Bryony Frost

[Orangehorse]

When watching the race I thought that the jockey was making a good job, before I knew it was Bryony. The horse jumped really well.

Nice win.

 

[Alec Swan]

Success breeds further success as we know and as she succeeds and as she instills confidence in owners and trainers, so the better the rides that she will attract. She's mentored as are other young jockeys by Mick Fitzgerald (what an all-round excellent man he is), and so it only remains to be seen if she maintains the unrelenting punishment which jump-jockeys visit upon themselves.

As Bryony's experience increases, along with her confidence and as she rides in ever more competitive races so there are going to be the falls and the inevitable injuries — her mother must be worried sick. Jump racing really isn't a job for girls, no matter how we may applaud her grit and her determination. Will her level of skill and focus carry her through the incidents of broken bones and hospitalisation? I very much doubt it …….. though in the meantime, with my heart in my mouth as I watch, I do sooo wish her well!

Alec.

 

[Clodagh]

Alec don't be so sexist!! At least she shouldn't have to starve herself to do 10 stone.
I love watching her ride, and listening to her speak she is always so full of the horse, when she was talking about Black Corton and how she said 'Come on Blackie' to him. LOve her!

 

[Alec Swan]

Alec don't be so sexist!! ……..

I'm not being sexist. I'm focussed on the reality of being a jump jockey. The question doesn't focus around her determination and her grit as I've already said, the question is if she can cope with the inevitable falls and the certain injuries.

Alec.

 

[Rowreach]

I'm not being sexist. I'm focussed on the reality of being a jump jockey. The question doesn't focus around her determination and her grit as I've already said, the question is if she can cope with the inevitable falls and the certain injuries.

Alec.

I don't think success as a jump jockey has anything to do with gender Alec, I think it's to do with how totally nuts you are, and there are clearly more men who are nuts than women

 

[popsdosh]

I'm not being sexist. I'm focussed on the reality of being a jump jockey. The question doesn't focus around her determination and her grit as I've already said, the question is if she can cope with the inevitable falls and the certain injuries.

Alec.

Its in her breeding!! Her mothers used to the worry!

 

[HashRouge]

I'm not being sexist. I'm focussed on the reality of being a jump jockey. The question doesn't focus around her determination and her grit as I've already said, the question is if she can cope with the inevitable falls and the certain injuries.

Alec.

I don't see why she would be less able to cope with the falls and injuries than the men?

 

[Fools Motto]

Trust me, she is as tough as they come and more determined than ever. It's a race/competition to see who will get to ride in the national first (or beat each other in the national!) between her and Harry Cobden who is equally talented. I love them both.

 

[Alec Swan]

I don't think success as a jump jockey has anything to do with gender Alec, I think it's to do with how totally nuts you are, and there are clearly more men who are nuts than women

I'm not too sure whether I should give that a 'Like', or not! I don't even care for quoting you, much!!

Alec.

[edit] …….. an' another thing, I've known some women in my time, several who were nuts, some majored in lunacy, so I'm not sure that being mentally unbalanced has anything to do with it — STET and back to my original thoughts!

 

[Rowreach]

I'm not too sure whether I should give that a 'Like', or not! I don't even care for quoting you, much!!

Alec.

[edit] …….. an' another thing, I've known some women in my time, several who were nuts, some majored in lunacy, so I'm not sure that being mentally unbalanced has anything to do with it — STET and back to my original thoughts!

Come to think of it, I may have met some of them too

 

[Trules]

I think she's great. a breath of fresh air. And i hope she gets some great rides and wins under her belt. The times they are a changing! Exciting!

 

[Chiffy]

Only just had time to watch this race, loved it! She sits so quietly and in balance and the horse just kept jumping in a wonderful rhythm. So clever to know you are owing the right speed!
Her post race interviews are great, she just loves the horses and what they do.

 

[KautoStar1]

Hen Knight was on RUK yesterday and while she was praising BF and other female riders, she was very much of the view that jump racing in particular was a man’s game. Not because the girls weren’t capable riders, but that she wasn’t sure the female body could sustain the injuries in quite the same way as the men, nor could the girls mentally cope so well with the injuries, short and long term damage. It was just her theory but interesting that for a woman who has lead the way in a man’s world to still hold that view after all she has seen. She was keen to stress her view was injury related not ability.

Having seen the state of some of the men with smashed up faces, missing teeth, scars etc, it does make me wonder why anyone would want to be a jump jockey, but as a woman, would I want to end up looking like I’d done 10 rounds with Anthony Joshua before I was 30 ?

 

[ycbm]

Having seen the state of some of the men with smashed up faces, missing teeth, scars etc, it does make me wonder why anyone would want to be a jump jockey, but as a woman, would I want to end up looking like I’d done 10 rounds with Anthony Joshua before I was 30 ?

I wouldn't want to fight on the front line either, but there are women who do.

I'm not sure how many men could cope with the injuries either, we aren't exactly talking about your average bloke walking down the street. I see no reason while a small percentage of women couldn't be as good as the small percentage of men who ride jumps now.

I'm surprised that so many people (not on the forum, commentators) seem to think men recover from injury physically faster than women. I don't think there is any evidence of that is there? They've got my records marked at my local hospital for the speed I knit bone at!

 

[Clodagh]

Dehydration is a big factor in concussion, so hopefully women will be less dehydrated and more nutritionally supported and therefore less prone to that sort of thing.
I do hope we have moved on from being perceived as incapable of taking on the boys as we are 'weak' and 'vain'.

 

[KautoStar1]

I wouldn't want to fight on the front line either, but there are women who do.

