Eight Belles

[Stephanie]

Anyone else think that this could have been avoided? And anybody else have opinions on how great that filly did, besides being the only filly in the field, coming in second, and being 17 hands? I just really don't know... I used to like racing as a kid, but now that I've seen this and the other tons of accidents like this happening all over the racing industry, sometimes I thnk that maybe people should wait until a tb is 4, and then try racing them?

[Simone]

i think its a pretty hard subject to take a standpoint from. its plain and clear that these animals were born to run and they love doing it, but as always with an industry based in money, theres sad alternatives. i think overall though, this was just an example of a terrible accident that can happen in this trying and dangerous sport. ive read recently in the eventing news, that fifteen deaths alone this year, have caused officials to reconsider in depth the rules and regulations of cross country. just from these examples, and others, i think that as the horse world progresses, people keep on coming up with ways to "make things more challenging" and "see how far the horses and riders can go." people just need to take a step back and remember that these are lives that we are dealing with here, and that the pure enjoyment and fun of the equine sports needs to be first and foremost.

[Jenny W.]

so sad! i was rooting for her, and really hoped that she would win...man she tried her heart out

[Brooke]

Its super touchy. I agree that horses shouldnt be broken until they are older because of their bodies... but racing isnt going to change that. to start them at 4 is paying twice as much as they already do if not more for the horses to live with them longer. (i dont agree with this but looking at it this way you can definatly tell why they race at 2) also nearly everything they do to those poor horses is awful. some race horses dont even see grass until they are no longer racing, and the way they shoe for racing is not good for their hooves. but it is a great event to watch and I have a horse that previously raced and he has no problems related to racing so some are just fine with it. but what happened to eight belles was just unlucky. that can happen to any horse. it is too bad that there have been so many horrible crashes lately, all we can hope is that this can just get better.

[Paul_Hilton93]

I agree with everyone about waiting for the horses to be atleast 4 when thier bodies are devloped, and I think they might do better on the track too. They're more developed and everything so they would be able to perform better. Its like putting a JV football player straight into the NFL it just doesn't make sense.

[Katelyn]

I am not a big fan of horse racing. Most of the horses aren't loved the money they make is loved. They aren't treated properly, they are never good enough. and if they dont do good they mostly get killed. but anyways my heart goes out to everyone who truly loved Eight Belles. I loved her a lot. I cried for so long when I heard. I am still upset over it. and yes, it could have been avoided. like try a new track substance or wait til they are older.