Hear, hear! Very well stated. Off to pen my letter to the LA Times.
Here is the link to the LA Times piece referenced by Gary Stevens:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-simers30jan30,1,4398954.column
Regarding LA Times sports writer T.J. Simers - California Sports Writer of the Year 2000 - there has been a serious fued with horse racing and Simers.
He got into a war of words in 2005 with Jeff Mullins regarding a suspension Jeff received over giving his horses milkshakes and even worse comments he [Mullins] supposedly said about racing and racing fans. Simers took a lot of heavy criticism in the whole matter as Mullins denied it and a lot of people went after the writer.
Afterwards T.J. Simers said he’d never write about horse racing again. Clearly he has (albeit rarely) but almost all of it negative. Accordingly I wouldn’t expect anything on Barbaro to be positive from him. Folks, it sells newspapers to have someone write “shock” columns.
Thank you for posting Gary Stevens’ letter to the LA Times. I read Mr. Simers’ disgraceful piece on Tuesday and was shocked by both his callousness and by the fact the LAT published it. As Stevens so eloquently and concisely states in his letter, the piece served to highlight both Simers’ and his paper’s lack of understanding and appreciation of what it takes to make a champion. Pathetic.
Thank you Gary.
The LA Times piece is unbelievably awful. Wonder if Mr. Stevens will get an aknowledgement?
Who is Dr. Edwards? Don’t they mean Kathy Anderson?
I’m not personally that upset about Barbaro’s death. But some people are, and it makes perfect sense to me. I’ve seen all kinds of comments regarding why people are upset that a horse died. “People are murdered every day and no one seems to care” and “it’s not any different from a cow that was slaughtered yesterday” and now a dead squirrel. I think it’s pretty simple why it’s different-
Barbaro won the Kentucky Derby.
WTG Gary Stevens. :winkgrin: What he said.
JustJump,
My mistake–meant Dr. Anderson.
That piece was really disgusting. I am thrilled to death that Gary Stevens wrote that letter. Shame on the LA Times for printing it. I hope they get deluged with letters.
first i’d like to thank everyone for such a lovely thread to come home and read through at the end of this long, and tiring week. Its truly beautiful. I’ve been troubled on this topic all week. Im trying to get used to not being asked to update people on Barbaro’s condition at work, and I dont think i can bear to discuss his death to one more person, its heartbreaking. What a truly gifted horse he was. Id like to thank him for truly opening up this nation’s eyes, this world’s eyes to this sport, and the compassion we have for our horses all throughout the equestrian community. People within this world doubted the equestrian sports, and i think they believe now more than ever the ammount of money, time, love, compassion, trust, etc. that we put into our everyday chorse just so we can enjoy their company and the joy these great animals bring into our lives on a daily basis.
I think he’s opened up the eyes of just about every doubted person that second-guessed the love we share for our horses, through his story, and thats one heck of a lifetime he gave us if you ask me. i want to thank him for opening up the issue of horse-slaughter to this nation, and truly leading on the debate over it. Once again, very little people know or realize that racehorses and horses alone are slaughtered by the thousands every year in this country, and i’d truly like to hug him for opening up the issue and leading onto the education about horse slaughter, even if its a slow, small start… without his story, the issue would’ve never been raised on a national scale the way it was, and frankly, if it ever was raised, i highly doubt people would’ve listened if it wasnt for this horse. I’d like to thank him for the incredible journey he has led us on over the past months.
I have never seen a nation come together like this, pulling for such a gallant horse. I’d like to thank him for winning the kentucky derby on my 18th birthday. Ill never forget sitting on the couch watching him in the post-parade with all my family and friends standing around, as i was pointing at the TV as he jogged by, ready to run, as i was pointing at him saying thats the horse that is going to win it, thats michael Matz’s horse! Sure enough, i was jumping all around our living room screaming as he was comming down the final sretch of dirt, pulling away from the rest of field, with tears streaming down my eyes. Ill never forget his breakdown at the preakness, such a terrible and tragic incident. But out of such a terrible thing, i have never seen a joecky, and trainers, and owners come together and try to save a horse, that gave this nation more than i ever will in my entire lifetime…
I’d finally like to thank Michael Matz, the Jacksons, Edgar prado, and all of the Staff at New Bolton. Thanks yo for all you did for barbaro, for all you did for us, “the barbaro fan club”. It’s truly been a blessing to be able to live through and experience this horse’s story. Ive learned so much from him and his partners, i cant even begin to list what this horse has given to me to bring with me through my lifetime. Honestly. Thanks for such an incredible ride guys.
