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Taylor Swift- Melbourne Cup

Hey Taylor,

I have been a fan for a very long time. Fan isn’t even a word that I would use to describe my utmost adoration of you. I grew up belting fearless at the top of my lungs into a deodorant bottle, I cried for a love I never had every time I heard All Too Well, I made everyone I know listen to Blank Space and spent an hour explaining the symbolism and excellent writing that would put novelists to shame and I defended you to every single person that spewed hate because you never deserved it. You have always been so loyal and so loving to all of your fans. Whether we have met you or not, we always felt a part of your story and felt that you knew us as well as we know you.

So, as a fan, a supporter, a person who looks up to you, I beg of you to reconsider your appearance at the Melbourne Cup Carnival. I want you to come to Melbourne (I live here) and the thought of meeting you and seeing you live again almost made me purchase a Melbourne Cup ticket. However, I halted because I knew it wasn’t right. You taught me through your music, your actions and the way you lead your life that I should always stay true to myself and what I believe in.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival is where a group of people with money come to watch horses be mistreated and slaved away. They enjoy drinks and gamble on these horses to run faster so they can make more money.  It is not a family friendly day in the sun where people sip their wine in a fancy cup with their fancy hats. There are so many issues that are fundamentally wrong with these races that I feel that I must explain.

Since 2013, 6 horses have died because of the races. Most of these horses, including Admire Rakti, Red Cadeaux and Regal Monarch, have all collapsed during the races, their legs have shattered and consequently they had to be euthanised.

From the years 2016 to 2017, Australian races have caused 137 horses to tragically die. According to an article by the Sydney Morning Herald, most injured horses are not given the time to recuperate but rather are given painkillers or other drugs to keep them racing before they are euthanised. Most horses are whipped, tortured and over 85 percent of them have lesions to their stomach. More than half of these horses have blood in their windpipes. It is not natural for a horse to be used for our entertainment. It’s the same with greyhound racing and any type of ‘sport’ that makes profit over the mistreatment of animals.

I say these things because I love you and I want you to know that the Melbourne Cup is not as great as it seems. I also don’t want to see you get hurt anymore and I don’t want people hating on you because of this either. You have always led your life and your career in an honourable way. I see your example and have taken important strides in my life by saying to myself- ‘hey Taylor could do it, so why can’t I?’

I know how contractual obligations work, and it may be possible that you won’t be able to back out of this event now that it is official. However, I still wanted to tell you that as a person that only wants the best for you that the Melbourne Cup is not something you want to associate yourself with.

Me not buying a Melbourne Cup ticket does not mean I support you less. I am a still a loyal Swiftie forever, through and through. It pains me that I won’t see you perform but you taught me to be true to myself. Love you forever and always.

P.S

Here are some articles about the Melbourne Cup to check out:

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/weekend-australian-magazine/its-unaustralian-i-know-but/news-story/0e5ac502025b1016b15f1b1770600f02

https://www.nowtolove.com.au/news/local-news/melbourne-cup-2018-nup-to-the-cup-52266

https://www.smh.com.au/opinion/melbourne-cup-one-of-the-cruellest-days-in-citys-calendar-20171106-gzfj9m.html

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/superracing/vic-racing/melbourne-cup-tragedies-how-many-horses-have-died-during-the-race-that-stops-the-nation/news-story/bcda107886d17ea79844947b580a9f86

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-06/the-cliffsofmoher-euthanased-on-track-after-melbourne-cup/10470260