Bob is wanting to try jockeying and is about to enter an important steeplechase on a new horse. Ed who has been working to train the horse meets him before the race and says, "All you have to remember with this horse is that every time you approach a jump, you have to shout, "ALLLLEEE OOOP!" really loudly in the horse's ear. Providing you do that, you'll be fine".
Bob thinks the trainer is mad but promises to shout the command.
The race begins and they approach the first hurdle. Bob ignores the trainer's ridiculous advice and the horse crashes straight through the center of the jump.
They carry on and approach the second hurdle. Bob, somewhat embarrassed, whispers "Aleeee ooop" in the horse's ear. The same thing happens -- the horse crashes straight through the center of the jump.
At the third hurdle, Bob thinks, "It's no good, I'll have to do it" and yells, "ALLLEEE OOOP!" really loudly.
Sure enough, the horse sails over the jump with no problems. This continues for the rest of the race, but due to the earlier problems the horse only finishes third.
Ed is fuming and asks Bob what went wrong. He replies, "Nothing is wrong with me -- it's this damn horse. What is he -- deaf or something?"
Ed replies, "Deaf?? DEAF?? He's not deaf -- he's BLIND!"