Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-11-26
Horse Racing at Fairs.
Farm Field and Fireside.


We are not basty Ia forming our
opinions on all subjects, and we are
not prepared to give our opinions as
yet in regard to horse racing at fairs.
As there are always two sides to
every question, the matter of racing Is
no exception TO the rule,
There are many persons who object
to the races on the lair grounds, but
we doubt if their objects coincide.
Some take what they call moral
view of the matter, considering racing
wrong and an evil to be avoided,
while others see no improperly In
races but consider them out of place
on the fair grounds. Then, again,
there is a third class, who do not oh
iect to races at all, but who consider it
unwise to devote too much Of the re
ceipts to the racing, while overlook
ing more important matters among
the exhibits.
If we will take an impartial view of
the situation we must maintain that
horses are stock; that they have as
much right at the fairs as anything
else that may be displayed; that they
should be tried and tested according
to tkeir merits, and 10 conformity
with the objects for which they are
bred. Without their presence the fair
would not be complete, and blank
would appear upon the records de7ot-
ed to that class of stock. Competitive
trials develop the highest qualities of
an animal. They display to the wit
nessess more IN an hour than can be
learned In lifetime. The form, the
action, the method of driving, the
speed, the endurance and the quality
of the animals are displayed IN the
presence of thousand who never before
witnessed such an exhibition, and a
desire to emulate the breeding is at
once created on the part of those who
are there for the purpose of seeing
what trotter can perform.
As to the morality of the proceeding
it is fair to presume that at the fair
grounds no betting Is allowed. If
the races were prohibited at the fairs
they would be witnessed on the regu-
lar course where gambling is recog-
nized as part of the sport, and where
ladies and children would have no
secure opportunity of enjoying the
competitions. No races are immoral
that are conducted without injury to
the beasts and with due respect to de-
cency and propriety. The stakes at
fairs are simply premiums offered, and
are awarded as prizes to the successful
animals engaged in the contests.
It may be said IN favor of the racin q
at fairs that attendance on that portion
of the fair grounds known as the race
c0HLse is not compulsory, While racing
may be desired by some Of the visitors
there is nothing to prevent others
from spending their time on other por~
tons OF the grounds, remaining away
from the race course, with more free
dom during the inspection of exhibits
as there will be less crowding by reas-
on OF the attractions of the races.
Thus, each individual can please him
self by either enjoying the contests
or avoiding the race course altogether.
Having given our opinion in favor
of racing tat fairs as viewed from one
standpoint, let us now consider it
from another, which is that too much
is appropriated for racing and too lit
tie as premiums. ii is true that strong
indUcement must be made IN order TO
secure attendance CT celebrated horses,
but we THINK 1t wiser to debar all such
unless entered as exhibits. If they
will not enter, let the contests be be
tween the horses OF the fair, even if
they are without records, and, instead
of devoting large sums TO the purses OF
jockeys, give greater sums to prem
iums on all classes of stock. In other
words, while we favor racing at fairs,
we Go not favor the Inducements OF
large sums to professional jockeys and
their horses, but believe that the con
tests should be of a character that al
lows the well bred farm horse a
chance, and the true object of racing
at fairs will be attaind, which is the
improvement of our roadsters. We
would be happy to know that com
petition between animals must take
place whenever possible. with all
classes of stock, as we have no doubt
such practice will only result in bene-