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'Rough track @ Ellis Thomas Downs killing our horses!’ – Violet ‘Letty’ Hodge

- wants Recreation Trust to ensure track is ploughed often to allow horses to run & exercise without hurting themselves
The surface of the track at Ellis Thomas Downs, Sea Cow's Bay, in a rough state as of today March 30, 2015. Photo: VINO
Horse owner Violet 'Letty' Hodge wants to know how many more horses have to die before the track is properly maintained. Photo: VINO/File
Horse owner Violet 'Letty' Hodge wants to know how many more horses have to die before the track is properly maintained. Photo: VINO/File
When contacted for a comment, President of the Virgin Islands Horse Owners’ Association Karen B. Smith-Aaron said today March 30, 2015 that the Association is not the body responsible for the upkeep of the track. Photo: VINO/File
When contacted for a comment, President of the Virgin Islands Horse Owners’ Association Karen B. Smith-Aaron said today March 30, 2015 that the Association is not the body responsible for the upkeep of the track. Photo: VINO/File
Efforts up to post time to reach Chairman of the BVI Recreation Trust Roy E. Barry proved futile. Photo: VINO/File
Efforts up to post time to reach Chairman of the BVI Recreation Trust Roy E. Barry proved futile. Photo: VINO/File
One of the equipment used to plough the surface of the track. This must be hauled by a tractor. Photo: VINO
One of the equipment used to plough the surface of the track. This must be hauled by a tractor. Photo: VINO
Another view of the track. Photo: VINO
Another view of the track. Photo: VINO
A view of the homestretch at Ellis Thomas Downs. Photo: VINO
A view of the homestretch at Ellis Thomas Downs. Photo: VINO
A close up of the roughness on the surface of the track. Photo: VINO
A close up of the roughness on the surface of the track. Photo: VINO
SEA COW’S BAY, Tortola, VI – A horse owner in the Virgin Islands is complaining bitterly about the state of the track at Ellis Thomas Downs, saying that the condition of the surface is leading to horses being injured.

According to photographs taken by this news site’s roving camera, the surface is in dire need of ‘ploughing’, a process where a tractor pulls a piece of equipment on the surface of the track, tilling the soil and evening it out for the horses to run comfortably on.

In the absence of this process, the horses risk stumbling and hurting themselves and in some cases may have to be put down as a result of the injury.

How many more horses have to die?

Horse owner, Violet ‘Letty’ Hodge, expressed her displeasure on the situation which to her has become unbearable. She recently lost a champion horse – Really Up Town – to a leg injury.

“Government is giving us a track and we are not having the proper equipment to deal with the track. The equipment that had been given to the track is not working properly so we have to depend on Paraquita Bay [Department of Agriculture]. I don’t know how many more horses will get injured and put down because of this situation,” she said, speaking to this news site on Sunday March 29, 2015.

“Certain people telling me don’t call VINO but I said listen let me tell all you something…I gon call VINO because when I call VINO they does put what I have to say out there. It is time that the people to know what it is. Everybody believe that at the racetrack everybody making the world of money,” she said.

According to Hodge, there was an incident at the track on Saturday March 28, 2015 where a person walking a horse got hurt as the horse stumbled while walking and fell on him.

“You have so much horses coming here now…this horse racing thing getting so hot. How much more horses are people going to lose. People here are spending their money buying nice horses and they want to keep them. And you cannot spend to have a racetrack with good horses and you have no place to exercise them. They are taking a chance,” she said.

Hodge said that some persons in an attempt to find short term solutions made makeshift ‘ploughs’ an dragged them along the track to try to even it out.

“But this cannot work because you have to get down to the bottom to get those horse hooves that are already imprinted in the sand,” said Hodge. “Sometimes they would send a water truck to water the sand…how could you water a track when you’re not raking it,” said Hodge.

'It's out of my hands!' - Karen B. Smith-Aaron

When contacted for a comment, President of the Virgin Islands Horse Owners’ Association Karen B. Smith-Aaron said today March 30, 2015 that the Association is not the body responsible for the upkeep of the track.

“All the horse owners know that this is an issue that the Recreation Trust is dealing with. The tractor isn’t working,” she said. Asked whether she wanted to comment on behalf of the Association with regard to the condition of the track she declined.

Efforts up to post time to reach Chairman of the BVI Recreation Trust Roy E. Barry and Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn proved futile.

Horse owners biting the hand that feeds them

Another source who declined to speak on record told our news room that the horse owners might be snapping at the same hand that “feeds them” and that they know that this matter is being dealt with but that a tractor is an expensive piece of equipment to acquire.

“What they have been doing is using Department of Agriculture’s tractor for which they have to pay for each time it goes on the track. It’s the same hand that is paying for this thing that you biting at the same time,” said the source.

28 Responses to “'Rough track @ Ellis Thomas Downs killing our horses!’ – Violet ‘Letty’ Hodge”

  • bay yute (30/03/2015, 16:15) Like (18) Dislike (4) Reply
    Shame on roy barry like the ndp he needs to go
    • smh (31/03/2015, 11:25) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      The only reason to blame Roy Barry is for accepting and keeping a role as Chairman of a statutory body that is not properly funded either by gov or by ticket collections at the facilities that the Recreation Trust is responsible for. Look at the poor conditions of all of our sporting facilities, it is not just the race track.

      Either gov properly finances the upkeep or community residents and other users pay for entrance and usage of the tracks.
  • Racing (30/03/2015, 16:21) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply

    This is why I don't want Government involved in no damn drag racing. They want Government to do ever $%^&& thing. Lobby the Government for para-mutual betting so that you can raise your own funds, otherwise close down the $%^& track! Why should this be a Government problem? Horse Owners need to form a company, demand certain things so that you can raise your own funds. Of course Government can contribute as horse racing is good for economy especially for Summer and Xmas but just to plough the track and Government still to blame? Man you all got no dam shame. Government went as far as giving cash to assist with buying horses now this.

