We kill horses, don't we?

 Image: Grand National

 HorseChannel.com

"He said given that 11 of the horses to race on Monday had also raced on Saturday, it was lucky more did not fall."

This article sums it all up pretty well.  What else is there to say? 12 races, 3 dead horses and steeple chasing still isn't banned. It is not safe. It needs to stop. Now. The debate has never dried up. Every year we watch horses damaged, hurt and destroyed. It is senseless to do this to horses time and again. It's wrong. If people damaged themselves like that every time they hurdled, then we'd ban the sport. I do not understand why we are so slow to act. Softening the jumps hasn't worked nor was it going to. The race horses here have very thin legs. Time to ensure we never do this purposely again - every time we run a steeple chase we are showing we don't care. The cavalry days are over. The world needs to show some care and consideration for all life.

Jumps ban

Melbourne Cup

"It's amazing what it does for Australia.''

Absolutely ! We all get gripped by Cup fever and our foodies really do all sorts of special things around the country. Our chefs and cooks really become inspired. Then there is the fashion, of course. We like to see what people are wearing and might even dress up for our work Cup lunches as well. There is always a lot of excitement and the nation stops when the Cup is run. Sweeps are popular and it is just a fun, relaxing day which many of us believe should be a national holiday because it does embody our spirit. Our Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, is backing Zippy and Carson Kressley is backing Honolulu, but the Cup favourite at this stage is Mad Rush. Sounds like a bit how we are at the moment, so maybe it is the one to back. I just wish we all had a chance to appreciate the effort so many places go to to capture the spirit of the day.

Skies clear for Cup parade | The Australian