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Originally Posted by brockguy
i respect you alot and I know you follow racing worldwide.. However, I dont think you fully understand how deep steeplechase racing is part of this part's culture, heritage, community etc.. For example, alot of the horses that go out hunting also race on the track as well.. Racing over jumps is such a local event that it really has to be seen to be appreciated..
MMSC's article highlights the unfortunate aspect of older horses dying.. its very unfortunate, but all racing has that type of element to it that makes it so bittersweet. Steeplechase racing does have enough accidents and falls, but only a very small amount of these accidents result in horses being put down - not each race as you wrongly suggested>. Its extremely sad when these things happen and it does remind everyone how brave and courageous these animals are.. For example, the two biggest cheers at the punchestown festival last week were for a 14yo and a 13yo..
These horses are well looked after and most are treated extremely well when they do retire as they approach their teens (some as shown by the examples above race on!). Where would they be if they didnt have jump racing as an option - they'd be nowhere....
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Well I don't question at all how deeply it is rooted in the culture, and I don't exactly understand how my percption of the races themselves would be changed by knowing the local culture. I know that its part of the culture and people love it. I don't question that part. That much is obvious to me. Seeing how much people get into it piqued my interest and I have watched it on TVG early Saturday mornings over here. I'm sure its an exagerration on my part to say there are falls every race, but if i try to fairly estimate it I would say for sure its more than half of the races I have watched. I know sometimes they just roll and there is no great sustained injuries, but still. It just gives me the impression of being almost cruel, the distance, combined with the jumps, towards the end of the races you can see that the horses are so tired that it enhances the chances that they are going to miss the jump. The only good point is that they are running rather slow so it lessens the risk of injury. The fast dirt racing over here is also inherently dangerous.
I just feel that we should look after them, and give the old-timers who have been good warriors a break when they seem to be on the decline.
Anyway, thanks for your comments, its just a matter of taste and preference I guess.