Just a question

[Twomanydawgs]

I find it kind of odd that it seems that more than a few people who post on here it seems practically RUN to their computers to post on this forum when something happens like what happened today at Churchill...is it because most of these hysterical posters are teenagers or just people lacking something in their lives? Seriously...

[VirginiaBred]

Seriously?

Because we all are horse owners who are in a community of horse owners and we feel this is one place that we can come together and morn, celebrate, commiserate, and have discussions.

And I'm not a teenager.

With the nasty tone of your message..............one wonders what your point really is...............

[mroades]

yep...notice it all the time. Why can't we all just be sad for the filly and her "people" and either watch racing or eventing or a horse getting up from rolling OR NOT. Do what you can to make the sport better/safer wahtever but stop pontificating on a BB
Yep, had a hunter break his leg in half in the paddock getting up from a nice roll....it happens!

[Twomanydawgs]

THAT was my point Mroades...I mean come on ,there were ppl on here during and right after the race...jingles this and omg that...it just gets annoying to see all the bleeding heart posts...and every LITTLE thing that goes on in their lives...UGH..shite happens people!!!

[*jumper*]

I agree. And it bugs me that so many people are vehemently exclaiming that they're "done with racing." Really? Don't get me wrong, Eight Belles' breakdown ripped my heart up just as much as anyone else's. I cried. This day will haunt me forever, just as much as Barbaro's breakdown does. I don't like seeing ANY horse get hurt (who does?!!), but I'm not going to swear off racing or any other sport because of it. The people in racing care so much about their horses (the good majority, at least), and they don't want these things to happen any more than we do. If anything, they need our support right now, just like eventing does. If we simply say "omg that was horrible I'm never watching a race again" do you think that will make things better?? It's called turning a blind eye, and last time I checked, that doesn't fix things. Taking action does. We need to rethink how these industries are run and how we can make things better. Just take a peek at some of the posts on the eventing board to see how people are brainstorming ways to make the sport better and safer. That's what racing needs. And even if and when equestrian sports are made safer, horses will still get hurt and die. That's called life. No matter how safe we make cars, people will still die in car accidents, etc. I'm not saying I like it or think it's ok, but it happens, and if we can't look beyond that to find answers, it'll only get worse.

[Jumphigh83]

Maybe it's the estrogen! Emotion is a funny thing...it is easy to get caught up in the blame game. If you have/ride/jump/event/hunt/barrel race/etc/etc you are going to see heartbreak at sometime in your "career". It is LIFE. Stack the odds in the favor of safety and sanity and hope for the best. Too bad for the filly and her people. The great ones never say I can't. They keep going until they break. <<<sigh>>>>>

[BabyGoose]

I posted right away because I was sitting here watching it with my laptop, I'm sick with a cold so didn't go outside to play with my horses etc. I posted because it was heartbreaking to me, and I know that on here there are other people who would also be heartbroken. My husband wouldn't get it, I knew other horse people would. I'm far from a teenager. It was simply to talk to other people who would feel the same. Sorry our bleeding hearts offend you. Don't read the thread then.

[Twomanydawgs]

Just find it really odd that alot are "glued" to this bb...I know when I see or have something happen my first thought is not to go running to this bb to commeserate...something is definately lacking in your lives in imo and obviously I'm not the only one who made this observation.

[Laurierace]

Just find it really odd that alot are "glued" to this bb...I know when I see or have something happen my first thought is not to go running to this bb to commeserate...something is definately lacking in your lives in imo and obviously I'm not the only one who made this observation.

Are you posting this from your blackberry while in a club in Vegas?

[VirginiaBred]

Just find it really odd that alot are "glued" to this bb...I know when I see or have something happen my first thought is not to go running to this bb to commeserate...something is definately lacking in your lives in imo and obviously I'm not the only one who made this observation.


Ahh, but here YOU are...............posting with the rest of us.

[Twomanydawgs]

READ AND COMPREHEND...I said the ones who run immediately to their computers to post on here.. the race ended how many hours ago??? There were ppl posting IMMEDIATELY...and how many threads are there about the mare????

[Tiempo]

Ahh, but here YOU are...............posting with the rest of us.

Exactly.

OP, you really need to get over yourself.

Personally, I came on right after the race filled with shock and sadness to be able to work it out with people who would understand.

If that makes me a sad sack with no life then so be it.

[AppJumpr08]

wow... have a glass of wine! Sit back and relax!!

I was on the BB before and during the race because I like to feel connected with other people who love the same things I do. And Yes, I posted a thread about the filly because I was so horrified by what I had just seen. One of the first, i think.. but that's besides the point.

If you don't like it, don't hang out at the BB. Simple as that.

[bird4416]

I came running here to see if the race track people had any more information and could tell me what happened. There is a hell of a lot more knowledge here than on network TV.

[CoolMeadows]

I had my laptop open while I was watching... why is it wrong to be sharing with fellow horse lovers while watching the Derby? I had some fantastic rides today, gorgeous weather and decided to watch the race before going back out to feed and turn out. I wish I'd never seen her down, but this BB is a place where *almost* every horseperson can find someone or something they identify with. I think it's human nature to seek out like-minded people when they're hurting or shocked or looking for information just as much as it's human nature to enjoy good times with IRL friends. My IRL friends aren't all horse people, I could never type out my posts here to them without getting a :confused: back.

