Stampeding Against the Omak Suicide Horse Race

Posted Aug 07, 2012 by Alejandro De La Cruz

Angel Acres Horse Haven and Rescue has paid for anti-horse slaughtering billboards in 34 states.

In July, cause leader Jo Deibel launched a petition on her Causes.com page demanding for the halt of the Omak Suicide Horse Race — a 70-year-old racing tradition held in Omak, Washington where horses and riders jettison down a dangerously steep slope. In 2004, three horses died in the race and 21 total have perished since the race’s inception. Jo is determined to end the race. “We heard of Omak Suicide Race and we thought it was something we could overcome. We did research, crafted a petition, and then sent it out to our readers.” Last week, Jo delivered her petition of 7,000 signatures — surpassing her original goal of 5,000 — to Omak Suicide Race organizers. We chatted with Jo and talked about her accomplishments to date and what she’s hoping to hear from the organizers.

Jo is the cause leader of Stop Horse Slaughter in the USA, a cause with more than 67,000 members. When she launched the petition on her cause page, support was instantaneous. “There were lots of positive comments, almost 100 comments. [The comments] made me feel good because people said things like ‘this shouldn’t be happening.’” Many of those positive commenters shared the petition with their friends and personal networks and shortly after publication, the petition encroached on its goal.

Jo Deibel created a petition to stop the Omak Suicide Race; it drew 7,000 signatures.

This wasn’t Jo’s first step toward protecting the well-being of horses. Jo also runs Angel Acres Horse Haven and Rescue, a nonprofit that rescues and adopts horses who are on their way to slaughterhouses. She became passionate about saving horses from cruel and inhumane practices after adopting her first horse almost 10 years ago. “Maddie was the first horse I rescued and I remember a worker at the shelter saying, ‘Good thing you saved her.’” Jo learned that horses left in the shelter were then exported abroad and prepped for slaughterhouses. Jo believes a horse is simply too majestic of a creature to succumb to this fate.

In late July, Jo’s petition surpassed 5,000 signatures and currently has more than 7,000 names. After downloading the signatures, Jo decided the best course of action was to mail the petition (Jo currently lives in Pennsylvania) to Omak, Washington Mayor Cindy Gagne, who has called the Omak Stampede “our community’s signature event.“

The Omak Stampede, which includes the Omak Suicide Horse Race, begins August 9, and Jo wants the organizers to be in touch with her about the campaign soon. “I hope we get some word from them.” You can watch a clip of the race on the petition page.

Tags: Activism, animal, cause leader, horse slaughtering, Omak Stampede, Omak Suicide Race, petition

Mariakrunic

We must help to end this terrible cruelty against these serene, majestic animals
Obe1horse

i eat horses all day……i breed two and eat the children, if you guys knew how good horse babies tasted you wouldn’t care about this
Jonmarini

Are you people Fucking crazy ? Stop killing these beautiful Animals. Cowards, thats all you are.
Fabricldy

It must take a sick mind to cause this demise to these beautiful creatures.
Pcrohanjr

I just can’t process how humanity can be so evil, selfish and horrifying in their actions! This summer has been the most horrifying! What is happening in our Nation? Commercial farms seriously and brutally abusing and shamlessy killing pigs and baby chicks! Gunmen killing and injuring innocent people in a movie theater, then again another gunman killing and injuring people in another area of our country. I got fed up, didn’t listen to the whole news broadcast.

Animals are my love, especially horses. They are so intelligent! How can people do this to such a beautiful animal, that’s is not only intelligent, but loyal by nature. Doing anything it’s owner wishes to the point of death. Who is your God? Money? Don’t be a fool and believe that God just stands by and let’s the carnage continue. Vengeance is Mine sayeth the Lord! Believe me to all those who participate in these horrifying events, God’s vengeance surpasses anything we as a group would do! Fear God! You remember my words. No one gets away with anything! I know!
- Choscura
  
  The reason I have no problem with people who threaten me with the vengeance of God is that I know they aren’t coming after me. Thank you for being a coward and letting your invisible friend threaten me.
  - http://www.facebook.com/adrian.fell1 Adrian Fell
    
    Don’t do to one you would not like doing to yourself !!!
Beckihennessy

obe1horse are you trying to be funny you sicko. Why make comments like that when people are generally upset about this cruelty to such gorgeous creatures. Human beings as stupid as you are why people love and appreciate animals so much!!!! p.s. ur a f****** p****!!!!
Cheyangel81

