Profile Critique

The article I chose to critique was an article in The Columbus Dispatch on Beka Weaver and her blind horse Stormy. While I applaud The Dispatch for their news judgement ( because this is the person I wanted to cover for my profile...until I found out about the article,) I felt there were many things that could have been done better or differently. First of all, The Dispatch reported there were 30 competitors in the Extreme Cowboy Race, but I think this number may be wrong. I question the accuracy of the number. Also it says that the Equine Affair draws 100,000 people to the Ohio Expo center. However...this data isn't cited. I felt that the article overall was very touching, however there were no other sources besides Weaver quoted in the story. I think it would have been appropriate to have a friend or family member to quote. Also the article talks about the disease that caused Stormy to go blind, however I feel that it should also have referenced the disease by its common name "moon blindness." The article would have been better if it had a negative "to be sure" thought. Even though many people Weaver is doing a great thing, there are still those that disagree. Some feel the horse should have been humanly euthanized because of his condition. I feel that the reporter should have talked to the veterinarian in order to get a medical standpoint on the condition. The kicker of the story was very nice, however it was kind-of confusing if one is not familiar with the Extreme Cowboy Race. The reporter could have made it slightly more clear.