The Omak Suicide Race
is one of the most dangerous horse races in the world
If you've heard of Omak, a tiny saddle town in Northeast Washington, it's probably because of the Omak Suicide Race, which each year attracts thousands of onlookers -- and some fervent protesters. "It's what puts our town on the map," said Omak mayor Walt Smith once, just before the race began. "I get calls pro and con about it. Some people don't understand it."
The Suicides are horse races that have been held almost every year since 1935. There's one on each day of Omak's annual four-day rodeo. With townsfolk and tourists lining the course, the same group of 15 to 20 riders and their mounts gallop approxmately 40 yards, hurtle down a 225-foot decline of 62 degrees for about 20 seconds, swim or slog 100 yards across the Okanogan River, scramble up a dirt ramp and sprint 100 yards to the finish line inside the packed Stampede Rodeo Arena. Each race takes anywhere from one to two minutes.
Simply reaching the finish area is an achievement...
First of all, horses don't commit suicide.
But they do fracture legs, necks and backs when driven off 120-foot drops in the annual Omak Suicide Race.
But they do fracture legs, necks and backs when driven off 120-foot drops in the annual Omak Suicide Race.
The Omak Suicide Race is one of the most dangerous horse races in the world and is held every year during the second week of August, in Omak, Washington as a part of the Omak Stampede (http://www.omakstampede.org/ ), a rodeo.
Held for more than 70 years, the race is known for the portion of the race where horses and riders run down Suicide Hill, a 62-degree slope that runs for 225 feet (69 m) to the Okanogan River.
Animal-rights groups have been pushing for an end to the race for about 25 years, during which at least 21 horses, including Chavez, have died. Three horses died in the 2004 race.
Horse dies in bid to qualify for this year's Omak Suicide Race
August 9, 2012
A horse event called the Omak Suicide Race has drawn criticism over the death of a horse in a qualifying trial.
The Humane Society of the United States has condemned the death and renewed its criticism of the event, run annually in Washington State.
The society says horses are forced to run at full gallop down a 210 foot long bank on a 60-degree slope. It is known as Suicide Hill.
The animals must then cross the Okanogan River, during which they may go under, it says. Its banks are also covered in rocks and debris, posing a hazard to the horses.
Most of the riders who take part are young members of the Colville Confederated Tribes and the race is considered a rite of passage for young warriors.
The horse that died was a six-year-old thoroughbred named Little Big Man. He died after breaking his front leg while attempting to complete a qualifying test.
Little Big Man, ridden by Jason Meusy, reportedly stumbled at the bottom of the hill as he entered the river. He had difficulty keeping his footing in the river with his broken leg and ultimately went under.
The humane society’s Washington state director, Dan Paul, said: “The Omak Suicide Race forces horses into a hazardous situation, inflicting stress, injuries, and possible death for the sake of competition.
“Horses are our companions and should not be placed at risk in an event that has such a terrible track record of fatalities.
“The stress and trauma endured by these horses make this type of racing unacceptable, and we call on race organizers to end this event before another horse is hurt or killed.”
It said at least 23 horses had reportedly died during the race since 1983. It is unknown how many horses die or are seriously injured during training, the practice trials or after the race.
The last horses to die in the Suicide Race itself was in 2004, when three perished.
But according to the humane society, at least one horse died during the practice trials as witnessed by a Wall Street Journal reporter in 2007. The same year, another horse was shot at his owner’s property shortly after surviving the race due to catastrophic post-race injuries. An HSUS employee witnessed another horse nearly drown during the practice trials.
Horses who survive the practice trials are then forced to participate in the Suicide Race for four consecutive days, it says, adding: “The Suicide Race is unlike any other horse racing or rodeo event and is the most dangerous such spectacle the HSUS is aware of, for both horses and riders.”
However, race organisers said safety measure were in place to make the race as safe as possible for horses and jockeys.
The Suicide Racers Owners and Jockeys Association, which organises the race, released a statement saying that Little Big Man, owned by Jerry Ford and ridden by Meusy, both from the Spokane Indian Reservation, had an accident while attempting to complete the third and final qualification test for this year’s Suicide Race.
It said Little Big Man came down the hill behind veteran jockey, Casey Nissen on Super Dave, when Little Big Man stumbled at the bottom of the hill, fracturing a front leg.
Meusy was able to safely get to shore while the boat crew attempted to recover Little Big Man.
Complicated with a fractured leg, the horse had difficulty keeping his feet in the river current, making it difficult for the boat crew to retrieve the horse.
