I love them all, but perhaps TB racing and western reining are my faves.

Actually, I love to watch polo too....:D

I love thoroughbred racing.
My girlfriend lives in Lexington Ky.
She and her husband own 2.

Vicki L. Forte'
Bellaonline
Crime Editor

ooo! *is so jealous*

do her TBs race?

Some day I WILL go to Kentucky to see the Derby live. Regretably, I do not like crowds, but to see the great race live would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I go to Del Mar, which is fabulous because you can get right up to the rail and the paddock.

Ok, i'm not up on all the terminology, but I love watching the sports as they come up on ESPN.

I'm always amazed by the jumps and "mazes" that the horses are pu through. It seems like such a level of trust between both the rider and the horse to be able to do these "stunts" (for lack of a better word). And it is always so beautiful to watch these magnificent creatures grace over the walls and obstacles set in their way.

It never ceases to amaze me what strength and stamina horses are bred with. <img src="/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

It's a miracle that horses let us ride them at all and put them through hunter/jumper competitions. It is because of their cooperative, herd-like mentality, and the dedication of good riders who bond with their horses in the proper manner. Trust, like you say, is so important. More important than fear. I'm a huge proponent of natural horsemanship! (is is obvious yet?) heehee

The horse is magnificent on its own too. But when loved by a human and brushed to a glossy shine, they really sparkle.

I love TB racing. I've been to Churchill 3 times now but never on Derby Day. I don't think I'd like to be there then, really. I'm not a crowd person either and from what I understand, on that day most people never get to really "see" a horse. But it's a great place to visit! I love going and just walking around the old part before the racing and then hanging out in the paddock area between races.

I've also been to Suffolks downs in Boston and that's a nice track. And since we live in Michigan, we've been to Great Lakes Down in Muskegon. Next month hubby and I are going to spend our 24th anniversary over by there and take in a night of racing!

As much as I love racing, I'm not much on betting. I'll bet $2 per race when we go, but I don't do any on-line betting at all.

After reading Hunter S. Thompson's story about Derby Day, I'm sure I don't want to be there either. lol!

The races, to me, aren't about betting, it's about the beauty of the animals, the colorful silks, just the fun of a day out.