Never let it be said that there’s nothing fun to do in the outback.
A couple of weeks ago we attended the 35th running of the Camel Cup at Australia’s only dedicated camel racing track. Can you top that? Didn’t think so! The only thing missing from this alcohol soaked family event was betting and no one seemed to know why there wasn’t gambling included at this charity event. Considering that there were two bar tents and VIP tent with free booze and numerous corporate hospitality tents and that the local escort service sponsored a camel I can’t see where organized gambling would be inappropriate. The guess is that either betting for charity isn’t allowed or handicapping the camels is just to darned hard.
About 6 to 8 camels compete in each of the days several races. Typically camels ran in every other race, to give them a break. Each jockey only rode in one event of the day. Maybe that was because the jockey had a choice and the camels didn’t??
However you shouldn’t start feeling sorry for the camels. They can take care of themselves. If a camel decides not to race, there’s nothing on earth that’s gonna force that big bugger to run. I am transfixed by camels but have a very healthy respect for them. They are mighty big critters, have BIG NASTY teeth and can spit up to 4 yards. People rarely win an argument with a camel.
On race day I found out that an email had be circulated at Dave’s work place asking for volunteer camel handles and jockeys for the race. My adoring husband neglected to mention that spouses were welcome to volunteer. When ask why he had denied me such an amazing opportunity, he indicated that his internal hard wired injury warning alarm had gone off when he read the email. He talks about his injury warning system a lot, especially when I have a “really cool idea”. Maybe it’s something only cities kids have. All I know is that he and his siblings couldn’t have had as much fun as us farm kids; not a single one of them had a broken bone, concussion, stitches, black eye or even a trip to the emergency room. Poor underprivileged children, I have no idea what they did for fun.
Oh- Well, back to the camel races.
The race starts by the camels and riders being led out onto the race track to the starting line and made to lie down. This process sometimes takes almost as long as the race itself, but it makes for an entertaining spectacle. When the bell goes off the camels are supposed to leap to their feet and run around the track.
Some camels do, some do with a little added persuasion, other needed even more persuasion and a couple of camel throughout the day simply refused to race.
In case you’re wondering, a camels gait makes a cylsdale look like a ballet dancer.
The jockey’s job to stay on. One rider failed this year and ended up with a broken leg and a couple of cracked ribs.
In addition to the camel races there were plenty of other fun activities at the Camel Cup. There were kids stick camel races (much like stick horses but the stick is MUCH longer).
Team rickshaw races and even belly dancers were entertaining the 3000 people in attendance.
Heck in you have camels you might as well have belly dancing!
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