Category: Animals In Sport

Grand National 2023. What we learned from it.

Another year, another Grand National, the usual outrage, drama and spectacle, but this year the added excitement of an Animal Rising invasion, but what did it achieve?

Another year, another Grand National, more drama and spectacle, but this year the added excitement of an Animal Rising invasion and protest, probably the first of many to come. It is a surprise it hasn’t happened before, but what did it achieve and what did we learn from the reaction to it?

We learned that the protestors perhaps need to increase their security to make sure their plans do not leak out if they are to be successful. There is a lot to be said for the good old surprise attack. But in retrospect the course invasion by Animal Rising was possibly counterproductive as it deflected media and public attention away from the welfare aspects and gave many people the opportunity to blame them for everything that went wrong during the event.

We discovered that the police are more zealous at removing protestors from a race meeting than they are in removing them from blocking our motorways causing ten of thousands of motorists misery and annoyance and damaging our economy. We now know where our priorities lie.

Grand National 2023

Futile Investigations.

It proved that the numerous futile investigations by the Horse Racing Authority, RSPCA, League Against Cruel Sports and others over the last decade and their various so called improvements have had no effect in reducing the suffering of horses. Most commentators are transfixed on the number of deaths caused but it is the number that do not finish and the punishment they suffer which is the crux of the problem.

The 2023 race resulted in 17 finishers and 22 casualties including two deaths, two seriously injured taken away by horse ambulance; one of them Cape Gentleman had surgery on a severed tendon and has had to be retired and the other Recite a Prayer had a fractured eye socket. Ten others pulled up unable to survive the strain and the others fell and unseated their riders. On average 60% of the field do not finish. All are caused trauma.

We learned that their is no middle ground for negotiation with both sides beliefs so far apart and entrenched. The protestors were variously described as hypocritical, ignorant, publicity seekers and doing it for their own gratification and not the welfare of the horses. All those with an interest in the sport accuse everyone else of not understanding while they have no interest in understanding the protesters viewpoint. Or as one petulant owner commented “It’s our sport and we love it, so there.”

“It was all caused by these so called animal lovers who are actually ignorant and have absolutely no idea about the welfare of horses.”

Sandy Thompson, Trainer to BBC Sport.

Protesters blamed for everything at Grand National.

Everyone connected with the race were quick to blame the protestors for everything bad that occurred. They were generally blamed for “compromising the horses welfare” by making them wait longer in the sun. Sandy Thompson trainer of Hill Sixteen who died at the first fence with a broken neck was quoted as saying the number of horses falling in the race “points to the fact they were unsettled by the delay.” As about 60 per cent of horses in every Grand National fall or never finish this must mean they are always unsettled which is not a good state surely.

He specifically blamed the protest for the death stating the twelve minute delay caused the horse to hypo-ventilate in the parade ring. Of course, even if this was so, he could have withdrawn it if he was worried, but didn’t.

A lady had her leg crushed by two unseated terrified horses which careered into her blamed it on the protestors who by their presence had stopped her from being able to leave. A rather tenuous link perhaps.

Riderless race horse

“extinction of the most majestic domesticated species on earth“

Many inane comments and statements made by those involved in the sport many of who were interviewed during the twelve minute delay have probably incensed the campaigners even more. One suggested: “Let’s give 20 horses to the protestors and see what they do with them, take them home and put them in their gardens?” and another: “Horses have a purpose in life, just like us all. Unfortunately, when people go to work, sometimes bad things happen.“

The rather overwrought Racing Post believed the “cabal of extremists” were hell bent on the “extinction of the most majestic domesticated species on earth,” and believed most people accepted the odd fatality in the cause of enjoying “the high-octane sporting event.”

Jockey’s Bob Champion and Peter Scudamore suggested the protesters would be appeased if they visited racing stables to see how well looked after the horses were, completely missing the point that the protests are what happens after they leave the safety of their stable. Most agreed they were attention and publicity seekers who knew nothing about horses and should keep their noses out of it.

No serious will to improve welfare.

Everyone knows what is required to improve the race, but are not willing to drastically reduce the number competing by a half, reduce the number and size of fences and the actual length of the race. Only 23 horses compete in the Scottish Grand National. But of course if this was done it would no longer be a pageant or spectacle just another horse race and no one wants that do they?

What the protest certainly achieved is a lot of vitriolic debate and childish name calling. And for all the wrong reasons many people will be looking forward to the next instalment in 2024.

Related Articles:

Why 62.5% of the Grand National runners did not finish.
Horrors of the Hobby Horse Hall Race Track Remembered

Christmas fox hunts reduced to pantomime.

