Off-track betting posting declines as horse fans age The expansion of entertainment options is another factor shrinking the lines at Maine's four betting parlors. In 1993, the law was amended, allowing restaurants to operate off-track betting parlors after receiving licenses from the Maine Harness Racing Commission. The total handle, the amount wagered, in Maine's four off-track betting establishments last year was close to $25 million, and another $25. The Triple Crown of thoroughbred...

They also have him ride on the horse backwards, sideways and even on all fours to help with his muscle tone, Dennis said. During a hippotherapy session, the horse is a therapeutic tool. Hippotherapy comes from the Greek word "hippos," which means horse. Some patients can walk and others can't, but this helps everyone learn how to use their muscles for walking, Freeman said. When he gets put on a horse, they work on his motor skills and all his muscles. There is a lot of activity involved...

Additionally, the horse show has added some English and Jack Benny classes to accommodate expressed interest in those areas. Ranch horse entries are due as soon as possible to ensure there are enough cattle available, said Kinkelaar. Comments will be approved within 48 hours. Friday, July 20, will be the Ranch Horse day with six events scheduled as well as a youth fence work class. Saturday is reserved for English and Western classes, as well as speed events in the afternoon. The...

The top seven money winning drivers from North America, the leading money-winner at Tioga Downs and one sponsor's exemption will participate in a drivers' challenge that will span six to eight races on the Sunday afternoon card of July 29. There will be nine horses in each race and drivers will earn points based on order of finish. Drivers will be randomly assigned to horses. The instruction focuses on how to read the program and wagering. in front of the stage at Tioga Downs. Copyright...

Although Olson s father owned a riding stable in Wisconsin and she grew up around horses, it wasn t until she was an adult on her 40th birthday to be exact that she purchased a horse for herself and her family. Olson knows this and three weeks ago as she and her horse sped toward the three 55-gallon barrels set up in the clover-shape pattern typical of a barrel race, what was running through her mind was, Kick hard. Sitting in a chair by a giant window overlooking the horse pastures that...

Marion, who also competes in womens roping, has been raising quarter-horses and paints for the past six years and has been showing horses for over 20 years. Her suggestion for anyone starting out in the horse ring is to find a breeder or trainer with good horse sense and a horse thats good and gentle. One thing you probably would not expect to see at a horse show is a mule, but there she was. She said in training a horse to saddle, its best to take a lot of time and patience, and lunge the...