The LA Times’ circulation area is thick with horse people.
I don’t mind someone having their say but was it balanced with another view?
Have they printed Gary Steven’s response?
SHAME ON YOU LA TIMES!!! YOU DISGUST ME!!!:mad:
but the LA times is looking for this type of response form people. Its what gets everyones attention and gets them to read their paper and articles…publicity stunt
I am having a tough time saying good bye to this thread…It has been the main stay of my mornings and evenings for some time now…Barbaro brought me back to racing…I had turned my back on it for many years( about 30) after Ruffian only watching the big races when televised…Even my own horse a racetrack reject had me look at bloodlines and learn about them but still not watch racing…Watching Barbaro in the Derby made me want to watch this magnificent horse with an enitire career in front of him only to end on that fateful day in May…Then trip to recovery. I had always hoped he would survive if not to be a stallion with little Barbaros running around or just to live grazing in a field…
People I work with understand my passion for horses but do not understand my love for Barbaro…He was a champion and gallant fighter until the end…He captured my heart with his intelligence and his demeanor…Head held high until he could do no more…it is sad…I too have still been lighting candles now in his memory that we can learn from him not just about medicine and racehorse owners but about love and caring…
I still expect to come home from work and check my e-mail for the line Barbaro updates… I will get used to it I guess but I hope we can continue the track up dates and any stories about our boy…
Gary Stevens is a class act, always has been and I am glad he let them have it…Shame on the L.A. Times…
VB, Alex, Dr. R, the Richardsons, Michael Matz and everyone else that brought him to our life THANK YOU…
Ii is love, love of the horse, there your friend, you just can’t understand if you don’t get it!! For me I am greiving for bobby, for all the horse I have lost and everyone that new him, it is a gift for us to love something so deeply!
PURE AND SIMPLE LOVE!!!
Video of Michael Matz and his son meeting Barbaro
Has anyone been viewed the video of Michael Matz introducing his son to Barbaro? Just a heartfelt clip. I thought it would be great if one of the advertising companies would pick it for one of their products. Of course, could’t tell you which one would be good for. I thought there was such a connection of this horse, the trainer and his son.
Thank you to all who have kep us up to date over the last 8 months. This time is very sad for so many but the spirit of Barbaro lives on. The advancement in equine medicine is incredible all because of this horse and the staff at NB.
Gary Stevens is incredible. What a great letter. Even though he is a sportscaster, movie star and jockey I would not have expected his job discription to include eloquent writer. For me he put into words why we all have been enambered by this horse. Well done Gary!
[QUOTE=knub;2189354]
SHAME ON YOU LA TIMES!!! YOU DISGUST ME!!!:mad:[/QUOTE]The article that he wrote the following day was even worse, IMHO.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-simers31jan31,1,4857708.column
LA Times should be called LameTimes.
Gary is the bomb. I know him and he’s truly a decent human being. He has a heart of gold. His letter, as a Derby winner himself is a great representation of the view of racing fans and Barbaro fans across the globe.
I’ve been reading this forum since the Preakness and never posted, but I just have to say this. The LA Times is certainly not what it used to be when my father worked there in the 60’s. I am ashamed they’ve sunk so low, I really expected more class from what used to be a wonderful paper.
As for Gary Stevens, he exudes class. I am grateful for his fiery letter in defense of Barbaro and his connections against this pathetic journalistic wannabe.
However. On another note, I thought I 'd share this video which I just view tonight of a happier ending which occured for some stranded horses in the Netherlands. Some of you may have already seen it. I would like to think Barbaro has been freed in a similar way, to run free and safe as he was intended to do.
Guess they got a lot of flack over the first column–this one is for subscribers only. Can you copy and paste?