No horse or horses should go though that.they are here for one thing only to show love and be are best friend as for a horse owner they should.give them away or try and found homes for.them..i would never do that to my horses…
Icowgirlup2

OMG! This is disgusting! In this day and age, what is wrong with u people! If u want to kill ur selves, race four-wheelers or dirtbikes, not living creatures with feelings! I am sick over this! Please stop it!
Janiceamaher

Evil and despicable how anyone can allow this to go on. I only wish that one day one of the horses would stampede the person(s) responsible for this….and put THEM out of their misery.
Jackholmes65

Because of nonsense gun laws which leave NO respect for Human life, animals have no chance.
Bethany Edings

I can’t believe that this race is allowed how horrible! Will be praying it gets stopped!
Suemoni

Where is the “Humanity” Jesus people what are you doing. I am so sick and tired of “MAN” not caring about other living creatures. This is DISCUSTING. These sub-human beings who drove these horses to there need to be punished. When I say punished I mean they ALL need to run til’ they drop. Let “MAN” see how it feels to be mistreated as they mistreat animals. “Humanity” is DEAD I refer to many humans as Sub Humans. The human race need to be shamed. In my eyes animals are now the superior being, because they know about “COMPASSION”
Jetjim1

Thank you Jo for all you efforts.
Carolinemccord

As the poster reads ‘It’s time for the horror to end,Stop Slaughtering Us’-The horses can’t talk but we can be their voices,it’s time The Omak Stampede which includes the Omak Suicide Horse Race is banned,it’s cruel,dangerous,barbaric and has no place in the 21st Century.The lives of these poor beautiful animals is cheap to the sadistic barbarians that run this event it’s all greed and money with them and as for the owners of these majestic animals I couldn’t be cruel and sadistic to my animals but again it’s the greed,money and sick twisted pleasure these sickos get when they see their animals die-BAN IT NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003667013015 Aponi Van Molhem

Ik heb alle diertjes lief*diertjes zijn mijn leven*het word de hoogste tijd dat jullie rotzakken stoppen met weerloze wezentjes zoo te pijnigen*het is telkens weer om te wenen en ziek van te worden*waar zijn jullie hersenen?menselijk gevoel? STOPPP ermee**jullie moeten langzaam maar zeker kapot gaan met 100.000 keer meer pijn als die weerloze diertjes***dat is mijn wens alvorens ik mijn oogjes sluit ***hoop dat jullie rotzakken heel snel vrekken allemaal want er komt geen einde aan *gaat wel van kwaad naar erger***Aponi die geen blad voor haar mond neemt *die altijd open en eerlijk is***wat ze zegt meent ze en trekt voor niemand 1 woordje terug***
Writeon

Pure senseless, brainless behavior to allow this to go on. Please stop this insane practice immediately. Animals are to be loved and protected, not abused for idiots entertainment!
Veritas10581

People who make the torture and death of animals should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Also they should NEVER be allowed to own another animal as long as they live!!!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Susan-L-Trout/1392284036 Susan L. Trout

As much as I hate to admit it, this horrific horse race is to the native Indian tribe there what bullfights are to the soul-less Spanish people. Change and enlightenment are never an easy process. Organizations and individuals have tried for years to have this race ended. I wish Jo luck. The cruelty has been reported on major TV networks, written about in leading newspapers and is now the subject of many social media outlets. I cannot comprehend how anyone with a mildly-functioning brain (are you listening Omak folks?) can watch this carnage– let alone participate in it. In any other context, the treatment of the horses would clearly be viewed as cruelty to animals but because a community regards the event as “the community’s signature event”, people turn blind eyes and deaf ears to it and celebrate the money it brings in. The human species is a very, very flawed life form. It’s amazing we’ve lived as long as we have. Better take notice, however. Our world’s climate is changing rapidly. And we are very smug. All it will take is a major earthquake, volcanic eruption or the crowning jewel–a rogue and undetected asteroid to hit the earth with the force of a thousand atomic bombs and we’ll sing a different tune….that is if any of us survive! Pity!
- slayboogie
  
  soul-less spanish people?…really susan?…. how many slaughtered turkeys die for thanksgiving?…how many trees are harvested for christmas only to get thrown out as soon as the holiday is over….if this is their tradition then let them have it…its a once a year event….some of you people need to get a life
  - Jensu
    
