Attendees consciously prioritize their own fleeting pleasure over the suffering and death of other sentient beings. For shame. For shame....
The website for “The Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens” in Pine
Mountain, Georgia, boasted the following in advance of this year’s
running on November 7: “Each November, magnificent champion
thoroughbred horses gather on the Callaway grounds to charge through
our stunning woodland setting. Thrilling jumps and deft maneuvers
will leave you breathless, while the foxhound parade will put a
smile on your face. On Saturday, savor a picnic on the infield, show
off a traditional race hat, and soak in the festive hunt club
atmosphere.”
In this “festive atmosphere,” says the Stewards’ Report, two of
those “magnificent champion thoroughbred horses” were killed.
Killed. In the 4th race, Zanzi Win, five, “fell at the next to last
hurdle, was not able to get up, and was euthanized on the course.”
Very next race, Just a Whim, four, “fell at the last fence, did not
get up and was euthanized on the course.” Two dead horses right
there on the course in back to back races. Still, the stewards
closed with this:
“The race committee is to be congratulated on their efforts to put
on the race meet and putting in place all the procedures and
safeguards to enable patrons to attend in a safe environment. The
turf on the racecourse was in excellent condition and the clerk of
the course is to be congratulated on providing lush turf.”
Wow.
As to those “patrons” – why were they even there in the midst of a
raging pandemic? – let me just say this: Shaming, the experts
admonish, is an ineffective way to modify other people’s behavior.
Worse, we’re told, it likely deepens divides, more firmly
entrenching positions. But sorry, with the wicked steeplechase I can
think of no other word but shame. If you’ve never been but are
considering, there’s no excuse: information on steeplechase cruelty
is readily available. If you have, you know first hand that horses
fall and are injured regularly at these events – in addition to the
two dead, six other horses went down at Callaway, one colliding with
Zanzi – and you must know that some die (as mentioned, the two above
were euthanized where they lay). Which means you consciously
prioritize your own fleeting pleasure over the suffering and death
of other sentient beings. For shame. For shame.