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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

The grand national is cruel to horses

999 replies

McHappyPants2012 · 12/04/2012 15:20

Alot of the horses will be injured and whipped into going faster, it's also a long race course.

I can't believe people would bet on this event

OP posts:

LineRunner · 14/04/2012 21:12

Hi, I'm a feminist.

holidaywoe · 14/04/2012 21:16

I dont like you!

careergirl · 14/04/2012 21:18

amateurs can ride if won a set number of races I think they have to have won 15

LineRunner · 14/04/2012 21:22

There to seem to be a fair few contradictions about the actual rules; and this, I think, will lead to increased cynicism amongst those who have the wish and the will to insist on an outright ban.

Well, maybe the race industry is just that naive.

MightyNice · 14/04/2012 21:26

but are you an overt feminist linerunner?

(what are the other sorts then holidaywoe?)

I just watched the race on the BBC site, with the same sort of feeling I get about lots of things that I like - that they are indefensible really, but ?

LineRunner · 14/04/2012 21:28

Oh yes, incorrigible, too.

careergirl · 14/04/2012 21:28

Rules of Entry
for seven yrs old and upwards which, up to and including March 20th, have been placed first, second, third or fourth in a steeple chase of three miles or more and which are allotted a rating of
120 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including February 12th.
Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at closing may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the
horse's racecourse performances up to and including February 12th would merit a minimum rating
To be ridden by Jockeys or Amateur Riders who, before April 12th, 2012, have ridden not less than 15 winners in steeple chases or hurdle races under the Rules of Racing and/or the Rules
of the Irish National Hunt Steeple Chase Committee and ridden not less than 10 of these winners in steeple chases

sanguinechompa · 14/04/2012 21:30

You see this is where I think the RSPCA although well-intentioned, are (a) betraying their ignorance and (b) might possibly be making things worse:

(repeating myself I know but ...) lowering height of fences makes race faster therefore potentially much more dangerous

if you are riding short (ie can't steer with long leg) you need sometimes to able to use your crop to steer in sticky situations

run-out areas are great but most horses want to carry on racing and it can be more dangerous if loose horses dive off course suddenly at a sharp angle

as LineRunner said - there were amateurs in the race - (amateurs are denoted by Ms, Miss or Mr in front of their names) the two women riding: Nina Carberry and Katie Walsh. Amateur in this case does not equal 'amateurish'. Amateur jump jockeys can obtain a category B licence which allows them to ride against both amateur and professional jockeys. They don't always have less experience than the pros (although it was Katie Walsh's first time). They just don't receive a fee. Nina Carberry has huge racing experience.

sanguinechompa · 14/04/2012 21:31

meant "Katie Walsh's first time around the Grand National course"

fluffypillow · 14/04/2012 21:32

Very sad that, yet again, horses died today for the pleasure of some.............not for me.

lurcherlover · 14/04/2012 21:37

I'm afraid I can't believe those owners truly love their horses. Value them and appreciate them, yes, but I don't believe that if you truly love a horse you could enter it in a race where there's a good chance it could be severely injured or killed (much more so than for other equestrian events). And a disclaimer as apparently opposing the race means you know nothing about horses - I have ridden all my life and am very aware of what racing involves, thanks.

MissBetsyTrotwood · 14/04/2012 21:38

Thanks LineRunner.

He makes us very happy. And I think he's happy to be here, given the crap start he had in life. Reading up about that racing industry (regulated and unregulated) would make anyone's stomach turn. I don't care if I come over sanctimonious; we wanted a terrific family dog and that we found one while doing something practical to help was rather killing two birds with one stone.

catgirl1976 · 14/04/2012 21:41

I don't think anything will change but I would very much welcome a smaller field. Perhaps 20 runners.

On another note, equestianism in all its forms it a great sport from a feminist pov as it is one of the very few where men and women compete on equal terms

MissBetsyTrotwood · 14/04/2012 21:42

I'm a surreptitious feminist btw.

Codandchops · 14/04/2012 21:51

The owners may not love the horses but there is no doubt the stable hands DO love them. Tonight is going to be very hard for them and they are in my thoughts.

catgirl1976 · 14/04/2012 21:52

I truly love my horses. Deeply. But they still do eventing which has a lot of equine fatalities

PurpleRomanesco · 14/04/2012 22:06

They would be very unhappy, Bored and lonely if you didn't catgirl.

catgirl1976 · 14/04/2012 22:09

They would. One of them hates it if he doesnt go out. He gets depressed. And he knows when he has won and he sulks when he doesn't (not that he doesnt win very often :) )

He is more likely to do himself a damage in the field than competing as he has no regard for his safety :(

threestepsforward · 14/04/2012 22:27

Sorry, haven't read through the whole thread...

Got what a despicable race, this year 2 fatalities.

My only hope is the 'high-profile' victim this year will help raise awareness that something needs to change. Poor bloody horses.

FeedingTheBirds · 14/04/2012 22:37

Oh dear what a bummer only 2 "horsies" died this year. What will Ptomoley and Tarquin ride at the farm now? I do hope that the pennies were worth it. Of course what would I know? I don't own a pony wony and must therefore believe "horsies" belong on farms. What a ridiculous argument for a "sport" that is essentially using an animal to make money and have a cheap laugh with a glass of cheap plonk in your hand. Wot wot.

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 14/04/2012 22:46

If the rich and the royal didn't love it so, they woulda banned it years ago. Disgusting how entertainment means more than a life of such a beautiful animal just cos a few toffs can have a flutter and a laugh with all their toff friends and family. If Joe bloggs down the road was running his pet pony to exhaustion on a regular basis with a few mates running a book he'd be arrested before u know it :(

FeedingTheBirds · 14/04/2012 22:48

Nicely put Wheresmycaffeine. Fully agree.

FeedingTheBirds · 14/04/2012 22:49

(but be prepared to be told that you are STUPID because you don't own a pony wony and therefore have nothing to contribute to the subject).

ToadsPornFrogsPawn · 14/04/2012 22:50

Don't be daft, the National has nothing to do with class or toffs. Every class enjoys it and/or has a bet

threestepsforward · 14/04/2012 22:52

I presumably belong to "a class" Toad, and I don't enjoy it.

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