We went to the trots today
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381760)
Rockingham, Australia
March 8, 2020 8:19am CST
We went to the trots today in Collie, Western Australia. This is when it gets confusing. The ‘trots’ refers to horses racing each other and pulling lightweight carts (called spiders). (I know there’s another meaning but we won’t go into that here.)
However, the horses aren’t actually trotting but pacing. When horses trot, they spring from one pair of diagonals to the other to right foreleg and left hind leg hit the ground together followed by the left foreleg and right hind leg. When they pace, the right fore- and hind legs hit the ground together followed by the left fore- and hind legs. For some reason, although the horses pace, these events are called ‘trots’.
There were seven races with about seven or eight horses in each. We sat under some shade and Vince trotted back and forth – pardon the pun – putting on our bets.
It was an enjoyable afternoon. Being pensioners, we were given free entry, a racebook was $2, food and drinks were reasonably priced. In addition, you were automatically in the chocolate wheel draw for small prizes drawn throughout the afternoon.
We didn’t win a fortune but it cost less than going out for a meal. I took twenty photos but kept only six and they were for my own pleasure. The best one I’ve put up here. I either got a horse’s head or a horse’s tail and in the end I gave up and just enjoyed the racing.
14 people like this
15 responses
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
8 Mar 20
Thats a good shot. When I see the trots I think of running to the bathroom a lot here. 
3 people like this
@noni1959 (13009)
• United States
9 Mar 20
@JudyEv My youngest did barrel racing, pole bending, Western and some Dressage. We mostly showed quarter horses and we just started doing them again. A couple months ago we did trail, halter and western. My grandson one first place in his. Dad led him of course since he's only two but he's taking to it quickly.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Mar 20
Before I was married, I rode in shows then much later had harness ponies but didn't show them. We did combined driving events. Now we take photos at endurance rides although we're also doing a breed show this Saturday. Did you show a particular breed or have a particular discipline?
1 person likes this
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
8 Mar 20
There are no similar races in my region. I would definitely like to see one in real life.
2 people like this
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
9 Mar 20
@JudyEv Equitation only, as far as I know. But I am Hungarian, and the Hungarian nation is known for the attachment we have for horses.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Mar 20
@rappeter13 That's true. The Hungarians are marvellous horsemen.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Mar 20
We call it "harness racing" here, but I think the practice was banned a few years ago. Or maybe they just stopped doing it because it was not popular anymore. Either way, I don't think there is any of that type of racing still being offered here in the US.
It looks like it was a beautiful day for you to be outside, so I hope you really enjoyed yourself and had a great time!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Mar 20
@JudyEv I remember when it was huge here in the US. It's crazy how quickly times can change.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Mar 20
@moffittjc There is still harness racing there but I couldn't find many statistics on it.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
8 Mar 20
great picture.
in parts of the US, the trots generally refer to a frequent bathroom visit issue!
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
9 Mar 20
@JudyEv one heads to the house with the 1/2 moon in the US when you have the trots. So heading to the trots, not so good!
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208746)
• United States
8 Mar 20
I used to like to go to the races when I lived near them, all the tracks from here are pretty far though. They have trotters here too, but they call it harness racing.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Mar 20
It's harness racing here too but the commonly terms used is 'the trots'.
@Juliaacv (56195)
• Canada
8 Mar 20
My Gramma used to like to watch the horse races, and when I was a young child she would take me to a summer fair every year just so that we could go and watch the horses. It never held my attention for long, but I was just a child, and I haven't been since.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Mar 20
That's the 'common' meaning, isn't it? It is here too.
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
8 Mar 20
They call it harness racing here.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
8 Mar 20
That's a good picture. I'm glad you had fun.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
14 Mar 20
I have a racetrack close by (25minutes) which runs trotters (and pacers too). The actual term they use here is harness racing. But it is popular racing lingo to also say where going to go bet on the trotters. Boy, you can't beat that price for a fun afternoon!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Mar 20
@dgobucks226 Manoeuvring the spiders is a bit harder I think and easier to box in a trotter/pacer than a thoroughbred.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
15 Mar 20
@JudyEv I have been a few times yes. Enjoyable but hard to handicap for me. I do better with the Thoroughbreds.
1 person likes this
