Types of Horse Race Events
The television networks give the famous Triple Crown races (the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes) such intensive coverage that you could almost get the impression that these are the only type of horse race events that really matter. But do some research on horse racing news websites and it doesn’t take long to discover that there are many other types of races. People have developed different kinds of races over the years that have then led to the development of different kinds of breeds that are suited to them.
You may also have seen a televised horse race where the horses pull a little cart, or sulky, with a driver kind of bouncing along in the cart behind them. This sort of racing is called harness racing, and involves a different breed of horse called the standard-bred. While this kind of race, too, runs on an oval track, it isn’t flat as the thoroughbred tracks are, but is banked at the turns. Quarter horse racing is yet another type of race, involving a breed of horses that run at great speed on a flat, straight track that’s a quarter mile long.
Those are the types of horse race most prevalent in North America, and events in all three kinds can be found in many other countries as well. But other types of horse races are more popular in different parts of the world, with some only starting to become popular here. For example, the Steeplechase, which is a race involving an obstacle course and several jumps the horse has to take, is very popular in Britain, though it’s not seen as often in the United States. And Arabian racing is just beginning to make its presence felt here, in new events established to promote Arabian race horses.
There is plenty of horse racing information on websites or from other sources to enhance your knowledge and enjoyment of this sport. But as you learn about the different kinds of horse race events, perhaps even discovering some that you weren’t aware of before, you might eventually become knowledgeable enough to place the occasional bet. But of course that isn’t necessary to your enjoyment; there is enough history, tradition and beauty in the sport that it can be enjoyed entirely for its own sake as well.
Beth Kaminski is the co-author of Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks which detailed anxiety or panic attacks as well as tips on the various anxiety attack medications available at anxietydisordercure.com.
