Saturday 29 September 2012

A Day At The Races

Today I spent the afternoon at Woodbine Racetrack, as it was for a "fake 65th birthday" for my friend Genevieve's mother.  As a side note, my friend Genevieve Trimble is the owner and operator of High Point Awards and Ribbons, located in Amaranth.  High Point Awards and Ribbons goes above and beyond to supply the very best in ribbons, awards, and trophies.  They provide top quality, high standards, and unique products for any organization.  Please take a moment to visit her website at http://highpointawards.com.

We went to Favourites, the restaurant located in the grand stand where we ate lunch and watched the races.  A day at the races always makes for a wonderful outing.  It's an event that the whole family can enjoy and it does not have to cost a lot.  You can sit in the grand stands and watch all afternoon.  The choice is yours whether you bet or not.  The whole family can partake in the excitement of watching the thoroughbreds being saddled in the paddock then running a thrilling race out on the track.

Post time for the first race today was 1pm.  There were ten races altogether.   Here are the results for my day at the track.
Race 1 was 7 furlongs, maiden allowance race.  The field consisted of 6 horses.  Winner was Cabo Queen, rider Emma-Jayne Wilson

Race 2 was 1 1/16 miles, maiden allowance race.  The field consisted of 7 horses.  Winner was Up With the Birds, rider Eurico Rosa Da Silva

Race 3 was 1 1/16 miles, claiming race.  The field consisted of 9 horses.  Winner was Revengefulpleasure, rider Luis Contrearas.

Race 4 was 1 1/16 miles turf course, allowance race.  The field consisted of 8 horses.  Winner was Valentino Beauty, rider James MCaleney

Race 5 was 6 furlongs, maiden claiming race.  The field consisted of 13 horses.  Winner was Grace O'Malley, rider Jesse Campbell

Race 6 was 1 1/2 miles turf course, Overnight Stakes race.  The field consisted of 8 horses.  Winner was Clarinet, rider Eurico Rosa Da Silva

Race 7 was 7 furlongs, maiden claiming race.  The field consisted of 12 horses.  Winner was Joyful Cheers.

Race 8 was 6 furlongs, Stakes race.  The field consisted of 7 horses.  Winner was Crysta's Court, rider Luis Contrearas.  This was a memorable race as this filly's odds ended up at 40-1!  Worked out well for anyone who bet on her.

Race 9 was 1 1/2 miles turf course, starter allowance race.  The field consisted of 9 horses.  Winner was  Sin Codigo, rider Patrick Husbands.  This horse was originally from Argentina.

Race 10 was 7 furlongs claiming race.  The field consisted of 14 horses.  Winner was Bigasmar, rider Tyler Pizarro.

I am looking forward to the next time I get to spend the day hanging out with the horses and some friends.

Thursday 27 September 2012

A Bit of MINIATURE Information

In response to one of my followers, I have decided to research some information about miniature horses.

Miniature horses can be found in all nations.  In the 17th century, King Louis XIV was noted to have miniature horses amongst the animals in his zoo.  European royalty bred them to keep as pets for the royal children.    In the 18th century they were used all over England and Northern Europe to pull ore carts in the coal mines.  It wasn't until the 19th century that they were brought over to America where they were also used in the mines.   

In 1971, the first registry was created to sanction and register the American Miniature Horse.  Over the next two years, the American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR) accepted registration of small mature equines, not exceeding 34 inches in height, with perfect form and normal function.  Head, body and legs were well proportioned.   By December 31st 1973, the registry had reached the limit for registrations.  Going forward, only horses who were bred by registered horses could be registered in the AMHR.    In 1978, the American Miniature Horse Association (AMHA) was formed.

There are two divisions of miniature horses recognized by the AMHR.  Division "A" recognizes horses 34 inches and under,  and Division "B" allowed for horses 34-38 inches.  The AMHA only recognized Division "A", whilst the AMHR recognizes both Divisions.  Division "B" came about because new blood was needed in the gene pool.  Also, some of the breeders were managing to get excellent stock that were over 34 inches, and wanted to start racing them with mechanical riders.  

Today, the miniature horses are shown at National Shows and shows sanctioned by the AMHR and AMHA.   They compete in halter and showmanship classes and also performance classes, such as jumping obstacles and driving carts.   

To find miniature horses in Ontario, you can search the Miniature Horse Club of Ontario http://www.mhco.ca/.  Provided on the website is a list of registered breeders found across Canada and some from the U.S.A.  It also provides you with an information section with articles written by some owners, giving advice on training and ownership.  

Sources:
http://www.angelfire.com/mt/ndobson/history.html
http://www.wallaceminiatures.ca/history.htm

Wednesday 19 September 2012

They're at the Post... and They're Off!

Hello NEIGHbour!
Welcome to my blog. Over the next 12 weeks, I will be blogging about all things horses. I would like to start my blog with a very important matter in the equine world, the racetrack industry.

An announcement was made in March of this year that the government has decided to terminate a program SARP (Slots at Racetracks Program), that sent $345-million from slot-machine revenues to tracks and horsemen in 2011. The removal of this program would lead to the closure of 11 of the 17 racetracks in Ontario, three of which are already closed.  For many of the tracks in Ontario, the slots make up more than 90 percent of the purses.  At the moment, the president of Woodbine Entertainment Group is unsure of the fate of the $1-million purses for next year's Woodbine Mile and Queen's Plate.  Although they do not plan to reinstate the SARP, the government has said that they will fund the racetracks with $50-million for the next three years.  Knowing this amount is not enough, the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association has asked for $210-million.  A final report is due at the end of this month that will state a final amount that will be funded.  It is estimated that five or six tracks will be able to stay open and remain successful.

 As a result of this decision, there will be a loss of 3,600 to 6,300 jobs. Not only will many people lose their jobs, but many of the race horses will lose their lives. A report was issued by a government panel indicating that 7,500 to 13,000 horses could be euthanized by early 2013.  We have Dalton McGuinty to thank for this.   In an interview conducted by CTV Toronto, McGuinty claimed that the government is concerned about the mass euthanasia of the horses and that they do not intend to support it.  However, he has quoted in saying "We're Listening very intently.  But at the end of the day, we've also made a decision: We've got to put schools and healthcare ahead of subsidizing horse racing in Ontario." I don't feel that he really cares about the horses.

The situation with the tracks is also affecting life on the farms.  Breeders don't know whether to breed their mares again and owners are reluctant to buy when they don't know what is going to happen to the industry.  The average price of Thoroughbred yearlings has decreased by 22 percent from last year.  Gross sales have declined by 61 percent.  It is tough for owners to spend the money if the potential to profit is disappearing.  Without the tracks to compete on, many of these horses have no where to go.  Many have been given a second chance and are being trained in other disciplines.  However, the rest of the equestrian world is not prepared to accommodate the massive influx.  There just is not enough homes.


Sources:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/up-to-13-000-horses-could-be-euthanized-in-ontario-report-says-1.941358
www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/horses-put-down-as-industry-declines/article4547462
http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2012/08/20/decision-to-cut-racetrack-slots-funding-backed-by-controversial-report