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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17 comments:
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.
It 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.
Your illustration is lovely. It looks like a stained glass window in some ways.
Horses 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.
I 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??
Happy 20th to him! May the... no, I won't repeat.
Yeah, at least Lance and the other cheaters choose what they do to themselves. I'm pretty sure no one asks the racehorses.
Great illustration; I really like the shapes of the colors, and the colors themselves. Striking, yet somehow calming....
Oh thanks! The reference photo I used was black and white, so I just made up the colors :)
I 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!
You 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.
I 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.
I 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.
I'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...
Yes, it looks terrifyingly fun! I find it interesting that the weight limit for the Kentucky Derby is 126 pounds. Why not 125? 130?
If I had read this post "on time," I wouldn't have missed the Derby. :(
As for your illustration - that's one for the frame!
Actually, they all are. :)
Thanks! The Derby was an exciting mudfest. Sorry you missed it.
Wonderful perspective here...it feels like I'm back in the pack about to make a break on the inside rail. Terrific!
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