race, then no-one can. It's so unfortunate because the horse Is devastating when he's In the mood. He performs well on the gallops at home but my own opinion for what little It's worth, Is he gets far too distracted on the course. Moose Isn't the only horse who refuses. There are many that bolt, throw the jockey or unseat them.

If any horse doesn't have the belief that his jockey will get him over a fence safely, he'll simply refuse or dip his shoulders and unseat the rider. It happens every day on race courses.

Sometimes, they just dislike a jockey

oscar;1449245 wrote: I won't go Into reams of horse syche but look at Wild Mustang and how they take flight. The syche of any horse Is to run with the herd.

No horse can be forced to race. If they are not happy, they will throw their jockey and bolt. They will refuse fences and even unseat their riders.

If there was ever any proof of this, then look no further than this horse Mad Moose

Mad Moose Tingle Creek - YouTube


Thank you Oscar for educating me. I should know better.

I have been reading your posts and see that Mad Moose has been retired and I also watched and saw him perform with splendor flying over the fences. I reckon it is all a frame of mind...with humans, with dogs and horses (except cats!!!!!) and many other animals.

We all have our own body language.

So with Mad Moose as your avatar are you saying you admire him for standing up for what he felt was in his best interest or are you just stubborn too! :wah:

Lady J;1449653 wrote: Thank you Oscar for educating me. I should know better.

I have been reading your posts and see that Mad Moose has been retired and I also watched and saw him perform with splendor flying over the fences. I reckon it is all a frame of mind...with humans, with dogs and horses (except cats!!!!!) and many other animals.

We all have our own body language.

So with Mad Moose as your avatar are you saying you admire him for standing up for what he felt was in his best interest or are you just stubborn too! :wah:


The physche of a horse goes deeper than that LJ....I remember when Gold Cup winner Denman was entered for a race In Ireland which was a right handed track, Even the greatest jumps jockey In the world, AP McCoy could not cajole him to swing left handed around the left handed track.

We get a lot of bad press especially around Grand National time.... and I always say this.... 18 hands of solid muscle and sinew capable of speeds of 45 mph being controlled by a man or woman on average, 4 ft 10 In height weighing 6 stone.... really !!!! It's an Impossibility.

As for Mad Moose... when he's been In the mood, he's devastating... even giving the great Sprinter Sacre a run for his money at Cheltenham and coming 2 nd to him.

He hasn't been retired, he's been banned by the British Horse Racing Authority for his ' behaviour' with a review In 9 months time. I say the same as all his fans In the Mad Moose fan club, that we don't care what he does, even If he loses us money, we just love the entertainment he gives us. Horses like Moose keep the sport alive. Without them, they all become brown jobbies. Most of our champion race horses have personalities all of their own. EG Tidal Bay who'll run In the Grand National will bite your face off as soon as look at you. Moose just does his own thing and we admire that :wah:

Wanted to show you this Lady J

Now many people believe the races Is all about getting drunk and shouting at the horses. Wrong. This short video Is the epitome of the dedicated horse racing fraternity.

This was at the Cheltenham Festival last week. This Is not the enclosures on the track. This Is the winners enclosure and this enormous crowd of people arrive very early In the morning to get a good place here. You'll notice toward the end of the video that the actual races are being watched on huge screens. We could go down to the Grandstand or down to the track to watch the races but people like me who are there to see the finest of Grade 1 equine athletes remain here hoping our favourite horses are going to win and be brought back to the fans. It's where we give them a hero's welcome on their return and the chance to cheer the legends racing that day. Along with the chance to cheer new legends In the making If they win a race. It's an emotional place to be because this Is not about the race... It's all about the horse. You can feel the adoration for the horses.

This was the winners enclosure as Quevega ( The wonder mare) made history last week.

"Supporting British Racing"...the banner on the building says it all.

Yes the crowd is huge and all cheering with a hip-hip-horary! I would imagine the joy of celebration feels especially exciting when you admire the beauty of it.

thank you Oscar....McOscar for sharing!

BTW....why the Mc? Are we celebrating something?

Lady J;1451014 wrote: "Supporting British Racing"...the banner on the building says it all.

Yes the crowd is huge and all cheering with a hip-hip-horary! I would imagine the joy of celebration feels especially exciting when you admire the beauty of it.

thank you Oscar....McOscar for sharing!

BTW....why the Mc? Are we celebrating something?


Ask Bruv.... It's all his fault :wah::wah::wah: