Vieux Fort Celebrates Emancipation Day

2k15 with Horse Racing Meet

In celebration of Emancipation Day, the Southern Equestrian Association (SEA) along with the Southern
Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) will be hosting a horse race meet, coined Emancipation Day
Classics, starting at 1PM on August 1, 2015 at the Kaka Bef Grounds in Beanefield, Vieux Fort.
Emancipation Day Classics 2k15 will feature nine races broken down into three categories including halfbreed, creole, and creole rumble races. Creole horses are those born in the Caribbean with no identifiable
foreign blood, while half breed horses are a mixed of creole and thoroughbred horses.
First, second and third place winners of each race will receive cash prizes, with the half breed races taking
in a total of $9,000.00, the creole races $6,300.00 and the creole rumble races $5,400.00, bringing total
event cash winnings to $20,700.00.
The thoroughbred was developed in 17th- and 18th-century England, when native mares were crossbred
with imported Oriental stallions of Arabian, Barb, and Turkoman breeding. They are considered hotblooded and are well known for their agility, speed and spirit.
It isnt clear how or when the tradition of horse racing took hold in Vieux Fort, but obviously the districts
wide-open, grassy plains, reminiscent of the American West, lends itself to horse husbandry, and horse
racing and other equestrian activities. Interestingly, in most other parts of the world it is the well to do
that own and race horses, but in St. Lucia, and Vieux Fort in particular, many of the horses and stables are
owned by persons of modest means, and by some of our most economically disadvantaged citizens.

Mr. Julius James, Interim Executive Director of STDC, said that since horse husbandry and activities are
largely undertaken by persons of modest means, the industry can be seen as an opportunity to provide
livelihoods for those in greatest need.
Mr. Vincent Clarke, a Board Director of STDC and operator of Savanne Stables, explains that besides racing,
horse owners in Vieux Fort and other parts of St. Lucia generate income by providing horseback riding
tours, and horse rides to children particularly as part of the entertainment at festivities. However, there
is room for even greater scope. Stables can put on show jumping and the public can be encouraged to
visit stables and enjoy horseback riding on a regular basis. Such outside recreation and interaction with
animals can have a benefiting impact on children, instilling in them a greater appreciation of farm animals,
nature, and the outdoors. Moreover, the horse racing side of the business can be taken up a notch and
conducted more frequently by the establishment of dedicated race tracks equipped with covered stands,
and betting booths. It is probably for these reasons that the Prime Minister, Dr. Kenny Anthony, has been
an enthusiastic supporter and sponsor of horse racing in Vieux Fort. Emancipation Day Classics 2K15
proving no exception.
However, according to Mr. Wilbur Moffat, Chairperson of the Horse Racing Committee, in recent years
the SEA hasnt been operating at full mast, but the organization sees Emancipation Day Classics 2k15 as
ushering a new era in its history. Soon after the meet it is planning to hold an AGM to elect a new Board
with the hope of strengthening the organization and fostering a spirit of transparency, accountability, and
shared responsibility. It is aiming to stage more frequent and better structured meets and establishing an
annual calendar of racing events.
Also on the Mr. Moffats mind and the SEAs agenda is the establishment of a permanent, modern race
track at Beanefield, in the vicinity of the old sugar mill. Draft designs have already been drawn for the race
track. The hope is that the race track and racing events will meet international standards, provide larger
prize purses, pull larger numbers of spectators, incorporate betting, promote better animal care,
professionalize the jockey trade, and draw more competitors locally and regionally.
The President of the Board of STDC, Dr. Anderson Reynolds, said that STDC was happy to come onboard
with the SEA to help strengthen the organization and elevate the standard (and increase the frequency)
of its meets. STDCs involvement with the SEA and other event promoters and organizers is part of an
effort to develop a calendar of sporting, cultural and entertainment events to compliment Vieux Forts
natural, historical and cultural attractions as visitor pull factors. In the same vein, Dr. Reynolds said that
STDC is championing and advocating for the establishment of a number of social and economic assets in
Vieux Fort, including dedicated horse racing and drag car racing tracks, a well-equipped and themed
recreation park, as well as a marina.
Recently the SEA and Vieux Fort horsemen have been the beneficiary of other help. A group of concerned
residents have established a Vieux Fort Horseman Fund to foster better horse handling and animal health
care among Vieux Fort horsemen. So far the Fund has provided medical treatment to strayed and injured
horses, and has held workshops on horse shoeing, handling, and animal health. The Fund is also
advocating for a tick eradication program and is seeking internships for horsemen to work on US stud
farms six months at a time.
According to the SEA, with Emancipation Day Classics 2k15, spectators can expect a horse race meet of a
high standard and with a difference. It will be accompanied with an entertainment package, jockeys will
be properly attired, and races will be staged on time and completed well before dark. Emancipation Day
Classics 2k15 is free and open to the public.
The event has been sponsored by the Prime Minister and Vieux Fort South District Rep, the Ministry of
Sports, the Minister of Agriculture and Vieux Fort North District Rep, Atlantic Shores Riding Stables, the
Reef Beach Cafe, True Value, Saint Lu Metals, Paradise Springs, Dylan Harrow, The St. Lucia National Trust,
Uptown Liquor, and Jako Productions.