Ultimately, the horse went under water and surfaced downstream near the Omak Bridge.
The association continued: “For 77 years the Suicide Race has thrilled fans who have come to watch these jockeys and horses compete.
“And although we have had tragic accidents in the past, the Owners and Jockeys Association has implemented measures to make this race as safe as possible for both horse and rider.
“This race has never been about stardom, money, or glory. Long before it was the World Famous Suicide Race this race was traditionally done as a rite of passage, a demonstration of our young warriors and their horses’ ability to become one.
“We have prided ourselves in our ability to demonstrate our traditions as horse warriors.
“Owners, jockeys and horses train hard year round for this race and when we lose a horse it impacts the entire racing community. We are saddened by the loss of Little Big Man and extend our prayers to the Jerry Ford Racing Family.”
It says the association has determined that the course is safe and that the river is safe to cross.
The 79th running of the race is set for this weekend.
Source
A horse event called the Omak Suicide Race has drawn criticism over the death of a horse in a qualifying trial.
The Humane Society of the United States has condemned the death and renewed its criticism of the event, run annually in Washington State.
The society says horses are forced to run at full gallop down a 210 foot long bank on a 60-degree slope. It is known as Suicide Hill.
The animals must then cross the Okanogan River, during which they may go under, it says. Its banks are also covered in rocks and debris, posing a hazard to the horses.
Most of the riders who take part are young members of the Colville Confederated Tribes and the race is considered a rite of passage for young warriors.
The horse that died was a six-year-old thoroughbred named Little Big Man. He died after breaking his front leg while attempting to complete a qualifying test.
Little Big Man, ridden by Jason Meusy, reportedly stumbled at the bottom of the hill as he entered the river. He had difficulty keeping his footing in the river with his broken leg and ultimately went under.
The humane society’s Washington state director, Dan Paul, said: “The Omak Suicide Race forces horses into a hazardous situation, inflicting stress, injuries, and possible death for the sake of competition.
“Horses are our companions and should not be placed at risk in an event that has such a terrible track record of fatalities.
“The stress and trauma endured by these horses make this type of racing unacceptable, and we call on race organizers to end this event before another horse is hurt or killed.”
It said at least 23 horses had reportedly died during the race since 1983. It is unknown how many horses die or are seriously injured during training, the practice trials or after the race.
The last horses to die in the Suicide Race itself was in 2004, when three perished.
But according to the humane society, at least one horse died during the practice trials as witnessed by a Wall Street Journal reporter in 2007. The same year, another horse was shot at his owner’s property shortly after surviving the race due to catastrophic post-race injuries. An HSUS employee witnessed another horse nearly drown during the practice trials.
Horses who survive the practice trials are then forced to participate in the Suicide Race for four consecutive days, it says, adding: “The Suicide Race is unlike any other horse racing or rodeo event and is the most dangerous such spectacle the HSUS is aware of, for both horses and riders.”
However, race organisers said safety measure were in place to make the race as safe as possible for horses and jockeys.
The Suicide Racers Owners and Jockeys Association, which organises the race, released a statement saying that Little Big Man, owned by Jerry Ford and ridden by Meusy, both from the Spokane Indian Reservation, had an accident while attempting to complete the third and final qualification test for this year’s Suicide Race.
It said Little Big Man came down the hill behind veteran jockey, Casey Nissen on Super Dave, when Little Big Man stumbled at the bottom of the hill, fracturing a front leg.
Meusy was able to safely get to shore while the boat crew attempted to recover Little Big Man.
Complicated with a fractured leg, the horse had difficulty keeping his feet in the river current, making it difficult for the boat crew to retrieve the horse.
Ultimately, the horse went under water and surfaced downstream near the Omak Bridge.
The association continued: “For 77 years the Suicide Race has thrilled fans who have come to watch these jockeys and horses compete.
“And although we have had tragic accidents in the past, the Owners and Jockeys Association has implemented measures to make this race as safe as possible for both horse and rider.
“This race has never been about stardom, money, or glory. Long before it was the World Famous Suicide Race this race was traditionally done as a rite of passage, a demonstration of our young warriors and their horses’ ability to become one.
“We have prided ourselves in our ability to demonstrate our traditions as horse warriors.
“Owners, jockeys and horses train hard year round for this race and when we lose a horse it impacts the entire racing community. We are saddened by the loss of Little Big Man and extend our prayers to the Jerry Ford Racing Family.”
It says the association has determined that the course is safe and that the river is safe to cross.
The 79th running of the race is set for this weekend.
Source
