Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 23 · column 5 of 6 · from the scan, no model involved
just illegal, in Virginia. Then, after a 200-year history of “informal” racing and betting, Virginia in 1997 opened its first legalized pari-mutual racing at Colonial Downs, near Williamsburg, with the largest turf course in America.
Virginia has become, over the centuries, the equestrian cradle of America. a
The human side
In its first centuries, most horses were a mainstay of the working and fighting life. Modern technology has made the horse in Virginia largely a pleasure animal and a billion dollar industry. The Virginia horse has been carried on and is led today by a special breed of sporting people:
The owner breeds or purchases young horses to campaign in equestrian sports. They form the risk-taking backbone of the sport. The only reward an owner can safely look forward to is the pride and pleasure of producing a winner on the flat, a first between the flags in steeplechasing, a ribbon, piece of silver or small cash reward from the show ring, eventing, or roping. The foxhunter popularized the hunting chase began here even before George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Lord Fairfax, settling in Virginia in 1746, was the first Master of Hounds in America and the first man of record to keep a regular establishment for hunting. Those who ride to
See HOR?P Pane 29
89.8%