The Old Gray Mare

Was It Horse Racing or Was It Simply Gambling?



Posted: Wednesday, November 16, 2011

by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com

Throughout many centuries, horse racing has been the primary equestrian sport in the world. It remains ever popular although, in my personal opinion, it has mostly become the side show to the betting and gambling rage.

It was entirely too disconcerting when I last attended a whole day of horse racing. As I talk about that now, it is unimportant where or when I went or if the race card that day was a major event. I came away with one major thought – that I will never again attend races.

That feeling has nothing whatsoever to do with winning or losing on the horses. It simply has to do with the purpose or reason most people were there that day. The horses were the implements, the “them” that were the source of the entertainment, yet no one really bothered to watch the race(s). People were there to bet and, hopefully, come away with the win – the B-I-G win.

OK I can understand that. But for goodness sakes, at least watch the race!race horse number 3       race horse race horse number 2Nope, all the bettors – and that was everyone attending – were jammed into the building watching the screens, listening to the call, and either jumping up and down with insane joy or getting disgusted. Never did any of them observe, glance or probably even realize that there were living creatures, jockeys and others involved on the other side of the big doors.

I observed this behavior during the first three races as I went out to watch and saw nearly empty stands. It wasn’t raining and it certainly wasn’t like the Kentucky Derby where people watched, cheered and at least participated in some fashion. The stands were almost empty as in no one. There were a few people standing near the “winner’s circle” that were grooms and trainers.

By the fourth race I was getting disgusted with this whole scene.

By the fifth race I was ready to leave.

And, by the sixth race, I had convinced the others, also horse loving and mostly show people, to leave.

We left the track.

Well, of course, being the way I am, I kept spouting off about this. I told my friends that we just witnessed why The Connecticut Horse Council refused to endorse Off Track Betting. Never had I imagined the lack of interest in the horses, their welfare, their very existence in this “entertainment.”

No matter. I have strong feelings and, for me, it is best to stay way.

I went away from the horse track that day and have never returned. For certain, I will never go again. The Old Gray Mare of DressYourHorse.com

The Old Gray Mare is a horse lover and writes for her Blog sites and also www.DressYourHorse.com. She is a regular participating writer on WryteStuff.com
Heidi Rucki brings expertise as a horsewoman, dog lover and stained glass/mosaic artist. She is an accomplished freelance writer in the horse industry. Writing online as The Old Gray Mare, many of her current articles can be found on www.DressYourHorse.com. In the past, Rucki wrote for numerous horse organizations including The Connecticut Horse Council. She took early retirement from Phoenix Home Life where she wrote mutual fund prospectuses and was responsible for their submissions to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Old Gray Mare writes to share knowledge and her love of horses for everyone but especially for novice and new horse owners. Besides her two main websites, she has recently published three new blog sites. Of those, her favorite is www.BeautyOfHorses.com.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by elle kynzer
 184 days ago.
32 fans. Follow elle kynzer on twitter!
Many moons ago (decades) I went to a greyhound dog race in Florida, same scenario...racing for most people has to do with gambling. Something that I agree with you is disgusting.
» left by The Old Gray Mare 183 days 23 hours ago.
53 fans. Follow The Old Gray Mare on twitter!
I was actually pretty shocked. It was so different than the big races where people are actually watching the races. Anyway, I had enough. Never again. In trying to get my voice back (write), I decided to write the racing bits. But today, my blood is boiling over because this whole damn horse slaughter thing is up again. They're either trying to sneak it in as a rider of some kind or they are now blatantly calling it for the horses' welfare.
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