OCR Text |
Show I T I January 25, 1989 Basin Standard dJJintah A E)(UUS1L1HL - Page 9 lLfllif(S modern day version of Ben Hur Chariot racing still fuh and popular in Roosevelt . Today in Roosevelt, the chariot is used by a variety of people for the sheer pleasure of racing. By L.A. Eaton Ben Hur would of liked to live in Roosevelt, Well, maybe He wouldnt have to compete against the cruel, vicious enemies Wallace wrote about, but he could go up against some good chariot racers at Petroleum Downs. Its about like snowmobil-ing,- " said Howard Jenkins of Double J Ranch. Its something Am to do during the winter to keep you from going crary. Jenkins and his brother Guy each race a team every Saturday. Howard races his in the colt division while Gary brings y in his team for the mature . The colta run a d race d and the older horses a run. "There use to be about 40 cate-goi- 850-yar- 440-yar- away," said Gary. "If its straight out of the gate, youll do alright. No one ties their reins around their waists anymore, and the competition seems friendly, but intense. A photographer at the finish line records the finish and the results are used to dedde which teams will race each other in the next meet. The club has a couple more weeks of racing. Then some may go on to state and world competition. "We use quarterhorses that Have been in training since the middle of August, said Howard. "After chariot racing they usually go on to flat saddle. For now, the horses will be pullingchariots as fast as they can during the winter activities of Petroleum Downs in Roosevelt ! " .. , ; r .fvt K.C r-; V, ? ' . The chariot races are held at Petroleum Downs in Roosevelt, every Saturday at 1 p.m. teams back in the days of the oil said Gary. Now theres about 14. Although the crowds aren't large, plenty of people still eryoy the sport and are members of the Uintah Cutter Association. Each team puts in $100 at the beginning of the season for winners at boom, These are some of the tools of chariot racing. Back in ancient times the ' cart was used by warriors and kings. The diariot was a platform with an open back iprith just enough room for one or two passengers. In war times, the driver stood up with the reins lied around his waist, leaving his hands free to fight with spears or bow and arrows. Ben Huts enemy waa one of many who used acythelike blades on the axles ofthe chariot wheels, enabling him .to. destroy Jth competition. two-wheele- d, horse-draw- n the end. "You make a little money if you win all season, said Gary. "But if you dont its still fun. Each Saturday in the winter, pick-u- p trucks and trailers pull in to begin the preparation. Each horse is fitted with straps that will connect with the diariot and driver. The hardest part may be waiting around to be called on over the intercom. After a few laps in the warmup circle, two teams head with two horses each head down to the starting gate. The horses are calmed down inside the gate, before the signal to take off is given. "Its got to be a controlled run The crowds atthe duuiot races have thinned since the oil boom. i horse of Howard Jenkins of Bluebell is set to warm up THE ANTICIPATION OF A RACE-T- his on the track. Quarterhorses are used in chariot racing and most go on to fiat saddle. Photo by L.A. Eaton. OUT OF THE GATES-T- he The racers try to start with HOLD HIM DOWN-Volunthelp to calm this horse down before a chariot race. The races are held on Saturdays at Petroleum Downs. diariot races were off to a good start, Saturday at Petroleum Downs. dean, straight get-awa- eers HORSE AND BUGGY -- Part of the work of chariot racing indudes setting up the horses with the diariot Then it's time to warm the team up. |