I'm not sure how many men could cope with the injuries either, we aren't exactly talking about your average bloke walking down the street. I see no reason while a small percentage of women couldn't be as good as the small percentage of men who ride jumps now.

I'm surprised that so many people (not on the forum, commentators) seem to think men recover from injury physically faster than women. I don't think there is any evidence of that is there? They've got my records marked at my local hospital for the speed I knit bone at!

I'm just reporting what she said.

 

[Alec Swan]

Hen Knight was on RUK yesterday and while she was praising BF and other female riders, she was very much of the view that jump racing in particular was a man’s game. Not because the girls weren’t capable riders, but that she wasn’t sure the female body could sustain the injuries in quite the same way as the men, nor could the girls mentally cope so well with the injuries, short and long term damage. It was just her theory but interesting that for a woman who has lead the way in a man’s world to still hold that view after all she has seen. She was keen to stress her view was injury related not ability. …….. ?

So at least one person agrees with me and a voice to carry some weight too.

Alec.

 

[Clodagh]

Having seen the state of some of the men with smashed up faces, missing teeth, scars etc, it does make me wonder why anyone would want to be a jump jockey, but as a woman, would I want to end up looking like I’d done 10 rounds with Anthony Joshua before I was 30 ?

If risking a scar meant to you could you something that you really, really wanted to do, and were really good at, would it stop you? Also, when you are 20 you tend to think you asre indestructable anyway. I must say I am disappointed with Henrietta Knight, perhaps she should now stick to show ponies.

 

[Rowreach]

If risking a scar meant to you could you something that you really, really wanted to do, and were really good at, would it stop you? Also, when you are 20 you tend to think you asre indestructable anyway. I must say I am disappointed with Henrietta Knight, perhaps she should now stick to show ponies.

If you look at any other sport or activity or job that involves risk, you will find women doing those things and being at the top of their game.

There must be some reason why we have not seen this trend in jump racing. Even those hardy lady point to point riders don't make it on the professional circuit.

 

[Alec Swan]

……..

I do hope we have moved on from being perceived as incapable of taking on the boys as we are 'weak' and 'vain'.

It has nothing to do with weakness or vanity, or women being feeble either. How many sporting world records are held by women where they compete with men?

Alec.

 

[Trules]

i think on the back of a horse women are on a level playing field with men, even maybe at an advantage due to the lighter body weight. I think until now we haven't seen women get offered the best rides as racing is a very traditional sport and the old timers owners and trainers still maybe harbour old fashioned beliefs that jump racing is no place for girls. I think we are about to see that change!!

 

[ycbm]

I'm just reporting what she said.

?????? Don't understand this comment KS, I made it clear I wasn't taking about anyone on the forum?


Alec, dear, you're a dinosaur! Have you not noticed the number of women in Olympic eventing teams? You don't need a brute strength advantage when you have a horse!

 

[Rowreach]

There is a world of difference between riding one incredibly well schooled horse, without any interference from others, round a cross country course, and taking on a load of chase fences surrounded by a load of others, all vying for the best ground/best route, some of which don't even have riders attached.

Having evented and raced, I can safely say that race riding is the scariest thing (albeit the most exciting) that I have ever done. I wasn't hugely talented at either, but one thing I did notice was that in eventing it is perfectly possible for women and men to compete equally, and in racing it generally isn't.

 

[Clodagh]

I just don't see why most of you feel thar Bryony should not be doing this. I am flabbergasted to be honest, and hope she does brilliantly well.

ETA I just saw more replies, and see that that is not the case, mainly just Alec and Henrietta Knight! (And KS seems on the fence) go Bryony!

 

[Rowreach]

I just don't see why most of you feel thar Bryony should not be doing this. I am flabbergasted to be honest, and hope she does brilliantly well.

ETA I just saw more replies, and see that that is not the case, mainly just Alec and Henrietta Knight! (And KS seems on the fence) go Bryony!

I say good luck to her, I have no problem at all with her doing it, but I am responding to those people who think that women in general can or should be doing it.

My point is that if they could, they already would (as in other equestrian sports).

 

[Clodagh]

I agree with Trules that racing is a male orientated, traditional sport. How many female huntsmen are there? Very few.
Also I doubt as many women as men would want to do it, but I totally support their right to choose.

 

[Clodagh]

I agree with Trules that racing is a male orientated, traditional sport. How many female huntsmen are there? Very few.
Also I doubt as many women as men would want to do it, but I totally support their right to choose.

 

[Alec Swan]

……..
Also I doubt as many women as men would want to do it, but I totally support their right to choose.

Who has said that they shouldn't have the right to choose?

Alec.

 

[Chiffy]

There is a world of difference between riding one incredibly well schooled horse, without any interference from others, round a cross country course, and taking on a load of chase fences surrounded by a load of others, all vying for the best ground/best route, some of which don't even have riders attached.

Having evented and raced, I can safely say that race riding is the scariest thing (albeit the most exciting) that I have ever done. I wasn't hugely talented at either, but one thing I did notice was that in eventing it is perfectly possible for women and men to compete equally, and in racing it generally isn't.

When my OH and I were eventing, we had many point to point friends and we also rode out for a professional yard so knew plenty of jockeys.
We found the eventers thought the jockeys were brave, or mad and the jockeys thought the eventers were. The eventers thought it very scary to have to think about all the horses around you and the jockeys didn’t like the idea of taking on a variety of fences alone without the added adrenaline of others with you.

 

[Clodagh]

Jump racing really isn't a job for girls,

Alec.

That doesn't sound altogether supportive?