11/28 (AQU): Demoiselle/Remsen (Gr. II); Hill 'n' Dale Cigar (Gr. I)

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by sumitas

Riot is spot on . Report what was happening instead of silence and cutting the tv shots away from the accidents .

so you would rather they kept the camera on the horse, perhaps while it's suffering, and blathered on about myriad ways a horse can break down? yes, everyone wants to know about the horse-mainly if it's ok-but how often do we complain about a rush to say something, only to have 'news' reports turn out wrong?

it doesn't matter really what they do, you can't please everyone obviously-so there'll always be complaints from someone. so, personally i'd rather they be cautious, respectful, and tell us what they can when they can. everyone watching knows what it means when a jock pulls a horse up, he's in distress for some reason. i'd imagine they'll tell you when they can, no one is trying to keep state secrets or anything.

[AeWingnut]

Originally Posted by Danzig

so you would rather they kept the camera on the horse, perhaps while it's suffering, and blathered on about myriad ways a horse can break down? yes, everyone wants to know about the horse-mainly if it's ok-but how often do we complain about a rush to say something, only to have 'news' reports turn out wrong?

it doesn't matter really what they do, you can't please everyone obviously-so there'll always be complaints from someone. so, personally i'd rather they be cautious, respectful, and tell us what they can when they can. everyone watching knows what it means when a jock pulls a horse up, he's in distress for some reason. i'd imagine they'll tell you when they can, no one is trying to keep state secrets or anything.

exactly. This isn't NASCAR. I don't go to the races to watch breakdowns.

[Linny]

BTW is right. They broadcast (I presume) from a studio, with a fixed camera. Unlike ESPN or even TVG which has mobile cameras and mobile mics, Jason and Andy (and to a lesser extent, Jan) are in one spot only. They don't have the ability to send a man out to the scene or to get comments from the vet or others tending the horse or rider. They can't report anything that is not an official release from the press office.
I do agree that a simple comment from Tom, "X appears to have pulled up in distress and is being tended to..." would be appropriate.
When a rider falls, it's clear from his voice that Tom (and John as well) is often shaken. If the rider gets up, he usually mentions it. As much as I love horses, I can't equate human and animal injury. That said, a single sentence from the one person with the best vantage point, would at least acknowledge what has happened.

[Travis Stone]

You can only speak to what you know. If I'm calling a race and I see a rider stand-up after a spill I will often say, "Pleased to report that [name] is on his feet and has appeared to escape serious injury for the moment." The same for a horse if he/she is up and galloping around with no significant issues apparent. I truly cannot say anything beyond that and doing so would be inappropriate. Word on the health and status of a jockey or horse needs to be official word - and I think this all applies to the events of yesterday.