Elf On A Shelf
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Today the BHA have announced new changes to the current rules regarding use of the whip in races.
As it stands, until the end of the week, is that if you exceed the number of times you are permitted to strike the horse you are given a ban from riding. With the new rules that number is now where the stewards review the ride given to the horse. If they deem the jockey has used his whip inappropriately then a ban will be issued, same with really excessive use.
This is a step in the right direction! And a long overdue one to boot! With the Cheltenham Festival looming jockeys can now go about their jobs without fear of 2 things - getting a whip ban for a smack or two over the limit, or be banned for "not trying" because they darent use their whips. Of course the jockeys won't now go out and abuse the changes as they CAN still be banned for one strike over the 9 permitted if the stewards deem it unneccessary. They would also more than likely like to keep these newly reformed rules so won't be pushing the boundaries to see how far they can push them. The stewards are strict and won't be gulled over by anyone, not even AP.
Sometimes I do despair of racing - the only sport in the world where you are punished for trying your utmost hardest to win!
Before anyone tries to turn this into an anti-racing thread please don't. We have had enough of them already and I can see more on the horrizon in a few weeks time when The Festival starts.
As a slight side note - We honour our greats in racing, Kauto Star is getting a bar at Kempton Racecourse named after him. We have statues here there and everywhere of famous beasts, Red Rum, Best Mate, Persian Punch to name but a few. What other equestrian sport honours their greats in any way?
As it stands, until the end of the week, is that if you exceed the number of times you are permitted to strike the horse you are given a ban from riding. With the new rules that number is now where the stewards review the ride given to the horse. If they deem the jockey has used his whip inappropriately then a ban will be issued, same with really excessive use.
This is a step in the right direction! And a long overdue one to boot! With the Cheltenham Festival looming jockeys can now go about their jobs without fear of 2 things - getting a whip ban for a smack or two over the limit, or be banned for "not trying" because they darent use their whips. Of course the jockeys won't now go out and abuse the changes as they CAN still be banned for one strike over the 9 permitted if the stewards deem it unneccessary. They would also more than likely like to keep these newly reformed rules so won't be pushing the boundaries to see how far they can push them. The stewards are strict and won't be gulled over by anyone, not even AP.
Sometimes I do despair of racing - the only sport in the world where you are punished for trying your utmost hardest to win!
Before anyone tries to turn this into an anti-racing thread please don't. We have had enough of them already and I can see more on the horrizon in a few weeks time when The Festival starts.
As a slight side note - We honour our greats in racing, Kauto Star is getting a bar at Kempton Racecourse named after him. We have statues here there and everywhere of famous beasts, Red Rum, Best Mate, Persian Punch to name but a few. What other equestrian sport honours their greats in any way?