    As far as I’m aware Turkey’s that are “slaughtered” are killed to be eaten and killed in a humane way, not raced for entertainment – there is a difference.
    But you’re right – tradition is obviously FAR more important than being kind and respectful of other living creatures :-
    - slayboogie
      
      don’t put words in my mouth jen… i didn’t say that and that’s not the point i was trying to make….preserving culture is important…these people might treat their horses better than they treat themselves…we don’t see the care and preparation that goes into breeding or raising these animals…..I’m sure things you and your family consider tradition might seem odd and disgusting to another culture..but no one is trying to force their beliefs and values down your throat
Helen

How sick can people be, this must be STOPPED!!!!
Rsdragon44

I am horrified about the OMAK horese races. In countries like NZ we do not expect to hear of such horriffic barbaric practices! SHAME ON THE MAYOR and all the other people in power who have the authority to do something! Its a disgusting state of affairs that from a country so large as the USA that so few have signed the petition yet in comparrison to USA size. But well done Jo for your hard work! Keep it up and dont give up!!
- http://www.facebook.com/Ghost5of7 Dale Warren
  
  Horrified and barbaric? Why and how? Emotional rhetoric is like masturbation. It only feels good for the person spouting off… and it’s distasteful to anyone who isnt engaged in the same act. As for the self righteous new zealander sentiment…. there are two key phrases in the article I’m linking… they are “all too familiar” and “low level of punishment”…Its too bad this girl is hot…. because her stand on the suicide run in Omak is…. so syrupy and bleeding heart its beyond pathetic. She “heard of” the race….. So decided that…. a 70yr tradition was something we should all be deprived of… because she doesnt like it. All the others who signed on are almost as bad.
  How many horses have died in the 70 yr history? 21… thats an average of one every THIRD year. Tell you what Ms. Diebel, I’m hurt and traumatized if a girl shoots down my pickup line and I mourn every sperm cell that ends its swim that night outside of her company. How about we make it mandatory for every woman to say yes smply because the guy has an emotional investment? That’s preposterous right? Well, so is your crusade against the Stampede.
  - http://www.facebook.com/de.marullo De Marullo
    
    I seriously hope u r kidding,dude….any horse death for the pleasure of sick sadistic humans ..too many. Masturbation? Really dude..get a friggin life and stop takin pleasure in others pain.Play golf!
Was There This weekend

This race ACTUALLY last a little over a minute, and is not nearly the horrible spectacle that is displayed on the media. In the entire history, fewer horses have died than in many flat tracks in one year! Additionally, having been there, and prepared to see the worst, I was pleasantly surprised to see how amazingly athletic horses can be. Water crossings, are not so bad that they are not allowed in three day eventing . . and this water crossing averages in waist high water. The horse only had to take a max of one swim stride and this was a high water year. The riders are not allowed to drink and actualy participate in several vet checks and qualifying steps to determine the suitability of the horse for the event.
- Virginia Greenwood-Warner
  
  What grates me to the core is – if people enjoy extreme sports why on this earth do they involve any innocent creature! As far as I’m concerned they can jump off a building and kill themselves, that’s their choice and it’s fine but innocent animals do not have the choice because we are disgusting cruel despicable humans who do not give a dam about the!
http://www.facebook.com/edithenid.gonzalez Edith Enid Gonzalez

Es cruel lo que estan aciendo con los caballos, pero tambien hay mucha crueldad con todos los animales en genera,l eso tiene que parar
boctor

i wont t b frind
boctor

I wont T Bfrind
pocahontas

this is silly. you can’t link this race with slaughter. it’s an accident that the horses are killed during the race where the slaughter houses pay for horses to come to them so they can be killed for meat, etc. It seems unfair to unroot tradition based on some falsely presumed link between it and some industry with a negative public image.
what about the horses that die during the kentucky derby? or any of the other races? sure they’re not racing down a hill, but the stress is grueling and the chance for injury is still high. horses die of heart failure on the track with some regularity. should we ban all horse races?
I’m not advocating horse slaughter, nor do I necessarily think racing headlong down a slope is a good idea. But stop with the knee jerk emotional reactions. If you’re gunna participate in point and click activism at least think it through, and maybe do some research.
- Jensu
  
  “Shold we ban all horse races?” answer = YES. Just because this is not the only race that horses suffer and die in, doesn’t mean people shouldn’t point out that it is what it is – cruel, selfish and should be banned. I don’t understand what point it is you’re trying to make, pocahontas
http://www.facebook.com/sandra.smit.549 Sandra Smit