    • Tax Payer (31/03/2015, 08:06) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      Stop wasting tax money on this private and futile venture - put it into our youth, our roads, our hospital and so many more worthwhile entities.

      Let those that spent "their" money on horses spend "their" money on maintaining the facilities.
      • Observer (31/03/2015, 12:46) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
        I totally agree with you. Why can't the horse owners fix the track. It would be to their benefit not the future of our kids.
  • indeed (30/03/2015, 16:37) Like (10) Dislike (8) Reply
    Before ball head be workin on tings like tis he dey fooling the youths again about jobs and dividing the country about sports..
  • Kingfish (30/03/2015, 16:38) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
    The horses would not get hurt if they would stop racing them for the delight of a few hardhearted people.
    • to kingfish (30/03/2015, 22:28) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
      What you don't stay out of what don't concern you? Should not you be booking a pedicure for your cat? When we have a wine and cheese to discuss what new bath wash to buy for your dog we will contact you.

      • @ to kingfish (31/03/2015, 08:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        If government money is being spent on that its everyones business
  • Schupps (30/03/2015, 17:48) Like (5) Dislike (10) Reply
    I guess Lettie ain't hear the government broke. It got more priority items than horse racing to spend money on. Blah, Blah, Blah!
  • Yes (30/03/2015, 18:32) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
    Obviously, Letty has nothing else to keep her busy.
    • @ lol (30/03/2015, 22:09) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      THANK GOD FOR LETTY SHE HAS THE COURAGE TO SPEAK UP FOR THE HORSE OWNERS
  • brathwaite (30/03/2015, 19:27) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why Roy didn't call me like he usually do I will help out
    • @ brathwaite (30/03/2015, 20:17) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      he did and you told him that your guy ws on vacation he he he he
  • kevin (30/03/2015, 20:11) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    the lady letty is speaking the truth the incident happen on the track and the jockey was taken to the hospital annd i think that the horse owned by mr lesmore smith might not run again who talking about biting the hand that feed them the tractor have hands stupid statement
  • What a waste (30/03/2015, 21:07) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    The VIP spent so much money on that track and look how the NDP allowed it to run down?
  • missing (30/03/2015, 22:10) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    the horse owners hsould boycott the races until this is addressed...where is the photo minister?
  • eyes (31/03/2015, 05:57) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    When your boy was building walls and paving roads-- and had the govt check book---He for got the most important thing in the 3rd is the horse track.
    • @ eyes (31/03/2015, 08:17) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply

      Well at least he never thief any of the money unlike others so go talk that you crooks who should be in jail! The NDP treat the dead, animals and all of we like pi$$ they care nothing about us only about themselves sad sad sad. Not even a little track they can up keep. Where are Roy Barry and Myron Walwyn?? Seeing how they can get OJ in office which will never happen

  • insider (31/03/2015, 06:19) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Rubbish. The horse owners give absolutely nothing back to the upkeep of the track, yet expect to me given a free ride. They pay no fees to keep their horses on site. Let them contribute to the upkeep of the track. The only ones who have use of the track is the horse owners, not the public at large. So tell me why should the government or it's statutory body be fully responsible for it. Where does the gate receipts go on race day? Should'nt a portion of it be put back into the running of the said facility. Stop raping the treasury horse owners. Put your hand in your pockets.
    • @ insider (31/03/2015, 08:13) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply

      This is such a backward argument. Without the horses how will there be races. The guys must spend thousands of dollars monthly feeling there horses and paying helpers? Does the government give a dime for that? You all are just a set of oppressors the NDP and Myron is a total waste of time...they have done nothing for the lil place in four yes my fingers wet and waiting for them son of ah b*t*h*s to come to my house

      • Kingfish (31/03/2015, 11:05) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        @ Insider: your reply to "insider" shows the kind of people that populate the BVI, always with their hands out looking for the government to give them this and that. Horseracing is a terrible sport that not too many people enjoy, those who wish to enjoy it should pay for that enjoyment and not the government. If the horse owners cannot afford to purchase feed and pay for the helpers, they should not own horses, do not expect my tax dollars to support your "terrible sport".
  • horse owners (31/03/2015, 08:30) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thank u letty for speaking up for we
  • qc (31/03/2015, 11:10) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    karen is a coward she aftriad mvw
  • Last Post (31/03/2015, 11:15) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    There it is again, that sense of entitlement. Why should the Government pay the upkeep to keep a minority sport in existence. If horse racers can afford top dollar rides and bringing horses from the USVI, then they can afford to pay a fair share towards the track upkeep. If the track needs money, then the Government needs to find a way to get revenue from race goers and owners, not everyone else.
  • V.I. (31/03/2015, 14:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Horse raceing and gambling go hand in hand and the officials that where in charge of of building the track know dam well that's how it goes. If they had put everything in place , the govt would of been laughing all the way to the bank. You can't get blood out of stone. But the smart ass them spend millions to biuild a track and leave it to fend for them self.horse men won't mind paying for their horse to stay there ,if the track running like it should. Paramutual, simulcasting has to be in place to see what a racetrack is all about! Wake the hell up and get with 2015 !!!!!!!!!!
  • 911 (31/03/2015, 19:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    th track has become such a hot button topic?
  • .......... (03/04/2015, 19:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Hope the vip get rid of r** he just there to carry news to funny man



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