Cooperation from horse owners is a real issue- Lesmore Smith
Speaking exclusively to Virgin Islands News Online, Mr. Smith said the problem even existed when Mrs. Hodge was the President of the Association and that she herself had admitted to it then.
Hodge had told this news site that Mr. Smith was totally out of order when he made statements recently on a radio talk show programme “Sports Talk” on September 15, 2012. “I was totally appalled at his comments and the statements he made recently,” she said.
Mr. Smith had expressed as a caller on the programme, that there was a lack of cooperation from the horse owners in the Virgin Islands (VI) and it was affecting horse racing. He also told radio listeners that horse owners do not pay for water or electricity at the race track and when the horse owners wins a race they do not give any of their purse money back to government.
However, Ms. Hodge the co-owner of the popular L & B Stables said “Being the President of the Horse Owners' Association, he was supposed to be elected. No one was elected for that position. He came in as [part of] a coup,” she said, adding that “they waltzed in and took over.” Hodge also remarked that, “Mr. Smith is not doing anything for the horse owners.” She also felt that the Association is there to represent horse owners and it was something they were not doing.
Responding to the scathing criticisms, Mr. Smith said when he said he was not getting cooperation from horse owners he did not single out anyone, especially Mrs. Hodge as he and everyone is aware that the L&B Stables is always actively involved in horse racing in the VI. “If she knew that she was cooperating then she didn’t need to bother with what I said. Those words were meant for others and in a good way.”
He also expressed disappointment and hurt that certain comments were made about him in the media and that even his children were being affected by them. “I think there are better ways of dealing with our problems”, Smith remarked.
The President said all he cares about is the development of horse racing in the Virgin Islands and has no personal agenda with anyone. “I love everyone and would not do anything to hurt them and even after what was said I still love everyone.”
Mrs. Hodge had also said she hoped to secure a meeting with the Premier and Minister for Sports, to explain the truth to them about what was really going on in the Association. She expressed that urgent support from the government is critical to running the track effectively.
“You cannot have fans, if you don’t have horses,” Hodge complained after expressing that the President might be obsessed with fans of the sport, but seemed to be looking at the wrong issues for the Association.
Mr. Smith said it is not that he does not care for horse owners but he has tried to promote the sport to increase the fan base so that horse owners would benefit as a result. “We don’t have promoters like we have in the United States and other countries so we have to find the purses for our races here and unless we attract fans we cannot put up proper purses.”
Meanwhile, Virgin Islands News Online was told that a meeting with horse owners is planned for 5pm today at Ellis Thomas Downs. The objective is reportedly to chart the way forward for the sport.
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17 Responses to “Cooperation from horse owners is a real issue- Lesmore Smith”
Lessmore my advice to you is to change your attitude and ideology of what what you portrays horse racing on BVI should be and take into serious consideration it's core. The core the foundation to which have made horse racing there successful in the pass and build on that. Lessmore since being President of the Tortola Horsemen Association have ailienated horse owners not only in Tortola but also in the USVI. St Thomas horsemen have always supported horse races in Tortola by traveling there. I was told for the races scheduled for September 30th, 2012 Lessmore's Association was footing the round trip bill for the horses traveling from St Croix. I am all in support and campaign for inter-islands racing but St Croix have not until the Virgin Islands Triple Crown earlier this year made any credible attempt to bring their horses to Tortola in support for BVI horse racing. St Thomas have always been in support of traveling and have yet been offered help in traveling expenses.... Lessmore if you want horse races to be productive or successful in the BVI set asside your personal gain from it and replace it with what's the best interest for BVI horse races..
All problems like adults.