| Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has been | | | | types of events are often of the same class, gender, |
| popular throughout the centuries. Horse racing is one of | | | | and age. |
| the most attended and most enjoyed sports events in | | | | Quarter-Horse Racing: This type of event involves the |
| the world. Many people do not realize that there are | | | | racing of horses at great speed for short distances on |
| different types of horse racing. The following is a list of | | | | a straight course. It got its name quarter-horse |
| some of the various forms of horse racing that are | | | | because the race originally ran a quarter of a mile. It is |
| currently practiced throughout the world: | | | | a much newer sport because its governing body was |
| Harness Horse Racing: This type of horse racing is | | | | not formed until the 1940s. The classic distance of a |
| popular in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and North | | | | Quarter Horse race is 440 yards (400 m), but races |
| America. It involves the horses pulling the jockey on a | | | | are run anywhere between 100 and 1,000 yards (91 |
| two-wheeled cart. This form of horse racing requires | | | | and 910 m). Quarter Horses are faster than |
| strategy as much as speed. There are two types of | | | | Thoroughbreds, but run shorter distances. American |
| this form of horse racing which is based on the gait | | | | Quarter Horses are shorter and more muscular than |
| used: Pacing consists of horses running faster with | | | | Thoroughbreds. |
| shorter breaks during a race. When a horse starts to | | | | Stakes Races: This type of race involves the best |
| gallop, it must be slowed until it can regain the gait. In | | | | horses. These events have the highest purses Races |
| Trotting, horses move their legs diagonally, meaning | | | | run from small purses of a few thousand dollars to the |
| that the right front leg and the left hind leg hit the | | | | Breeders' Cup Classic for $5 million. There are three |
| ground at the same time. | | | | grades controlled by the Graded Stakes Committee, |
| The Standardbred is recognized worldwide for its | | | | insuring a Grade 1, 2, or 3 race event. Most midsize or |
| harness racing ability. Standardbreds are best known | | | | larger tracks will have at least one grade 3 race while |
| for their ability to harness race at a trot or pace form. | | | | larger tracks such as Churchill Downs or Belmont Park |
| They are solid, well-built horses with good dispositions. | | | | will have several of all grades. |
| Standardbreds are relatively intelligent animals. | | | | Major horse racetracks in the US include Saratoga |
| Thoroughbred Racing: Thoroughbred horse racing is a | | | | Springs, New York, Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, |
| worldwide event that involves the racing of | | | | Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky, Belmont Park in |
| thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different | | | | Elmont, New York (outside New York City on Long |
| national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: flat | | | | Island,) and Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, |
| racing and jump racing. Jump racing can be further | | | | Kentucky. The latest major horse track opened in the |
| divided into hurdling and steeple chasing. Horses | | | | US was the Meadowlands Racetrack opened in 1977 |
| competing in this form of racing are faster than those | | | | for thoroughbred racing. It is the home of the |
| in other equestrian events. It is a popular sport with | | | | Meadowlands Cup |
| gamblers. The distances of the race can vary from 3 | | | | Being one of the oldest racing sports, horse racing |
| 4 mile to more than two miles. Speed is a major factor | | | | fever has spread throughout the world. It is a thrilling |
| with thoroughbred racing. It involves high-quality horses | | | | event for horse racing fans of all ages. |
| and prestigious prizes. Horses competing in these | | | | |