Re: Beg to Differ (Was Race v. Ride)

["superpat" <superpat@ccountry.net>]

It's hard to disagree with such a convincing argument. Thanks for giving
this discussion a little different perspective.
Pat
----- Original Message -----



> K S SWIGART   katswig@earthlink.net
>
> Anne Geroge mentioned that there is no comparison between flat track
> racing and endurance riding because the people involved in flat track
> racing are in it for the money.
>
> While I agree that there is plenty of reason not to make too many
> comparisons between flat track racing and endurance riding, it would
> be inaccurate to say that people involved in flat track racing are in
> it for the money.  The perceived glory of winning? Maybe.  The
> opportunity jump up and down in the owner's box and yell "Go
> Dobbin Go?" Yes.  The joy of watching them run? The excitement
> of having a winner?
>
> But since almost 95% of race horse owners LOSE money (and TONS of
> it), and that it has earned the moniker "The Sport of Kings" mostly
> because it costs a king's ransom to participate, whatever it is that
> race horse owners are in it for...it definitely AIN'T the money.
>
> I make no comment whatsoever about whether flat track race horse people
> are willing to sacrifice the well-being, health, and welfare of a horse in
> pursuit of their goals for excitement, glory, fame, or opportunity to
> stand in the winner's box and say "that one is mine."  But it would be
> well for people who think that such people are willing to sacrifice the
> well-being of their horses for this purpose to realize that if this is
> the case, it is not money that needs to be kept out of endurance, but
> rather recognition.
>
> If the only thing to be taken home from winning an endurance ride is
> the personal satisfaction of knowing that you have cared well for
> your horse over the distance, then you will attract participants who
> get great gratification from this personal satisfaction and will care
> well for their horses.  If, on the other hand,  you start
> awarding people "prizes" in the form of fame, glory, recognition, and
> the "limelight" of the winner's box; then you might attract people
> for whom such things are important enough to sacrifice their horses
> for it.  And if you think that race horse owners are willing to sacrifice
> their horses in this pursuit....well....they are willing to "sacrifice"
> TONS
> of money for it as well..
>
> It may be that offering a big cash prize will attract the attention of
> the general public (and therefore increase the possibility of "limelight"
> to be had by winning it), but in which case it is the public acclaim that
> is the attractant, not the prize money.
>
> kat
> Orange County, Calif.
>
> p.s.  In case anybody is wondering, Olympic Gold will provide this same
> attractant.
>
>
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