Forum Discussion

Hi Julianne
We run $2 sweeps and give a prize to 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Money back to the last horse. Staff make up incomplete sweeps. We have the horses' names and colours to give the residents so they know who to barrack for during the race while we enjoy a happy hour.

Some years during morning tea I ask the residents to think what name they would call a race horse and the staff vote which is the best one.
Some years we have a giant floor game and the residents throw dice to get their horse around the "track".
Once in a low care facility we made life sized horse heads and paper jokey hats before the day and the residents put them on their walkers (and heads). We took photos. Now we use them as decorations.

About three weeks before Melbourne Cup we hold craft afternoons to make fascinators and table decorations. We have prizes for the best dressed lady and gentleman. One of our male residents takes great joy in cross dressing on Melbourne Cup day and wearing flowering hats and high heels.