I’m just back from five days in Norway and it wasn’t easy to come back. Sure, the big show in Norwegian racing---the Oslo Grand Prix----is over, having been held on Sunday. But the big show in Norway---that nation’s “national day” on May 17---is coming up.
I’ve been there for the Norwegian celebrations on May 17 in the past and what a great show it is. Basically, the country shuts down that day and celebrates the Norway’s independence. I’ve seen it once and I’d love to be back there for it again.
The Oslo Grand Prix had a blanket finish with Russel November of Holland coming from last to first with an impressive spurt in the homestretch. The 6-year-old now moves into contention as one of the favorites for the Elitlopp in Sweden later this month.
Buck I St Pat and Enough Talk are going for the Elitlopp, but it’s s shame that we couldn’t find any trotters to represent North America in Norway. Win, lose or draw, just being in a race like the Oslo Grand Prix is a great honor. No matter where you finish, you’ll always cherish the experience because you’re treated like royalty by the Norwegians.
But the rules are different in European racing and that intimidates some trainers from taking horses to race there. Lasix is not allowed and trotting hobbles are also banned. Steroid use is regarded as criminal. Then in Norway you have the extra consideration that whips are not permitted in racing.
Harness racing will soon bid adieu to one-handed whipping, but I think we’re a long way from joining Norway in banning whips entirely. During the debate on whipping that was resolved with a rule to prohibit one-handed whipping, a horseman asked, “How will a horse know when to go if a driver doesn’t have a whip to urge him?”
That person might have changed his tune if he had seen the Oslo Grand Prix because the homestretch looked like The Charge of the Light Brigade. These drivers know how to hand-drive a horse and to urge them on. Certainly Russel November didn’t need a whip to make him reach full speed.