Horse Racing & the Kentucky Derby

[Katie]

Has anyone ever been? I love horse racing and I watch on tV all the time, and keep up with it by magazines and stuff. I love it!!
The horses are so beautiful! Did any one else watch the Kentucky Derby on TV?
One of these days I want to go! Any other fans of horse racing? If so, what is your favorite horse????

Katie

[Katie]

Yeah I live in Lexington mainly the out skirts though. My grandparents go everyyear and bring tons of their friends and have great seats, my parents have been twice.
They think I'm too young, because like you said at the Derby, there is a lot of drinking going on.
One day I'll get to go. Where do you take lessons in Lexington?
Katie

[joy_6]

I am a big fan of horse racing. I always wanted to be a jockey, but I am almost 5'7". Sigh. Anyway, I have watched the Triple Crown races for the past 5 years, and now I really get into them. I start following the contenders in April! I also watch the Breeders Cup and Dubai World Cup. It's such a great sport and there is nothing else like it.

[Jess]

I went to the Kentucky Derby a couple of years ago... it was fun, but I don't believe in horse racing. My favorite horse right now is an OTTB and he was mistreated and shown no love. Yeah, he won $250,000 every weekend, but he wasn't fed well or conditioned correctly. He looked hideous when I got him. He had hidden talent that racing covered up. Plus he had injuries due to being started at 2 years old before he was even done growing. I'm not trying to bash racing, but I believe that there are many things that could be done better.

[Jennifer Harris]

Hey! I dont keep up much with horse racing,but i did watch the Derby. It was awesome. I was sitting on my couch jumping up and down and yelling. (some people think im a little weird.lol.)Riding him home without a whip, it was glorious!! Still gives me chills. Okay, and if anyone watched the awards presentation... Please forgive the Governor, I know he couldnt pronounce the names, and I find it embarassing to Kentucky. The place in which i reside. No, we arent all hicks. lol. Just the ones you see on TV.
PS, if you want to go to the Kentucky Derby, you better sign up now. They have a huge waiting list, it could be years. Unless you want the infield, with all the drunken partiers, not to mention, you cant see whats going on from there.OR unless you become rich and famous, and are invited. That could always happen. :)

[Jennifer Harris]

Okay, silly me , just checked your profile, you live here in lexington too??!! Wow. :cool:

[Jennifer Harris]

Right now i dont take lessons. I would really like to though. I am more of an out of practice rider. I used to ride all the time, im from Indiana, when i moved away from home, my parents sold my horses. so right now, I am horseless, and pretty much miserable. Hopefully I will be able to start riding again soon.
Anyhoo, where do you ride at? :)

[Vee]

Have you guys read Jane Smiley's new book, "Horse Heaven"? It's a wonderful novel about 5 race horses and the people who train, own and ride them. Very irreverent and funny and great insights into the horse industry. She makes fun of the owners (for whom it's all about $$) and has the heros as the horses themselves and the trainers.

Sounds like a book you'd enjoy.

Jane Smiley, by the way, won the National Bood Award a few years ago. This is her first horsey book...she's an eventer.

[Katie]

I havent read it yet but i really want to!!!!
I dont take lessons much...I use to but when we moved here its been to expensive, plus Im so involved in tennis.

[JoeyJoJo]

Yes I love watching horse racing and I watch it a few times a week.

The only bit I hate is when they force the horses into the stalls and when they fall at fences. It sends a shiver down my spine.

We have 8 racehorses in the UK, with trainers Mick Channon and Stan Mellor. We have shares in 4 and 1/2 own the other four. Do you think you may have heard of them? Their names are:

Mick Channon:

- Cauda Equina
- Joint Instruction
- Kachina Doll
- Ridgeway Dawn

Cauda Equina is the oldest and the other three we have just got. Ridgeway Dawn is yet to have her first race.

Stan Mellor:

- Sheperds Rest
- Flic Royal
- Bishopstone Pond
- Morning Suit

Sheperds Rest is the best out of these four and is a real character! He drinks pints of beer!

Joint Instruction is running tomorrow in the 2:10 (I think) at Brighton. Have a look and see what you think of him!

JoeyJoJo :)

[JoeyJoJo]

And he won!!

Excellent! Did you see it in the end?

[Laya]

I'm a fan of racing, but I had a lesson when the Derby was. So, saddly, I forgot to tape it. Does anyone know of anyway to see a rerun of it?