The Kentucky Derby is such a great event for Kentucky.
I think people all over the nation and the world get
to see that not all of Kentucky is backwoods, uneducated,
unsophistaced, ignorant folk. We have style, we have class,
we have beauty. The Kentucky Derby is an exciting time
in Kentucky. The playing of our state song moves me to tears.
The mint juleps, the beautiful displays of hats and the
beautiful, magnificent horses that battle to be the best.
BUT this Kentucky Derby was beyond sadness as the 2nd runner
up Eight Belles lost her life after a hell of a ride.
Thought I get excited for Kentucky Derby and anytime it's
horse racing season in my town (April and October)I also
am so apprehensive to to watch the "ponies" for the very
reason the beautiful filly lost her life. I can not stand
to see an any animal, great or small, suffer. I am moved
to tears yet again when I think of the loss and all the losses
I have experienced as being a fan of horse racing. This
fear and anxiety of a horse racing and then hurting itself,
yes, is a fact of life, but also one that pains me so very
much. As I have gotten older and definitely more sensitive
and emotional, I can not go to the race track despite the
beauty, the fun I have had as I have picked a winner, and
just the plain ole excitement that fills the air at the races.
I did not watch the Derby yesterday. I usually do. I guess my fear
was to much for me to bear. I chose to find something else to
occupy my time as the rest of Kentucky watched on in anticipation.
I know that they didn't show the poor philly suffering but
hearing what horrible thing happened to her after her amazing
race, just tore me to pieces. I was destroyed. I fought back
tears but they still came. It ruined my day. Just another reason
why I don't find myself liking horse racing. I want a horse to
be ridden out in a field and I know a thoroughbred is bred
to run but it still kills my soul. My heart is still hurting
for that beautiful horse and all those horses that have suffered
just so people can make alot of money.