Loop News
April 15, 2025 6:33 PM ET
Horse race in Vieux Fort
Horsemen and horse race enthusiasts in the south have encountered another disappointment.
The horse race scheduled for Easter has been cancelled due to the lack of a proper venue.
Earlier this year, another horse race set for Independence celebrations was also cancelled for the same reason.
A number of horsemen and horse race enthusiasts were eagerly anticipating the fun-filled event, which usually attracts a large crowd.
“There will be no horse race for Easter. We don’t have a venue, we don’t have a track,” president of the Southern Equestrian Association, Choix Melchoir lamented.
“We are very disappointed it will not happen,” he added.
Melchoir said that there are other reasons why they are unable to hold the event, but stressed that the lack of a venue is their main reason.
Horse races in Vieux-Fort were typically held on the old runway in Vieux-Fort, known as the Base or Caca Bef. However, that venue is no longer available having been leased to Rubis by the St Lucia Air and Seaports Authority (SLASPA).
According to Melchoir, the association identified an area in Beanfield to hold the horse race, but they were unable to get permission to use the land from the owner. He said they had identified other suitable areas but were mainly focused on that particular area.
“Despite the fact that we have been trying with our limited resources, we have not gotten the requisite assistance from the powers that be,” Melchoir said. “We have signaled our intention to use a particular area by making calls and writing letters to the powers that be, but we have not got the go-ahead to use the area.”
According to Melchoir, the association does not want to utilize its limited resources to prepare the land for the event, only to be told later on that they can’t use it.
He said the next horse race may be held sometime in August this year.
Melchoir said holding horse races in Vieux-Fort is part of their thrust to keep young people in Vieux-Fort occupied and provide entertainment for the community.
He said the association is heartened by the positive feedback it has received from the general public for holding successful horse races in Vieux-Fort.
“We would like to thank the general public for its support over the years,” Melchoir said, adding that the association can only do so much.
By Kingsley Emanuel