{"id":44,"date":"2021-08-30T01:53:44","date_gmt":"2021-08-30T01:53:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cusjc.ca\/mrp\/horseracing\/?page_id=44"},"modified":"2021-08-30T19:51:21","modified_gmt":"2021-08-30T19:51:21","slug":"authors-note","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cusjc.ca\/mrp\/horseracing\/authors-note\/","title":{"rendered":"Author’s Note"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Author’s note<\/h1>\n

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When I first decided to pursue this topic for my project, I was excited. I grew up around racehorses \u2014 my parents own a thoroughbred farm in Calmar, Alta. and I spent many days at the track during the season, in awe of the industry and the beautiful horses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When I finally delved into the research, I realized this subject might be a monster that I cannot tackle. And the pandemic made the pursuit of this topic all the much more challenging. I was not able to collect the photos myself, due to the restrictions of COVID-19 and pursuing interviews became much more difficult. I wasn\u2019t able to go to the track to fully immerse myself in the environment, or interact with trainers, owners and jockeys. Despite this, after readers read my piece, I hope they will have a better sense of how doping affects the racehorse industry and how complex the issues truly are, in Canada and beyond.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But after much research, making connections at the racetrack, and a few gruelling months,\u00a0 I did it. Given the circumstances, I managed to create a thoughtful and well-researched project. Doping in the horse racing industry exists, and I hope I can bring light to a subject that often remains in the dark.<\/span><\/p>\n

This was by far the hardest thing I have ever written to this date, but it is also the thing I am most proud of.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you to my advisor, Brett Popplewell, for trusting me and giving me edits to make this piece the best it could be in the time we had.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you to my sources, for being so open about a controversial and tricky topic. And thank you to Julie Brewster, who provided me with images when I was not able to go and collect my own.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you to my entire Master\u2019s of Journalism cohort, for being there for me and supporting my choice to write about horses, a topic I am deeply passionate about.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you to my parents and my sisters, who always respect my adoration for journalism.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you to my partner, Dylan, who stood by my side until the very, very end of this project. I am grateful for you every single day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And thank you all for reading. I hope you can all appreciate horses as much as I do.<\/span><\/p>\n