It is now 17-years since fox hunts were banned, but thanks to what seem purposely included loopholes in the law and the impossibility of enforcing it, illegal hunting continues.

It is now 17-years since fox hunts were banned, but thanks to loopholes in the law and the impracticability of enforcing it, illegal hunting continues under the guise of exercising the hounds and drag hunts.

As entertainment, city and rural folk alike still love the theatre, tradition and fun of watching the hunt congregate and set off and will turn out in their thousands for the Boxing Day and New Year hunts little caring what happens afterwards. In areas that host a hunt it is all Tally Ho, port and mulled wine and of course children just love to mingle with the hounds.

Fox hunts Hound pack

Fox hunts have become pantomime.

There will be cheers and clapping from supporters and jeers and boos from a handful of valiant protestors to give the event some element of spice and a few police officers to keep things orderly.  Sadly the Yuletide hunts have become pantomimes for families looking to get some fresh air after the big day. Everyone will have a good time and the reason for any commotion caused by demonstrators will no doubt pass them by.

Violence is still common between the opposing sides and this state of affairs has perpetuated for nearly two decades and will continue probably for several more until the hunts fulfil their aim of overturning the ban. The more we attend these pantomimes without thought to what they represent the more credence we give to this aim. It gives them the opportunity to point out how much the public love them.

It does appear that the general public are not sufficiently aware of what constitutes a legal or illegal meet or even care. They may also be getting weary of the subject and have come to accept that hunting with dogs whether legal or not is here to stay. They obviously put their trust in the pillars of society who they see before them on horseback dressed in their liveried smart red, blue, yellow or black jackets to do the right thing. But as a recent event has shown this trust is unworthy.

Illegality encouraged by a hunt governing body.

There is no doubt that illegal fox hunting is common and that this trust we appear to have is undeserving, a fact well illustrated by the recent prosecution and guilty verdict of Mark Hankinson, the Director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association on the 15 October 2021. He was found guilty of encouraging illicit meets by holding secret webinars explaining to hunt bosses the best ways to disguise their drag hunts and was fined £1000 with costs of £2500. The judges summing up was quite condemning:

I am sure that the Defendant through his words was giving advice on how to illegally hunt. This was through the pretence of laying trails which it could be said the hounds were following. As he himself said, he was speaking to ‘like-minded people’ and could therefore speak freely. He did not expect his words to be recorded and released into the public domain.  It was clearly advice and encouragement to commit the offence of hunting a wild mammal with a dog. I am sure he intended to encourage the commission of that offence. I find the Defendant guilty of the offence before me.

Regina v Mark Hankinson

This even prompted the National Trust, a bastion of history and rural tradition to vote two to one to ban drag hunting on their land as many other landowners are doing.

Fox hunts Policing a fox trail hunt.

Class war obsession with fox hunts.

There has always been the accusation from hunt supporters that the ban was an attack on rural traditions and was part of a “class war obsession“, but fox hunting with hounds cannot be considered as an inclusive sport by any means.

There is a rather pompous etiquette associated with the sport which both human and equine participants must adhere to and a hierarchy amongst the inner sanctum. You need a sturdy bank balance just to kit yourself out without taking into consideration the cost of owning and caring for a horse. This discounts most normal hardworking people (as Governments like to call us) from being able to partake.

Worst gaffe is to refer to the hounds as dogs.

Among many other things the etiquette stresses that smartness is essential with a tweed, black or navy jacket worn over a shirt with a knotted tie, pale breeches, clean boots and gaiters, and dark gloves and hats. If a body protector is worn it must be under the jacket so as not to spoil the ensemble. For the “girls”, hairnets are allowed but only subtle make-up.

For some strange reason a horse’s mane must be plaited “as a courtesy to those whose land you are crossing,” otherwise you might be sent home like a naughty schoolchild. And most importantly you must smile and politely pass the time of day with the farmer or landowner whose land you are trashing should you come across him or her leaning on a gate.

Among the worst gaffes you can make is to refer to the hounds as dogs, is to overtake the master during the hunt and most importantly after the hunt has ended not to say thank you and goodnight (“which is the traditional way to say goodbye even if it is 9 a.m.”) to the master and secretary.

With all this in mind it is difficult not to label the blood sport as a class and well-heeled person’s pastime, but easy to believe that the present status of fox hunting can only be described as a charade.

Related Articles:

Boxing Day Hunts still attract crowds & violence.
Hunting with dogs and the “unenforceable” ban.