Man is the crowning glory of God’s creation, yet it doesn’t make us superior. I wish I could make people understand that they don’t have the right to abuse and destroy! We are upset about the abuse of majestic animals, but go to the townships and look at the condition of the so-called domestic animals. My home is filled with of animals I saved from abuse, but it is not enough!
Joneses

I don’t get it. Over the 70 year history of this race 3.3 horses per year have died (70/21). Tell us more abpou the race.Why is it held, who benefits, who enters the horses, where do they come from, who owns them. Do we have too many horses in this country?
Are we not paying China thru interest on our $16 Trillion debt to feed and support wild horses? Why? I’d rather see these dollars go to wounded warriers those men and women who faught for our freedom for whom our govrnment cannot support and msut go begging on TV for $19 per month pledges to support these people. I love horses as much as the next guy does.
They are lbeautiful animals but we are going to have to make some tough decisions in the next few years.And when it comes between wild horses and our wounded militaryI know which way I’m going to vote. Good luck to this person who wants to stop the race. It is inappropriate to put them in harms way sliding down a slippery slope but let’s hear the other side of the story. Should she not be looking to reduce the horse population rether than worry about 3.3 per year killed ijn a dangerous race? Where would the US be in 50 years if we had 25 % fewer horses? I read that more than 3.3 horses per year die thru malnutrition neglect and abandonment by owners than die in horse races.
Mary

Jo, I will fight with you. I love animals as you do. This needs to be stopped.
There are to many people who are take joy in something like this. THEY ARE
SICK and better beg for forgivness on their death bed. Our God is an all forgiving
God to a point!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Aleechawa-Wells/100002241170740 Aleechawa Wells

Would you want to be out just riding your ‘You thought was your TRUSTED HORSE’ when all of sudden your Horse started to toss you in the brambles? dash you in a creek, rub you off from low-hanging limbs, then strike at you as you lay there crying?” No you wouldn’t! Well our Babies ( Horses) don’t expect to be treated this way in THE SUICIDE RACE EITHER! Did you ask you Horse if he/she wanted to enter? Go ahead and ASK! If you have BONDED with your Baby, it knows enough of what you are speaking! And my BET IS, Your Baby would speak, “Mama or Daddy, I don’t want to go in THAT! I heard all the Horse-Talk thru the Barn last night and it seems some of my People are dead!? Is this true?” Well just look into thoes soft trusting eyes, knowing you can sleep on a camp-out leaning up against the warm back of your horse. Recall the many time, you just left the reins loose so your horse could make the WISER decision when you all got into a rough spot! The answers are endless, yes? It takes a FOOL, CRUEL & HORSE HATER to put thier Trusting-Steed in this race! Not a Horse-Lover! I no-want to see the race, saw one out West, rather came across one, and got so up-set I rode my Beautiful Walker on back to the Cabin & cried over what we had seen! I am a Kentucky Woman, Cherokee Blood Thick that will choose my Trusting Mare over any Man or Race! She, “Big Black’ loves me without conditions, just Love and Sing to her. Hell, this has me war pathed! aleechawa
- slayboogie
  
  or maybe the horse says” Mamma this barn is boring and these other 2 horses on the side smell and and are annoying…i want to do something exciting let’s do a kickass high risk race and go for the gusto!”…that’s what my horse would of said
kayeql

First paragraph – “perished” not “parished”.
gautam gigoo

am with you keep loving these lovely angels god bless them and you :)
mcapps

This is sick! What’s wrong with human kind? I don’t understand how we can “protect” the criminals but think it’s ok to torture innocent animals. If man was wants to hurt something then “man-up” and do it to yourself, or are you not man enough? People that abuse and hurt the innocent are weak cowards!!
Jim Matsiglia

This race is rooted in an old Indian warrior tradition of endurance. Does anyone care if there were any human casualties in this race? No, because we care more about our pets than we do about our brothers & sisters. We say that we “owe” the Indians something for taking their land & we try to repay them by honoring their traditions any way we can. Ill bet that there isn’t one participant in that race that doesn’t care about the horse they’re riding. I’m all for being nice to animals, I like ‘em too, but I think this “cause” is a waste of time. We’re not gonna save the world by being nice to animals; it starts by showing compassion to our fellow human beings. Love thy neighbor, don’t point the finger at them. Lets find something more worthy to support. We Americans can be such pussies sometimes!
- Jensu
  
