This week's Illustration Friday prompt is "Tribute", so I sat here wondering what I should pay tribute to.
"Star Wars" came to mind since it's May 4th, as in "May the 4th Be With You" *groan*. Really, I'm not that much of a Star Wars geek. And Jar Jar Binks fully ruined whatever geekness I had to begin with.
I am, however, a bit of a closet horse racing fan. I don't gamble, I don't follow any particular horse or trainer, but I do love to watch a good horse race. The Kentucky Derby kicks off the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing and is run on the first Saturday of May - today!
So much power and speed and grace in two exciting minutes.
I know there is controversy around horse racing - with allegations of abuse or unhealthy conditions for the horses. I don't know, but I hope that's not the case. I think they are beautiful to watch, racing all out. And the jockeys - what a ride that must be!
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May the 4th Be With You as well. I am an old Star Wars geek - never really got into the earlier episodes. I've been to Churchill Downs but not during the derby. I agree with you, the race may seem exciting but when you really learn about how they train/condition the horses, you would not be as much of a fan. Dog racing too. The stuff they do to " prep" the horses before the race makes what Lance did look tame.
ReplyDeleteYeah, at least Lance and the other cheaters choose what they do to themselves. I'm pretty sure no one asks the racehorses.
DeleteIt is my eldest's 20th birthday today, so he hears that saying a lot. I said it to him on the phone just this morning, although his brother is by far the bigger Star Wars fan.
ReplyDeleteYour illustration is lovely. It looks like a stained glass window in some ways.
Happy 20th to him! May the... no, I won't repeat.
DeleteHorses are such impressive creatures. I love watching them run, but hate to think there may be cruelty involved. We've been to a few horse races at a track near us. We bet a dollar or two at a time, but get more enjoyment out of visiting the horses in their stables and then watching them run on the track.
ReplyDeleteI love your illustration! So colorful! But if you saw today's race, you know that all the horses and jockeys started out with vibrant colors, ended up all looking the same - Muddy Brown. :)
I did watch! It was an absolute mud fest! How fun is that??
DeleteGreat illustration; I really like the shapes of the colors, and the colors themselves. Striking, yet somehow calming....
ReplyDeleteOh thanks! The reference photo I used was black and white, so I just made up the colors :)
DeleteI can't watch horse racing. You so often see the horses break a leg as they go over a fence. I just don't like seeing the jockey's hit the horses either, and I'm not even a big animal lover!
ReplyDeleteI remember watching a major race a couple of years ago - which was it? A horse had to be euthanized right there on the track. Awful.
DeleteYou captured the chaos and excitement nicely! I watched the race yesterday. I experienced a mixture of emotions. I am always in awe of the beauty and grace of horses, but I hate to see them get whipped with those riding crops.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder if I'm fooling myself when I watch them and think they love racing and really want to win. I hope not, but you hafta wonder.
DeleteI'm a fan of horses, as I believe you know. I used to want to be a jockey until I weight more than 80lbs. That was around 5th grade...
ReplyDeleteYes, it looks terrifyingly fun! I find it interesting that the weight limit for the Kentucky Derby is 126 pounds. Why not 125? 130?
DeleteIf I had read this post "on time," I wouldn't have missed the Derby. :(
ReplyDeleteAs for your illustration - that's one for the frame!
Actually, they all are. :)
Thanks! The Derby was an exciting mudfest. Sorry you missed it.
DeleteWonderful perspective here...it feels like I'm back in the pack about to make a break on the inside rail. Terrific!
ReplyDelete