Posted on 08/13/2004 10:22:13 PM PDT by bellevuesbest
YAKIMA, Wash. -- Three horses died in the first of four races at this year's annual Omak Stampede rodeo in far north-central Washington, which culminates each night with a horse race down a steep slope.
The so-called Suicide Race, begun in 1935, has been criticized for years by animal welfare groups. Twenty riders plunge down a 62-degree hill, cross the Okanogan River and race into the grandstand arena.
A number of horses have been killed or injured in the race and practice sessions over the years.
During Thursday's race, one horse in the middle of the pack stumbled into another horse at the bottom of the hill, injuring both. The two horses were humanely euthanized, Stampede officials said in a news release.
A third horse collapsed in the arena at the end of the race. Stampede officials said a veterinarian determined the horse died of natural causes. Officials did not elaborate on the actual cause of death.
No riders were injured.
"The race is part of a whole cultural event, which is great. We'd love for that to continue in the community, but the Suicide Race is an organized form of animal abuse," said Sheridan Thomas, an animal advocate for the nonprofit Progressive Animal Welfare Society, based in Lynnwood.
"Each of these horses was loved and cared for by their families and will be sorely missed," the Stampede news release said. "It was the first race of the year and it was a tragedy to have an unfortunate accident like this after such a smooth start."
The four-day Omak Stampede features a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo, powwow and Western art show, and is the summer's primary draw for the community of Omak, population 4,700. Thousands have turned out each August for the event since it was founded in 1933.
The Suicide Race was canceled in 1999, after the Colville Tribes boycotted the Stampede amid complaints about parking issues and the handling of the Indian powwow.
"There aren't many races where at least one horse is going to die in every four races. In terms of horse racing, that same percentage would mean an end to the event," PAWS' Thomas said.
Mayor Dale Sparber disagreed.
"I think it's a tragedy, but it's part of the race," he said. "They live with the knowledge that this can happen, and we've seen riders hurt and we've seen horses hurt and killed. But it's no different than a horse race. In my opinion, it's no worse than that."
Fifteen horses finished with riders aboard in Thursday's race. The winner was Trigger, ridden by Montana Pakootas.
The total purse this year is a record $28,000.
The Omak Stampede continues through Sunday.
It's actually pretty cool.
Yes, very interesting
Think of it as the "demolition derby" of horse racing. 8^>
>>Animal cruelty is just fine with you?<<
Hey, it bugs me when people don't change the oil in their car, but whadayagonnado?
This makes me think of the scene from the movie "The Man from Snowy River". It is the best part of the movie, toward the end he is driving a bunch of wild horses back to a ranch and they all go over the edge of a huge ridge and down on a very steep angle, dozens of horses, and he follows in his horse, best part of the movie!!!
It taints all equine sport. Most horse owners are responsible.
Many of these "fan events" involve liquored-up participants who are only vaguely aware of what's going on.
Horse meat is red and stringy, but tastes good when you're hungry. During WWII, much of America ate horse meat because beef was for the troops. It worked for us then, an it tastes the same now. And don't call me stupid!! You're not the boss of me!!!
You're completely incoherent. What in hell are you talking about?
It looks to me that most of these riders have whips --- the horse has no real choice to trust or not trust --- this looks worse to me than dog fighting where at least the dogs are both eager to rip the throat out of the other.
Bump!
Rodeo is entirely different --- there isn't much cruelty or death in a rodeo --- team calf-roping takes a lot of skill and training for riders and horses --- I like watching the way the horses know exactly when to run, stop and how they move.
He's an incoherent troll, entertaining himself by getting the good people all het up. He doesn't warrant a response.
Whip or not, horses are trained to be trusting and oblige their riders. They probably do run without brute force or refusal. They'll also go because the rest of the horses are going. It is precisly because the horse will honestly follow dangerous commands that the rider needs to be responsible with his demands.
Despite the headline that said that three horses died IN THE race....no horses died in the race. Two were injured and were later killed by people. The third one died after the race of natural causes.
I hate TRASH that abuse animals.
You're splitting hairs. Two were injured beyond reasonable repair in the race and were put down. One was run and died later from the exertion, he was likely unfit to have run.
I'm not an animal activist nut job, but that really is a stupid thing to do. It's a waste.
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