A general musing. Racing and hunting.

T

The wife

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Does supporting the Grand National and pro hunting go hand in hand? Do you dislike both or do you support hunting but not racing?

Dont want this to turn into a Grand National debate but on the whole I have found that generally people who agree with hunting are also pro-jump racing. :)

Play nice guys, it's just a musing ;)
 
The wife said:
Does supporting the Grand National and pro hunting go hand in hand? Do you dislike both or do you support hunting but not racing?

Dont want this to turn into a Grand National debate but on the whole I have found that generally people who agree with hunting are also pro-jump racing. :)

Play nice guys, it's just a musing ;)
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I support both. Though I am sure some people would support racing and not hunting, but I doubt it would be the other way around. However, I could be totally wrong!
 
I support the right for freedom of choice, so to that extent I would put myself in the pro-hunt and pro-jump race. Although in reality I'm not an avid follower of either.
 
Steeplechasing (National Hunt racing) was started as a means of getting and keeping hunt horses fit by racing from one village to another, across country, using the local church steeples as reference points. So it would seem reasonable that people would support both, though I suspect a lot of jump racing fans these days may be anti hunting. Or not have an opinion either way.
 
I support both. I love going hunting, it's a great social thing and part of English history. As is racing...
I'll have a few bets on tomorrow but doubt I'll actually watch the race... I hate seeing horses fall is all.
Its the fact that non-horsey people think it's safer because the fences are lower! Erm... Bigger fences, horses back themselves, steadier race... Smaller fences... Well it's just flat out.
 
Char0901 said:
I support both. I love going hunting, it's a great social thing and part of English history. As is racing...
I'll have a few bets on tomorrow but doubt I'll actually watch the race... I hate seeing horses fall is all.
Its the fact that non-horsey people think it's safer because the fences are lower! Erm... Bigger fences, horses back themselves, steadier race... Smaller fences... Well it's just flat out.
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That is my problem, to me it has lost the fun element, I know I am a bit more of a wimp now I am older, but in Ye Olden Days the GN was a very high risk race, and there is no doubt that there are better safety measures for horses and jockeys.
When I went hunting both me and my horse were there for a nice day out, not to risk life and limb.
 
I support both, I think you are right - friends I have who do not support hunting, don't like racing either, or Badminton for that matter!
 
I enjoy racing although I'm opposed to big races such as the GN as I believe there are too many horses in the race. I like the idea of hunting but would only ever partake in drag hunting as Im opposed to blood sports.
 
I won't have any involvement in any sport where animal welfare takes a back seat to money, which includes horse racing and greyhound racing. I'm not opposed to hunting, although would only drag hunt myself.
 
BethanT said:
I support both. Though I am sure some people would support racing and not hunting, but I doubt it would be the other way around. However, I could be totally wrong!
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actually there are many people who support hunting but not racing that i know of
 
I don't have an opinion either way. If people want to hunt, then ok. If people want to race, then ok. If they treat their horses right they are good people, if they don't they are bad people. What sport they do has no relevance.
 
I love both, hunted regularly until they killed the thrill of the chase, drag hunting is no fun as the route is planned the challenge was always over whatever country was in front of you. National hunt racing has become much more personal these days as the horses now enjoy celebrity status but this backfires when a popular horse is killed on the track as it is much more public
 
I'm not involved with hunting or racing, but every year without fail my extended family on my late mother's side gets together and puts one pound on every horse in the the National. We then tell my Gran that her horse won. She pretends to be very pleased to have picked the winner every time, and the rest of the family congratulate one another on making her happy. Gran knows of course, but much prefers that everyone believes her to have been fooled. I have no idea how many of us actually know the truth about this. Sometimes I wonder if my Gran secretly owns the local bookmakers...
 
Support hunting but dislike racing in any form due to the age they are started and the accidents in things like nh. Worked at gold cup once in one of the boxes and you hear of all the fallers and injuries, not nice. OH had works do at racecourse once to watch the racing and all his colleagues were amazed I wouldn't go as they know I am horsey so just assumed it would be my bag !
 
ihatework said:
I support the right for freedom of choice, so to that extent I would put myself in the pro-hunt and pro-jump race. Although in reality I'm not an avid follower of either.
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My philosophy too. My horse hunts. I like watching NH racing. I grew up with both of them. I wouldn't say I was an avid supporter of either, but I do put myself firmly in the "freedom of choice" camp.

P
 
I love hunting, and go regularly. I'm very apathetic about racing, I'm not against it but don't watch the Grand National. I'll go to the hunt's point to point, but its more about supporting the hunt than anything else.
 
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