A little more than two years after a devastating fire Goshen Historic Track has added a new page to its history. Considered among the world’s oldest active harness racing tracks, the Orange County facility recently hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate a newly constructed barn and horse stalls on the site of the old BOCES Barn that was partially destroyed by the fire on August 23, 2017. [Read more…] about New Barn in Goshen Preserves Horse Racing Tradition
Horses
Once Common Horse Blocks Weren’t Just for Horses and Carriages
The most popular genre by far on nighttime television through the 1960s? Westerns. While children were allowed to watch some of them, several shows specifically geared towards the younger set were shown on Saturday morning. Watching heroes — Roy Rogers, the Lone Ranger, and Zorro, three of the best — escape tense situations and catch bad guys was unforgettable.
Among the skills of any cowboy star (or stuntman stand-in) worth his salt were the hurried mounting and high-speed dismounting of horses (usually their own faithful steed, of course). It’s an impressive feat when you consider that horses are pretty high off the ground — which brings us to our main subject: how to get down off a horse. [Read more…] about Once Common Horse Blocks Weren’t Just for Horses and Carriages
Kentucky Derby Day at Goshen Historic Track May 4th
The Goshen Historic Track has announced the Fifth Annual Kentucky Derby Day has been set for Saturday, May 4th, from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.
Visitors can watch the Kentucky Derby races simulcast on several large screen TVs while enjoying the rest of the day’s festivities that also feature a family-style BBQ food, beer, wine and soda. OTB will be available. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and more. [Read more…] about Kentucky Derby Day at Goshen Historic Track May 4th
Groundbreaking at Goshen Historic Track
There will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction of the BOCES barn at one of Orange County, New York’s most distinctive landmarks, Goshen Historic Track, which opened in 1838.
Partially destroyed by a fire in 2017, the world’s oldest operating harness racing track is rebuilding to preserve a uniquely American tradition and continue serving as a community greenspace. The BOCES barn, so named because it was an extension of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services, functioned as a training center focusing on equestrian care and farm management. The Track’s historic blacksmith and farrier shop was also lost in the fire.
Equestrian Heritage on Long Island
If you wanted to hunt foxes, play polo, or just train horses around New York in the late 1800s, Long Island was the place to go. On the latest episode of The Long Island History Project, we explore this equestrian heritage with our guest Katie Robbins. Our subject is Katie’s ancestor Clarence H. Robbins, consumate cross country rider, horse trainer, and master of the hounds. He ran with Belmonts and Vanderbilts while avoiding the limelight himself although later generations would come to know his son, noted fantasy author Tod Robbins. [Read more…] about Equestrian Heritage on Long Island
Goshen Historic Track Seeks Help to Preserve Tradition
The Goshen Historic Track has announced they are seeking community support to preserve a tradition that began 181 years ago.
On August 23, 2017, a fire completely destroyed the quaint blacksmith shop, the historic BOCES Barn and the shedrow barn connecting them. Fortunately, all horses were rescued and there was no loss of life. However, the Track is now facing the upcoming racing season. “The Cradle of the Trotter,” as the Goshen Historic Track is called, is a Registered Historic Landmark and the oldest active harness racing track in the world. It must rebuild quickly or lose a matching grant of $100,000. [Read more…] about Goshen Historic Track Seeks Help to Preserve Tradition
National Museum of Horse Racing (Historians Podcast)
This week on The Historians podcast, communications officer Brien Bouyea discusses the National Museum of (Horse) Racing and Hall of Fame on Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs, NY. A famous voice from the museum’s phone answering machine introduces this episode. [Read more…] about National Museum of Horse Racing (Historians Podcast)
Horse Racing Museum Seeks Photo Exhibit Submissions
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame has announced they will unveil a juried photography exhibition in 2019 called Photo Finish, and are now accepting submissions of photography work by both amateur and professional photographers in relation to thoroughbred racing in America. [Read more…] about Horse Racing Museum Seeks Photo Exhibit Submissions
Farewell To The Horse: A Cultural History
Ulrich Raulff’s new book Farewell To The Horse: A Cultural History (Liveright, 2018) takes a deeply academic look at the ancient and complex relationship between horses and humans.
Once man’s most indispensable companions, horses were for millennia essential in helping to build cities, farms, and industries. But during the 20th century, in an increasingly mechanized society, they began to disappear from human history. [Read more…] about Farewell To The Horse: A Cultural History
Racing Museum’s ‘Foal Patrol’ Tracks Birthing Mares
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga has launched Foal Patrol, a fan-based interactive web program that tracks the lives and daily routines of several in-foal mares during their pregnancy through the birthing process.
The project includes an interactive website and several contests for racing fans and horse lovers. The site can also be reached through the Museum’s website. [Read more…] about Racing Museum’s ‘Foal Patrol’ Tracks Birthing Mares