  Unfortunately Jim, your very viewpoints are the reason the human race is a virus. How very very selfish to think that we should put ourselves out there as the most important thing in the world – it is very egotistical and dangerous to think this way. As the most intelligent and able creatures on this plant we have been put in a position where we are trusted with the world’s creatures and environment. And what do we do? Take what we want from everything without any regard for what’s best for anyone but ourselves. In the end we will be the death of ourselves.
  As a kind and caring person, I like to put others first, including animals and nature where possible. Obviously entertainment is not a necessary evil like eating animals for instance. Animals being exploited for tradition or entertainment is totally unnacceptable to anyone with a fully developed emotional and rational brain.
Jana

Humanity is one of the most cruellest being in the world!
Compassion

First & foremost thank u Jo for having empathy in your heart to take action as u have.I can’t express in words of how angry it makes me to know that people can actually put these beautiful animals in harms way much less set them up for slaughter.I love every pet animal,go out of my way to help & feed homeless animals.I just would like to grab whoever harms any animal & prep them up for slaughter or grab their feet like a wheel barrel make them race see how they like being put through that!!!
RositaMassallo

My opinion an wish I could stop it is cruelty to animal,children,woman’s,but unfortunally I have know choice an it hurts so bad when I hear about cruelty not so long ago I read the news about a dog who was shot inside a cloth bag an if it was from a good hearted person that past by an saw the bag moving his still a live but he will never be the same,
http://www.facebook.com/Ghost5of7 Dale Warren

Its too bad this girl is hot…. because her stand on the suicide run in Omak is…. so syrupy and bleeding heart its beyond pathetic. She “heard of” the race….. So decided that…. a 70yr tradition was something we should all be deprived of… because she doesnt like it. All the others who signed on are almost as bad.
How many horses have died in the 70 yr history? 21… thats an average of one every THIRD year. Tell you what Ms. Diebel, I’m hurt and traumatized if a girl shoots down my pickup line and I mourn every sperm cell that ends its swim that night outside of her company. How about we make it mandatory for every woman to say yes smply because the guy has an emotional investment? That’s preposterous right? Well, so is your crusade against the Stampede.
http://www.facebook.com/de.marullo De Marullo

Sick humans participating in sick rituals..70yrs too much…slavery lasted more than a minute..remember? Cut out these examples of sicko human traits…go save a life instead. Volunteer to help animals and pray u don’t go to the bad place my invisible friend just may send you to.
bear day

this a native american tradition to these people and you wanna take that way, how about they take burgers and fries away, or cell phones or air???? leave peoples traditions alone and let them live as best as they can the way thier fore fathers did! It makes me sad to see people trying to take native american practices away cause people dont understand, the suicide race was started as a right of passage from boy to man! i dont condone the abuse of animals but i do accept others way of life!!
open yours eyes

This is a horrid abuse of horses. Every single animal thinks and knows the doom they face. It is beyond belief that states have enacted laws to keep their slaughterhouse doors shut and private. If they’re so humane, then what’s the problem with overseeing them? Every single bite of meat you eat supports unbearable suffering. We are not much worse than the Chinese and other countries who skin dogs alive after they have been shipped like popcorn filler. The lucky ones suffocate before they reach their destination. Look into the Mustang Wars and so many other uncivilized actions allowed to be taken here. Therapeutic centers should be opened all over the country for equine, feline and every single animal that suffers as a result of your selfish, uneducated support of killing animals in every way. Canned hunting, bear baiting. If you insist on supporting these horrible conditions of no quality of life and horrid mutilation, the least you can do is OPEN YOUR EYES! Watch ‘From Farm to Fridge’ on youtube. I would like every single child to know of the grace of all animals, up close and personal. I would not want them to be emotionally scarred for life after seeing what we do but perhaps them seeing how lovely all animals are, that perhaps they will stop this barbarism! Equine and all animal therapy benefits from the work that so many benefit from due to the grace of animals when all the while race and personal dogs, horses and every other animal serves and shares their undying love for each other and us are horribly and unnecessarily slaughtered in the millions. Spay and neutering these animals is what’s needed to control their populations, not to mention the methane gas their and our flatulences from eating them contributes so greatly to our catastrophic greenhouse problem.
http://www.facebook.com/ryocan.flores Ryocan Flores

The Real Question here is why do we humans can go this deep to kill animals for theyr own entertainment?Horses are not animals to be trap’d and used for our entertainment/use,these animals represent freedom and they should be,not leaving in a cage or tied down!
nathan

I eat horse meat

Stampeding Against the Omak Suicide Horse Race

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