Jumping to conclusions
May 18th 2009 08:45
A picture can be worth a thousand words.
And two pictures posed in comparison worth their weight in gold.
(photographs by Neil Murray)
These photographs were taken by photographer Neil Murray in Scotland and in Australia.
The photograph from Scotland shows the horses alert and standing back on their hind legs to leap a substantial natural obstacle.
The photograph from Melbourne shows a horse oblivious to danger and crashing through (running through with a pitiful attempt to leap) an artificial brush (through) obstacle.
It has been appeasement to the hysterical (minority and mob) that induced RVL to introduce supposedly safer fences to leap. But the bleating did not emanate from those with any knowledge of the mind and mechanics of a jumping horse.
I will grant the protesters something that they will not grant those of us involved in racing: I will grant them the good intentions to provide a safe (or safer) environment for horses. I will grant them they they have good (but in their case misguided) intentions.
In the end the cowering to the ill-informed has created more deaths than improvement.
RVL has now made some progressive changes with the strong possibility of a strand barrier start (this would also be an attraction for the spectator); the removal of the final obstacle in the straight; and the instruction to retire a weakening and tired horse.
The best option of the modular obstacles is the steeple version which does produce some respect from the horses racing. The hurdle brush through is a nonsense and nightmare. And perhaps with a review we may introduce proper natural obstacles that horses respect and love to leap.
Perhaps jumping races are still on a path into extinction in Victoria. There is no public outcry about jumping in New Zealand and the UK as (especially in rural dominated New Zealand) people are comfortable with the horse as a working animal. We have used horses through the ages for battle (millions perishing in World War 1) and as a cog of industry. A terrible existence. We have also purpose bred the thoroughbred horse for racing.
I would prefer the animal rights of violated chickens, pigs, or simply the abused and abandoned family pets, was placed first and foremost in the sights of those who zero in on cruelty. Or even campaign against the squalor of the child in slavery in a third world country sourcing your coffee or cocoa bean for your coffee or chocolate treat.
If you spend any time at all around a racing stable you will see that a horse is treated (as an animal, yes, but) with respect and kindness.
Jumping need not be removed from our racing identity and history. It could survive into the future for as long as it has in our long past. There may one day again be another Crisp.
Consideration for the concerns of others is noble. Appeasement is not.
Background to photographs:
Neil Murray is my preferred photographer for Speedratings (www.speedratings.com.au) and some great examples of the thoroughbred horse may be viewed there.
Neil is a highly talented photographer who specialises in horse racing and sports events. His own website contains numerous examples of brilliant racing photography.
NEIL MURRAY PHOTOGRAPHY
And two pictures posed in comparison worth their weight in gold.
A steeplechase at Perth in Scotland
A modular jump used in Melbourne
(photographs by Neil Murray)
These photographs were taken by photographer Neil Murray in Scotland and in Australia.
The photograph from Scotland shows the horses alert and standing back on their hind legs to leap a substantial natural obstacle.
The photograph from Melbourne shows a horse oblivious to danger and crashing through (running through with a pitiful attempt to leap) an artificial brush (through) obstacle.
It has been appeasement to the hysterical (minority and mob) that induced RVL to introduce supposedly safer fences to leap. But the bleating did not emanate from those with any knowledge of the mind and mechanics of a jumping horse.
I will grant the protesters something that they will not grant those of us involved in racing: I will grant them the good intentions to provide a safe (or safer) environment for horses. I will grant them they they have good (but in their case misguided) intentions.
In the end the cowering to the ill-informed has created more deaths than improvement.
RVL has now made some progressive changes with the strong possibility of a strand barrier start (this would also be an attraction for the spectator); the removal of the final obstacle in the straight; and the instruction to retire a weakening and tired horse.
The best option of the modular obstacles is the steeple version which does produce some respect from the horses racing. The hurdle brush through is a nonsense and nightmare. And perhaps with a review we may introduce proper natural obstacles that horses respect and love to leap.
Perhaps jumping races are still on a path into extinction in Victoria. There is no public outcry about jumping in New Zealand and the UK as (especially in rural dominated New Zealand) people are comfortable with the horse as a working animal. We have used horses through the ages for battle (millions perishing in World War 1) and as a cog of industry. A terrible existence. We have also purpose bred the thoroughbred horse for racing.
I would prefer the animal rights of violated chickens, pigs, or simply the abused and abandoned family pets, was placed first and foremost in the sights of those who zero in on cruelty. Or even campaign against the squalor of the child in slavery in a third world country sourcing your coffee or cocoa bean for your coffee or chocolate treat.
If you spend any time at all around a racing stable you will see that a horse is treated (as an animal, yes, but) with respect and kindness.
Jumping need not be removed from our racing identity and history. It could survive into the future for as long as it has in our long past. There may one day again be another Crisp.
Consideration for the concerns of others is noble. Appeasement is not.
Background to photographs:
Neil Murray is my preferred photographer for Speedratings (www.speedratings.com.au) and some great examples of the thoroughbred horse may be viewed there.
Neil is a highly talented photographer who specialises in horse racing and sports events. His own website contains numerous examples of brilliant racing photography.
NEIL MURRAY PHOTOGRAPHY
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