Dear Editor,
The Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee (MJVC), a non-profit organization in collaboration with Brighton Turf Club (BTC) will usher in the New Year (January 1, 2024) with the largest Gymkhana extravaganza at Brighton Park Racetrack, East Corentyne. For decades, Brighton Turf Club had always had horse races on New Year’s Day as a form of entertainment for the residents in the various villages in the Macedonia Joppa district and beyond. It was a tradition that the residents look forward to every New Year’s Day to celebrate and have fun, but the tradition ended in the mid-1990s due in part to the passing of several executive members of the Brighton Turf Club and the lack of finance to maintain the track, and the pavilion which eventually collapsed about a decade ago. But as time went by, most of the new executives’ members of BTC did not carry on the tradition because they became less interested in horse racing and concentrated their efforts on other sporting events, including soccer and cricket. Therefore, the tradition of having horse races on New Year’s Day at Brighton Park Racetrack did not continue.
However, after a respite for almost three decades, Brighton Park Turf Club will return to its traditional horse racing agenda on New Year’s Day 2024. The all-day gala event will commence at 11:00 AM and is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of horse racing and games fans not only from the Macedonia Joppa district, but throughout Corentyne and as far as West Coast Berbice and elsewhere. There will be be five regular races and one thoroughbred race and different breeds of horses are expected to compete for the top prizes, and the winners in each category will be awarded cash and trophies. Also several other activities including side attractions are planned for the extravaganza such as trampoline and bouncy castle for children, greasy pig, bag race and a donkey race, and many others.
With the weather permitting, the gymkhana, which will be a spectacular event, is the only one of its kind on New Year’s Day in East Corentyne where horse racing has always been the second most popular sporting event after cricket. However, in the last two years, its popularity has soared to new heights due largely to the thrilling combination of speed, strategy, and the connection between horse and jockey which has captured the hearts of horse race fans throughout Corentyne. It is a unique blend of both sport and entertainment that brings people together to enjoy an array of some of the best tasty local dishes such as barbeque chicken, roast pork, fish and chips, jerk chicken, cook-up, fried rice, and roti and curry among others and the lively and customary, Hip-Hop, Soca and Reggae music supplied by the lively, dynamic, and popular YARD VYBZ Sound. It will be a day of merriment and all are invited.
Sincerely,
Dr. Asquith Rose
MJVC Chair
Ms. Vanessa Ross-Albert
MJVC Public Relations Director