[VirginiaBred]

Y'all, what is it we've been told before..............oh yes!

Don't feed the troll

[PlatosGurl]

Ditto bird, for me. When I saw her down on the track and the network commentators weren't saying anything, I came here to see if anyone had any information. With this many horse people in one place, you often hear things first here.

[slc2]

Um...the original poster may have missed that in the last ten years, the internet has become exactly that - what people run to every time something happens. Welcome to 1998, LOL. It's been going on for a long time.

As one teacher wrote, 'I don't get mad when my students browse the internet during my class...that's how they listen'...I'm not recommending that, but anyway.

The internet is where a lot of people spend a lot of time. Partly because many working people spend most of their waking hours on the computer at work and in the evenings at home, and partly because young people spend an immense amount of leisure time on the internet. As one teenager told me yesterday, 'The TV sucks. The internet is a lot less boring'.

Horse people are in a special situation. If they're at home, school or work, they usually have no way to talk to other horse people, except the internet. Most people aren't in a situation where they constantly have horse people to talk to in person.

[Twomanydawgs]

You are right Jumphigh..must be the estrogen...good lord...:eek:...regumate stat!

[Petstorejunkie]

i post on COTH daily because i have a flexible job that allows me the free time to do so, enjoy witty discussions with like minded horsey people... and i dont have TV.
... oh and the trainwrecks are GREAT to read over wine. :lol:

[Kenike]

I'm one who occasionally runs directly here when something happens. It's when I'm home, have the computer up, and there is something going on (like the race today). Certainly not all the time.

Why? Because I'm a stay-at-home mom (for now) who knows the best information will come from this board. Some of the people who post are there, are in contact with someone there, or something. Rumors happen, too, but are usually quickly put to rest.

I'm far from a teenager, too. At this point when I'm home, I'm usually online somewhere (though I'm not always in front of the computer....days like this are a little odd). Otherwise, I'm out with my boy doing something fun or at the barn playing with the ponies.

[ItchyRichie]

some of us are watching the race with a computer (laptop in my case) nearby and because we are fortunate enough to live in the year 2008 we take advantage of the technology we have to communicate with each other, and since we desire to expand our viewpoints and take in the opinions of people who actually know a thing or two about horses (rather then my parents who can't tell the difference between big brown and my old paint pony), we come to forums when something that's a big deal happens.

Hope that made sense.

[bascher]

Ditto bird, for me. When I saw her down on the track and the network commentators weren't saying anything, I came here to see if anyone had any information. With this many horse people in one place, you often hear things first here.

That is exactly the reason that I came on here. I felt that because COTH has so many people that have so many connections and are so knowledgable, we would hear things first. Also, I was on my computer during the race because I'm studying for finals. No I'm not glued to the computer, but my TV was having problems (fuzzy, no sound, etc) so I came on here to see what others had to say.

[Laurierace]

READ AND COMPREHEND...I said the ones who run immediately to their computers to post on here.. the race ended how many hours ago??? There were ppl posting IMMEDIATELY...and how many threads are there about the mare????

Ok so if you wait three hours and then post, you have a life? Is that sort of like the waiting period to buy a handgun?

[Twomanydawgs]

Yea Laurie I have a life...It may have been 3 hours after the race I posted this question but it was only after I had finished my day outside taking care of horses, house,etc...I don't have my pc attached to mty hip so that I can post on here the minute there is a crisis in the world or my life nor do I feel the need to...that is what I find odd and what I was commenting on. Now I have to go...I have a life to attend to...give the fingers a rest girls, we can't have you getting carpal tunnel and not be able to give everyone your two cents on EVERYTHING. Geez imagine that...THE HORROR...WHAT WOULD WE ALL DO?????:no:

[Jumphigh83]

I see where you are coming from OP..I feel like tragedy is intensely personal and I wouldn't be one to come here (public BB) to "grieve". I guess it is different strokes for different folks. Information is one thing (available on TV as you watch the event) but I can see where the collective commiseration could be a foreign concept to a lot of people (me included).

[BabyGoose]

Yea Laurie I have a life...It may have been 3 hours after the race I posted this question but it was only after I had finished my day outside taking care of horses, house,etc...I don't have my pc attached to mty hip so that I can post on here the minute there is a crisis in the world or my life nor do I feel the need to...that is what I find odd and what I was commenting on. Now I have to go...I have a life to attend to...give the fingers a rest girls, we can't have you getting carpal tunnel and not be able to give everyone your two cents on EVERYTHING. Geez imagine that...THE HORROR...WHAT WOULD WE ALL DO?????:no:

Based on the amount of replies to the Eight Belles thread, I guess there are a lot of people who feel the need to be in the company of like minded people in a situation like this. If it is not your cup of tea, that is fine. I don't see how it is harming you in any way. Just ignore the thread. By you starting this thread it seems like YOU have the need to put your two cents in. To me your tone is rather insulting to those who choose to come here and talk about a tragic situation. Like I said, it is fine if you don't feel the need to do the same, but please don't come on here and insult those that do.

[mroades]

I dont think anyone was insulted..well, not initially....just an observation....yall deal with it however, but we can observe and comment too. n'est pas?