Here We Go Again Equinoxfox
Hello Equinoxfox,
The below is something I posted on May 24, 2002. It still holds true today. Of course I’m now 49 years-old and if anything I feel more strongly than I did back them.
From 5/24/02 <<<Hi All,
I feel a need to wade into this fray. I’ve been around all kinds of horses my whole life - hunters and jumpers, polo ponies, foxhunters, western pleasure horses, dressage horses, event horses, gaited horses, and racehorses.
I’m now 41 (*now 49), and have seen more sadness than anyone should have to deal with. I was there the day Ruffian broke down, and I was there when poor Exogenous flipped at the Breeder’s Cup. These are well-known examples of things that happened on the racetrack - everyone is aware of them because racing is in the news more than any other horse sport. Both of these horses had brilliant trainers who loved these mares with all their heart. Accidents happen - it is a part of any horse sport.
However, I’ve also seen hunters headed to be cripples by the age of 8 because of being lunged for hours and then jumped over a 100 ‘warm-up’ fences before their first class; I’ve seen unfit polo ponies pass out on the polo field; I’ve seen foxhunters fall down because the novice on their back didn’t know what a two-point position was; I’ve seen western pleasure ‘trainers’ deprive their horse of water for hours so that it went ‘dog quiet’; I’ve seen event horses die by breaking legs and necks; I’ve seen dressage horses with blood running from their mouths because the ‘trainer’ had such rough hands; and I’ve seen gaited horses have their brains fried by people setting off fireworks to get the horses upheaded and bright-eyed.
There is abuse and stupidity in every horse discipline. Don’t point fingers just at horse racing! That’s a slippery slope for all horse sports if you start down that hill. There are bad apples in every barrel.
The real issue should be humane education across the board for all horseman. That being said, 99% of the horsemen I meet love their horses and will feed their horses before they buy their own breakfast.
I’ll be honest, if there were a poll, I’ll bet racetrackers donate more money to horse rescues and equine scientific research like the Grayson Jockey Club Foundation (that benefits all horses) than any other group of horseman. I have no statistics on this, but I run with a lot of different ‘crowds’ and I know how generous racetrackers are - from the hotwalkers up to the millionaire owners.
You can argue with me all you want - I’ve been there, done that, and I know what I’ve seen.
Hallie McEvoy
Racing Dreams, LLC>>>
Continuing these thoughts - I have to ask - do you think Rodney Jenkins and Michael Matz are poor horsemen? Why would they switch from the top of the show jumping world to become racehorse trainers?
As far as Quality Road goes, I’m good friends with Diana Baker, the wife of Chris Baker, the manager of Ned Evans farm. Do you have any idea how much they love and adore this horse?
As I mentioned in another thread, some top horses through the years have been touchy in the gate. A good example of this is Display, the fierce handicap horse.
Of all the trainers I’ve seen and worked with, the best, by far, have been racehorse conditioners. Some of the worst I have seen are hunter/jumper ‘trainers.’ And, if you need a review of my credentials, here is a brief list:
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Former USEF Recorded Judge in Hunters and Hunter Seat Equitation.
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Author of three books about riding (and more on the way) along with thousands of articles and photographs in everything from Chronicle of the Horse to The Paint Horse Journal to L’ Annee Hippique.
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Former Media Chief or Assistant Media Chief at such events as the National Horse Show, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the USET Festival of Champions, the Lake Placid Horse Shows, and the NAYRC.
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Was also licensed as a mule and donkey judge (yes, licensed to judge asses 
- a handy trait!).
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A polo player back in the late 1970s and early 1980s making me one of the first female players in this country.
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A side-saddle rider (in Practical Horsemen George Morris called me 'a very good side-saddle rider).
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Have shown H/J, Western Pleasure, gaited horses, driving, etc.
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A frequent volunteer through the years for 4-H and Pony Club.
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I was lucky enough to work under the legendary Dr. Arthur Fredericks, DVM in the early 1980s exercising foxhunters and getting them out to hunt.
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I was taught a lot of stable skills by Ted Landers, one of the most brilliant horsemen to ever hold a bridle (he is the author of several books about racing including ‘The Professional Care and Grooming of the Racehorse.’).
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Have managed stables of up to 75 horses.
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Have bred some wonderful winners on the track who then went on to great second careers.
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Was the Chairman of the USEF Breeders Committee.
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And so on…
Yeah, there are some bad horseracing trainers out there, but you have NO IDEA what I’ve seen at horse shows, etc. One of my biggest peeves is that a lot of horse show trainers only know how to ride and teach - they don’t even know how to wrap (much less be able to tell you what a ‘spider wrap’ is…).
My suggestion Equinoxfox is to take a chill pill and (literally) get off your high horse. If you dislike racing go post elsewhere.
Hallie
Hallie I. McEvoy
Racing Dreams, LLC
