Funny, Considering the Number of Entries I Thought He Retired Years Ago

[Riot]

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

So when did you join PETA?

That statement makes no contextual sense whatsoever.

[ArlJim78]

count me as one who didn't know he was still training.

Originally Posted by Riot

That statement makes no contextual sense whatsoever.

Coming from someone who used welfare and jumps trainer in the same post I'll take that as a compliment.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Coming from someone who used welfare and jumps trainer in the same post I'll take that as a compliment.

Ahhh ... so you think jumping horses is cruel?

Originally Posted by Riot

Ahhh ... so you think jumping horses is cruel?

I have a problem with you speaking for Dickinson. His first priority is the welfare of his horses? Really? Let's be honest with ourselves...if his first priority was the welfare of horses he wouldn't be in a business where they are put at risk.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Let's be honest with ourselves...if his first priority was the welfare of horses he wouldn't be in a business where they are put at risk.

Tough to argue with this.

Dickinson's first priority is to make money. There is nothing wrong with this. However, this is the important point that seems to be being glossed over. Mr. Dickinson can, does, and will make a great deal of money from the proliferation of synthetic surfaces. His second priority is to enable his first priority to be successful.

The overall welfare of horses is way down the actual list of his priorities.

[Riot]

Dickinson's first priority is to make money. There is nothing wrong with this. However, this is the important point that seems to be being glossed over. Mr. Dickinson can, does, and will make a great deal of money from the proliferation of synthetic surfaces. His second priority is to enable his first priority to be successful.

The overall welfare of horses is way down the actual list of his priorities.

So you maintain Dickinson's initial development of Tapeta over the years was not initiated nor based upon his concern for track conditions that horses would be racing over, that it was simply his getting on the bandwagon years ago, with the realization that someday tracks would want synthetic surfaces, and he would then be in a position to profit from that?

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Riot

So you maintain Dickinson's initial development of Tapeta over the years was not initiated nor based upon his concern for track conditions that horses would be racing over, that it was simply his getting on the bandwagon years ago, with the realization that someday tracks would want synthetic surfaces, and he would then be in a position to profit from that?

I think they may go hand in hand.

Frankly, a great deal of things were said about synthetic surfaces when they were introduced to racing that have been proven to be completely untrue. And, this is in just the first couple of years.

If the Tapeta surface was so kind to horses how come Mr. Dickinson's horses make less starts overall than any other trainer's horses on the entire planet?

[Riot]

I have a problem with you speaking for Dickinson.

I obviously didn't speak for Dickinson. I most obviously spoke my own opinion, based upon my own observations, when I said, "I've .... "

His first priority is the welfare of his horses? Really? Let's be honest with ourselves...if his first priority was the welfare of horses he wouldn't be in a business where they are put at risk.

I asked you if you thought jumping horses was cruel. You haven't answered directly. Do you think so, or not? Your reply above is confusing: do you think racing horses (not over jumps) is cruel, or not?

Originally Posted by Riot

I obviously didn't speak for Dickinson. I most obviously spoke my own opinion, based upon my own observations, when I said, "I've .... "



I asked you if you thought jumping horses was cruel. You haven't answered directly. Do you think so, or not? Your reply above is confusing: do you think racing horses (not over jumps) is cruel, or not?

Yes it can be a cruel sport. Please tell me otherwise. I need a good laugh today.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Yes it can be a cruel sport. Please tell me otherwise. I need a good laugh today.

Yes, jump racing can be a cruel sport, as can flat racing, as can barrel racing or riding horses over jumps in a show ring.

But either flat or jump racing (or other horse sports) can also not be "cruel" to the horse at all, unless one believes the essential nature of any horse sport - that being man utilizing the horse within them - is cruel by definition.

That's the PETA viewpoint, btw.