Sports

[Sooner]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@silver Goldie. I like horse racing too because I love horses, however, people on this board can't hold a civil discussion about it without getting into ethics.   Most know little about horses or how much they love to run.   Horses are accident-prone and many more are badly injured or killed every year racing each other in their own pastures than in races.  They run into fences or trees or kick each other.

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@Kachina624 I agree with you on this.  Heard a quote you might get a grin from: Rodeo is the only real pro sport.  The rest are adults playing children's games.  

I have been horse (actually all animal) crazy since I was born and introduced to my horse crazy father and we were literally off and running!  

[deepwaterdotter]

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@Desertdi wrote:

@silver Goldie 

Yeah...I worked in Arlington Heights, IL at that time.   Euclid Ave was lined with folks waiting for Secretariat to arrive.  (The horse came by truck).  It was always quite an "event".    Of course, I joined the crowd.

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I was there that day also.  I still have a winning ticket of a $2 bet my Dad placed on my behalf.  It didn't pay off that well, so I just kept the ticket for posterity.  I have since learned that it is worth a bit more money as a piece of memorabilia, but keep it as a memory of the event.

[Mz iMac]

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@silver Goldie wrote:

Guess who?

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@silver Goldie  I knew that was Secretariat .  I thought the lady petting him was you. 

My 101 yr young mother goes every year.  She use to go w/her sisters but, since they are all dead, she now goes w/her great & great great neices & nephews.

She always wears one of her "church" hats. 

My complex has a KD party every year.  We are suppose to wear fancy hats.  I always wear my Eagles full face hood/hat/mask.

My $$$$ is on Litmus Test to place........

[Kachina624]

@Sooner.  Some of us were horse-crazy teen aged girls that never grew up and got over it.  The first major purchase my husband and I made after we married were a couple of horses and tack.  We had no furniture but had a ball with those horses.

[beach-mom]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@Sooner.  Some of us were horse-crazy teen aged girls that never grew up and got over it.  The first major purchase my husband and I made after we married were a couple of horses and tack.  We had no furniture but had a ball with those horses.

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@Kachina624 - DH grew up with horses. He was more the dairy cow guy, but two of his sisters were crazy about them. One's bedroom still was covered with horses - everything from pictures to models. One competed into adulthood. She got into English jumping, with the formal outfit and everything. Another sister liked them, but that was it. And the oldest wanted nothing to do with them.  

We drove to another state to see her compete once. I still enjoy watching competitions of any kind. We've had friends throughout the years whose children competed. 

I rode a horse when we visited DH's family after we were married. It was my second time on a horse! The first time was when I was about 11. I did OK. Of course they gave me the gentle one! 

When DD was born DH was worried she would be into horses. She had toy ones, but she was more into dancing. 

[Desertdi]

I went on a St. Patrick's Day DATE to the races (yeah, Arlington).

I saw a horse in the paddock getting saddled up...and he was wearing a green blanket...so I put a $2 bet on.

Well that "Irish" horse won big time...and my date grabbed my winnings and put it on the next horse...and lost it all.

Dumped the date....and only go the races at the County or State Fair any more.

[Sooner]

A lonely kid I loved to ride, but also just hang out like the horses.  Horses are sort of smart-cat like in my experience and do have facial expressions.  Inquisitive, nosey,  playful and very sensitive to people--at least the ones we had.  Also often on the lookout for something to tear up or play with.

I would sit in their feed trough and read my books and they would come stand by me, occasionally touch me with their nose to say hi, doze nearby with a back hoof cocked up, and just be our little herd.  Then puppy track me around the lot often.

[haddon9]

I've never followed the races but many years ago my neighbor was having a party for her daughter's first communion (I think that's what it was). 

Anyway we all stopped to watch the race on TV because it was a local horse & owner at the time.  Smarty Jones won!....and he went on to win the Preakness.

He lost the Belmont Stakes.  Lost the Triple Crown by a head!

[PA Mom-mom]

My brother and SIL were at the KD when Secretariat won. They brought me a mint julep glass and the winning ticket. I recently gave them to my DIL, who always celebrates the Derby.

The Derby was more fun when my mother was with us. She read up on all the horses and was a wealth of knowledge. 

I've been thinking about making the Churchill Downs BBQ Shrimp and Grits this weekend, but DH won't break his diet, so...I made it for my kids and their spouses one year. They were astounded. Too bad they aren't around this year.

[drizzellla]

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@Desertdi wrote:

I went on a St. Patrick's Day DATE to the races (yeah, Arlington).

I saw a horse in the paddock getting saddled up...and he was wearing a green blanket...so I put a $2 bet on.

Well that "Irish" horse won big time...and my date grabbed my winnings and put it on the next horse...and lost it all.

Dumped the date....and only go the races at the County or State Fair any more.

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HA! HA!

Reminded me of my first horse race. I knew nothing - nothing. And saw a gray horse warming up. No other gray horses around. He was the horse for me.

Went to the window. Gave them my money and said "Horse's name, to win, please."

Well they gave me my bet and it said PLACE. I had no clue. And went my merry way. 

Well gray horse came in second. Fortunately I was with people who knew more than I did. And I collected my winning. Bought a bottle of champagne with the winnings.

PS Went to Churchill Downs a few years ago. And had to have a mint julep to get in the spirit. Well did not like the first sip AT ALL. Was looking for a place to dump the drink. Didn't feel like walking back up to where the concessions were. So took another sip. Not as bad as the first sip. With each sip it was going down easier. Next time we go to Churchill Downs, I am getting another mint julep.