I have NEVER EVER, in any of my posts (go back and read them carefully) defended nor denied the alleged cruelty or deaths connected with horse sports. If you stop your hysterical rant for one moment and read what I have previously posted you will see that I have openly criticised flat racing along with other sports. I have criticised Franki Dettori myself.

My point, and I'll repeat it again, is the fact that we, as competitors and horse owners, have to adhere to rules and regulations and standards layed down by the governing body of that sport, the British Horse Society, the breed societys and British Riding Club Rules, and equine welfare organisations. Those standards may not be perfect, and are being improved upon year by year. At least thats a start. Yet we are the people YOU seek to criticise.

The people who participate in the events taking place at Appleby and Stow do not, they have no govening body. They are a law unto themselves, and god help anyone who tries to intervene. I have attended horsefairs with Horsewatch and neither we the RSPCA or our vet were particularly welcome. The horses at Appleby have no-one to watch out for them.

They will not even agree to 'police' themselves, if they did they would have caught the person's responsible for the deaths of both horses - yes there were two not one. The other horse that collapsed and died was just abandoned on the roadside.

Racing and eventing is open to the public, everyone can see what goes on, that makes those industries the 'easy target'. The fact is that at Appleby they do not want 'outsiders' seeing what goes on at these fairs - What are they hiding??

I have attended horsefairs, markets, auction sales and abatiors as well as competing. I have seen where the welfare of horses is the issue and have a far wider view of crualty in the horse world - I have never denied that it exists and certainly take exception to your implying that I do.

How may events, shows, races, markets etc etc have you attended? (and I would like an answer to that please). Where do you get your knowledge and experience.