Page 10 - January 2009 The Game

10 The Game, January 2009
An Ounce of Protection...
Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
jacket and knee-pads, courtesy of the extreme downhill mountain biking industry. The ak-jacket, in addition to the rib and spine protection, also offers shoulder protection over the collarbones, which my informal surveys have revealed to be perhaps the most common major injury plaguing exercise riders. To my way of thinking, an ounce of protection is worth a pound of Perkocet.
I know I can’t exercise racehorses
for the rest of my life, but I do hope
to ride for another few years. To
me it seems crazy not to protect my biggest investment in this sport, namely my body. On a regular basis
I encounter skateboarders who wear better protection than exercise riders. It’s not so much that I worry about getting hurt, which one accepts as a necessary risk with an exhilarating and physically demanding job. What
I hope to avoid is the downtime and subsequent loss of income that follows an injury. In only three years I’ve already had some hectic spills, roll- overs and breakdowns. Thus far I’ve been lucky enough to walk away from all of them with only minor injuries. But how long does one continue to ignore the writing on the wall without taking the obvious hint?
Reaction to my new riding gear has been mixed. Some of the younger riders expressed interest, recognizing the obvious potential bene ts. Admittedly, it’s a different look, like Mad Max crossed with a cartoon superhero. Not so different from what equestrian three-day eventers wear as protection. Of course, some people
I blame the accident on my computer. With the racing season drawing to a close and fewer horses to gallop, I’d taken to writing early before leaving
which is why I lost track of time and arrived at the track fteen minutes later than usual. But the lly I rode rst thing was tacked and ready at six. By the time I reached the shedrow she’d been pawing and fretting for twenty minutes. Our pony escort had already departed for his next assignment. “We’ll be okay,” I assured the trainer.
the gap. I stopped at the corner of the nearest barn to survey the damage. To my surprise it didn’t feel so bad. No broken teeth, at least.
by evenSteven
for the backstretch. On this particular Friday morning the writing went well,
The lly galloped ne without her escort and behaved perfectly until
the very end of the ride. Just as we reached the off-gap, a combination of the dark and fog and horses galloping by set her off. In a blind panic she began side-pedaling towards the edge of the steel-framed gate. I tried to spin her away but she wouldn’t steer. Right before we struck the gate I sat back in the saddle tugged on the lines. The lly stopped and missed the gate but threw herself over backwards instead. I tried to jump clear but my boot stuck in the pedal. As we lay
“I thought my face was trashed and
I didn’t want anyone to see it,” I told him, still holding my face in my hands.
Specialized Manure Removal
took off running, me thrashing between her front legs. Her hooves struck me two
in the mud I cursed my thick-soled all-weather Ariats and tried to kick my foot loose. The lly jumped to her feet and yanked me upside down so I dangled like a marionette. Then she
That afternoon I took my dog for
a walk on the North Shore. As
we strolled along I pondered the implications of my near brush with disaster. I found myself engaged in the kind of intense self-re ection that having your face tromped on by a thousand pound animal can sometimes inspire. As I walked along a pack of extreme mountain bikers passed me.
A moment later the rst aid attendant ran over. “I can’t believe you got up from that,” he said.
He winced: “Better let me take a look.”
Bridles
Reins
Girths
Martingales
Side Reins
Lead Shanks
Stud Shanks Newmarket Shanks
Manufacturers of quality tack including:
Exercise Saddles Belly Pads Jumping Boots Ankle Boots Breaking Surcingles Anti-Cast Surcingles Chambons
Halters: Foal, Weanling, Yearling, 2-Year-Old, Mare, Stallion
Custom Work, Repairs, Chaps, Nameplates, Horse Supplies, Gifts
12972 Hwy 27, Nobleton, ON L0G 1N0 905-859-4052 Fax:905-939-8096 Email: info@finchamsharness.com
www.finchamsharness.com
I took my hands away and a look of disbelief crossed his features. “I can’t believe it,” he said. “You’ve got a few small cuts but that’s it.”
Further examination revealed my nose had migrated to a more westerly position on my face. Not so bad, I decided. It could de nitely have been worse. As if to con rm my good fortune, all morning people reminded me: You are a lucky man.
Manure, Sawdust & Shavings Removal
Trucking Fees Only - No Tipping Fees Call Today: 519-647-2105 or 905-645-4981
CARDINAL KIA
FOR YOUR NEW & USED CARS
NO CREDIT, BAD CREDIT NO PROBLEM
By the end of the weekend I’d equipped myself with a new ack-
thought it looked pretty funny...and perhaps it does. But I’d rather
or three times in the face before my foot popped free and the lly galloped away.
As the siren blew the ‘loose horse’ warning, I jumped up and ran off
I couldn’t help but notice their safety gear. Varying degrees of specialty armour covered their bodies from head to toe. Equipment designed to both protect and be comfortable and stylish at the same time. A bulb winked alight in my head.
Thoroughbred Trainer
~ JOHN CIRILLO ~
Accepting New Owners for the 2009 Woodbine Season
• Experienced, Knowledgeable
• Training for more than 40 Years
Call today: 647-223-4716
WO
RG
O O
be considered
a source of amusement than take myself too seriously. I don’t mind sporting the bent-nosed look
of a down-and-out boxer, but I prefer to breathe easily. I guess my priorities are changing. With a baby on
N E
RS
MS Low Monthly Payments &
&
Low Down Payments Ride Today!
Call Mr. Ralph for Approval 905-371-0622• 1-877-444-4484 Cardinal KIA
7818 Oakwood Dr., Niagara Falls, Ontario
WWW.CARDINALKIA.COM
H O T W A L
T R
2 Locations
GAIL WOOD
P.O. Box 164, Hillsburgh, ON N0B 1Z0 519-855-4915 www.woodlandsfarm.com
the way, I won’t have any extra time to spend hanging around the emergency ward...not when a bit of extra protection could be worth all the cure in the world.
AI
N E R S
KE
R S
Broodmare Farm: • Boarding
• Lay-Ups
• Broodmare Care
• Foaling
Training Farm: • Sales Prep/
Representation • Bloodstock
Consultation • Training
The Game January 2009.indd 10
12/18/08 7:58:48 AM
YO