The crowd gathered was getting pretty impatient, including us, Guyana’s dedicated entertainment team… and me. Being late for an event, we considered missing this side show, but it’s been a while since any of us saw a horse-cart race, we just couldn’t miss it. The first try was a false start… and so was the second and third. By now quite a number of people had gathered on the railway embankment, others were watching from the security of their homes.
I was considering taking bets but figured that bookie was not one of my strong suits. Without warning they were off, “Black Horse” on the left and “Crapaud” (kra-po) on the right. Shackles jingling, hooves thudding, they made their way to the finish line. At first, it seemed like a tight race with Black Horse holding on to a slim lead.
Mid way through the race, that lead expanded and Crapaud found himself a horse-cart length behind Black Horse. He made one final push but it just wasn’t enough, Black Horse crossed the finish line in style much to the delight of the crowd gathered. As quickly as it started the sideshow ended leaving you wanting for more action. As the crowd began dispersing, a Police Officer arrived on the scene, in what is now a custom, showing up after everything done.
By Hubert Forrester