Hurunui Race Day and Gala

10 February 2018


Ruben was approached at the clinic by organizers of the Hurunui Race Day and Gala asking if he would be onsite as the official doctor (along with a St John' ambulance team and a vet team). We are so glad we went! We might not have gone to the races or even known that they were happening if we hadn't had a reason to attend.

A cyclone was swirling in the South Pacific this week and the weather forecast was touch-and-go for Saturday. It was sketchy in the am (we were to arrive at 10 am) and by 4:30 pm there were some serious rainclouds forming, but the middle of the day was warm and the cloud cover was welcome.

The race day consisted of 8 horse races, four of which were harness races. There were also two straight-up speed races, and two lovely races like my favorite, the Rescue Race, where riders started in pairs at the start line, rode halfway around the track, one rider jumped off his horse and onto the other rider's horse, and the two of them rode double back to the finish line. Fun!

Betting on the races was a new system for me. For each race, one could place $2 bets. Horses were assigned first come-first served. For example, the first person in line's first bet is assigned Horse A. If that person places $6 in bets, he is assigned Horse B and Horse C as well. The next person in line is assigned Horse D. If there are 4 horses in the race, the next person in line gets Horse A again. It worked really well. R and I bet $2 on every race and lost every race.

Loved the boots on these guys!

Kids carts with miniature horses. No betting on kids races,
 which makes it even more adorable.

Bugle player announcing each race.

Ruben in his official Hurunui Race Day and Gala hat.

Ruben going on official business. No doctoring required:  He drew the raffle winners!

Kids were flying kites near the car park.

People had some serious race-day setups (and booze).

Heavy Horse event. Loved seeing this draft horses run. Gorgeous.

Fashion on the Field was a competition of men and women in their race-day finest.

There were also events like sack races for kids. And tug-of-war for kids and adults.