The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat will be explored this Sunday when CBS' 60 MINUTES explores the unknown world of timber racing. If you are a horse lover, a racing fan, you might want to tune in. Tune in at 7 pm EDT for sure.
America’s Timber Races – so named for the wooden fences horses and riders
must jump – are up to four miles long and contain as many as 22
jumps. The sport originated in Ireland 250 years ago when horses were raced
across the countryside jumping hedge rows. Today, a series of run-up races in
the Mid-Atlantic States culminates in the Maryland Hunt Cup event that will be
held Saturday April 29.
Paddy Neilson has won the
prestigious race three times; he comes from a family that’s been riding and
racing since 1875. At 75, he’s considered the dean of Timber
Racing. He still rides for pleasure and wears the scars of old injuries
that any timber jockey will tell you come with the turf. Some
of the injuries are serious, but it’s all worth it says Neilson.
“There’s just some magic about the power of that animal underneath of you,” he
tells Rose. “And then when you ask him for everything he’s got the last
quarter a mile…and there it is, it is a marvelous feeling that only comes from
doing it, really. It is great.”
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