Why was this allowed to happen???

[brockguy]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

Yeah, its just part of the the game with these chasers. You have to be ready for several of them to go down from tripping or exhaustion each race. Its all just part of the sport. Horrific spills and death are the norm and are accepted in each race.

why would anyone want to question whether it was advisable to let a 15 year old horse race more than 2 miles over jumps when he was off over one year with leg injuries and had been pulled up in his three previous races?
i guess the standard is as long as they're still standing, send 'em on in there.

Im sure your opinion of this sport would change if you spent a year here in Ireland or the UK..

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by brockguy

Im sure your opinion of this sport would change if you spent a year here in Ireland or the UK..

how so? explain.

i really kinda doubt it. I try to keep an open mind to things, and have given the sport a look. I just find it unappealing to see horses falling and dying in each race.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

how so? explain.

i really kinda doubt it. I try to keep an open mind to things, and have given the sport a look. I just find it unappealing to see horses falling and dying in each race.

I feel the same way, not a big fan of watching an event where multiple horses are going to fall every race.

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

I feel the same way, not a big fan of watching an event where multiple horses are going to fall every race.

When I try to watch I find myself just holding my breath and tensing up on every jump, hoping that they all make it over.

[brockguy]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

how so? explain.

i really kinda doubt it. I try to keep an open mind to things, and have given the sport a look. I just find it unappealing to see horses falling and dying in each race.

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....

[NoChanceToDance]

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....

I completely agree. Although i prefer flat racing but most of my friends prefer the jumping game. It is a way of life in many areas of the UK and throughout most of Ireland.

It's much easier to be connected to when living over here. I'm sure American perceptions would change if they lived across the pond for a while.

[Scurlogue Champ]

Horrific spills and death are the norm and are accepted in each race.

Slanderous lecher!!!

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by moodwalker

Slanderous lecher!!!

You'll be hearing from my attorney.

[King Glorious]

Horses come back from long layoffs all the time to race at the highest levels. Precisionist and Da Hoss come to mind. Sure, they weren't 15 yrs old but from what I understand, that's not an uncommon age to race these kinds of horses. Obviously, he was in good enough shape to still compete. What should be an outrage is the other horses that couldn't beat this old horse. Maybe they are the ones that shouldn't be allowed on the track.

How did Mr Nickerson die? Exogenous?

[ArlJim78]

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....

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.