Political Horse Race
A horse race is a contest of speed or endurance between one or more horses, either ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies and their drivers. It is the oldest of all sports, and its basic concept has undergone little change over the centuries. It developed from a diversion for the leisure class into a huge public-entertainment industry, but its essential feature remains unchanged: the horse that crosses the finish line first is the winner.
As the election season enters full swing, political observers and journalists of all stripes dig out their favorite catchwords and hackneyed expressions to describe the contest. Among them, horse race seems to be on the rise. A political horse race is a close contest in which any of the contenders could win, or at least pull up to within a few lengths of victory. The phrase may seem trite, but it captures the sense of uncertainty and elation in such a contest.
While the sport is often associated with the aristocracy, organized racing began in colonial America during the British occupation of New Amsterdam. It was established by Col. Richard Nicolls who laid out a 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) course in the town of Long Island and offered a silver cup to the winner. Until the Civil War, racehorses were judged on stamina rather than speed.
During the Middle Ages, horses were used for military and religious functions as well as for recreational purposes. By the early 19th century, a number of races had been introduced, including chariot and bareback horse races. The latter was featured in the Olympic Games as early as the 5th century bc and was a favorite sport of cavalry officers.
In modern flat horse racing, not including steeplechases, a horse’s pedigree is a key factor in its eligibility to compete. It must have a sire and dam who are both purebreds of the same breed in order to qualify for most events. In some races, such as a steeplechase, horses must jump a series of obstacles to win.
Despite the fact that horses are social animals and in the wild would spend constant time grazing, most racehorses live a solitary existence as they await their turn on the track. This can lead to stress and boredom, which can cause the horse to develop problems such as crib-biting (a behavior in which a horse repeatedly grasps a fixed object with its front teeth) and an elevated heart rate. It can also make them more prone to injuries and illnesses. It is time that the industry consider the rights of horses as living, breathing animals entitled to a safe and secure future. The for-profit business which creates and profits off of these amazing creatures should be held accountable to all those who were taken from Eight Belles, Medina Spirit, Keepthename and Creative Plan. It is time to put the horse race back in horse race.