Tag: riding crop

Riding Crop Will Be ‘Theme’ Of New York Commission’s October Meeting

With announcements made by several major racing jurisdictions about the riding crop this month, the New York State Gaming Commission said in its Monday meeting that it will hear industry participants' input on the issue next month, reports the Thoroughbred Daily News.

“I think we all agree that this is a matter that needs to be brought to closure sooner rather than later. Some of us contend that it's been out there too long,” said chairman Barry Sample. “The theme of the October meeting is going to be the crop.”

It will take another meeting beyond October to vote on any proposed whip rule the NYSGC may write, and if passed, the rule must be published in the New York State Register and be sent out for general public comment. The NYSGC will then take a final vote, so implementation would be in 2021 at the earliest.

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

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California’s More Restrictive Whip Rules Go Into Effect On Oct. 1

A more restrictive rule governing use of the riding crop will go into effect Oct. 1 for all Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, and mixed-breed races and also during training in California. The amended rule is designed to further protect horses without compromising the safety of horses and riders.

The key revisions to California Horse Racing Board Rule 1688 include:

  • Riders cannot use the crop more than six times during a race, excluding showing or waiving the crop or tapping the horse on the shoulder.
  • Riders cannot use the crop more than two times in succession (within the six-time limit) without giving the horse a chance to respond before using the crop again.
  • The crop must be used in an underhanded position with the crop always at or below the shoulder level of the jockey.
  • During training the crop can only be used for the safety of horse or rider.
  • Absent mitigating circumstances, which includes but is not limited to use of the riding crop for the safety of horse and rider, if a jockey or exercise rider rides in a manner contrary to this rule, the stewards shall impose a maximum fine of $1,000 and a minimum suspension of three days. In trial heats, the suspension shall include the subsequent related stakes race.
  • The jockey or exercise rider shall not be penalized if, in the opinion of the stewards, the use of the crop was necessary for the safety of the horse or rider.

In order to ease the transition, stewards will be meeting with the jockey colonies at the respective tracks to explain the rule and to answer questions. In addition, the CHRB is recommending to the Boards of Stewards that they should for a reasonable period of time use the “mitigating circumstances” language to employ the current penalty structure – lighter penalties — in order to make the transition to the amended rule less disruptive to jockeys, in particular, as well as all stakeholders and the wagering public generally.

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The Friday Show Presented By Woodbine: McCarron On Whip Reform

Many racing jurisdictions throughout the United States and around the world are taking steps to change how the whip – or riding crop if you prefer – is used in our sport.

While there doesn't seem to be consensus on exactly what changes should be made, there is widespread agreement that some reforms are necessary.

In a special edition of the Friday Show this week, Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron joins publisher Ray Paulick and editor-in-chief Natalie Voss to share his views on whip reform and how his opinion has evolved, both during his riding days and later while teaching aspiring jockeys at the North American Racing Academy in Lexington, Ky.

“I was still learning when I retired after 28 years in the saddle,” said McCarron, “and I learned even more when I started teaching, when I had to articulate what my thoughts were to the students and try to instill in them what the experience is like.”

McCarron is firm in his conviction that the riding crop is a necessary piece of equipment for a jockey to carry, but also believes that reform is an important step forward for the sport, and one that can and should be achieved on an international basis.

Watch The Friday Show below to hear Chris McCarron's perspective on this issue, and let us know your feelings in the comment section.

The post The Friday Show Presented By Woodbine: McCarron On Whip Reform appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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CHRB Reallocates Northern California Fair Dates To Pleasanton, Golden Gate

The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting by teleconference on Thursday, June 11. The public participated by dialing into the teleconference and/or listening through the audio webcast link on the CHRB website. Dr. Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Wendy Mitchell, and Alex Solis.

The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief:

  • The Board approved a regulatory amendment that further restricts the use of the riding crop in both racing and training. The rule prohibits using the crop more than six times in the race, excluding simply showing the crop to the horse or tapping the horse on the shoulder, and within that limit prohibits using the crop more than two times in succession without giving the horse time to respond. The rule cites the proper way for using the crop in an underhanded position without it ever rising above the shoulders of the rider. The rule also prohibits using the crop during training except when necessary for the safety of the horse and rider. Under the required regulatory review process involving other state offices, this rule will not go into effect for several months at the earliest.
  • The Board approved for 45-day public notice new specifications for construction of riding crops. The regulatory amendment will require all riding crops to be topped by shock-absorbing, smooth foam cylinders, which are demonstrated to be safer for horses
  • The COVID-19 heath crisis has disrupted racing and fair operations in Northern California, forcing the Board to reallocate dates and approve modifications to racing license applications only for the year 2020. In a compromise supported by racing and fair executives that is designed to meet health protocols, while providing adequate and convenient stabling for horses on the Northern California circuit, the Board approved a revised racing and simulcasting calendar as follows:

At this time envisioned without spectators, the current meet at Golden Gate Fields will conclude (both racing and simulcasting) on June 16. From there racing and simulcasting will move to Pleasanton for the Alameda County Fair meet (June 17 through July 14), continue at Pleasanton for the relocated State Fair meet in Pleasanton (July 15 through July 28), move back to Golden Gate, initially for the relocated Sonoma County Fair meet at Golden Gate (July 29 through August 11), continue at Golden Gate with its own meet (August 12 through October 6), proceed to Fresno for the Big Fresno Fair meet (October 7 through October 20), then finally conclude at Golden Gate (October 21 through December 22). The precise racing dates for each meet (within those allocations) will be determined by the individual license applications. All meets will operate with protocols approved by their county heath officials. Golden Gate will continue to provide stabling during the Alameda County and Fresno fairs.

  • Reflecting the approved date allocations, the Board approved the license application for the Alameda County Fair to run a fair meet in Pleasanton with racing set to begin June 19 and continue through July 12, conditioned on submission of specified required documents to the CHRB. At this time Alameda County health officials have not given approval for public participation.
  • The Board approved the license application for the California Exposition and State Fair to run a fair meet in Pleasanton with racing set to begin July 17 and continue through July 26, conditioned on submission of specified required documents to the CHRB. At this time Alameda County health officials have not given approval for public participation.
  • The Board approved the license application for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club to run a race meet in Del Mar with racing set to begin July 10 and continue through September 7. At this time San Diego County health officials have not given approval for public participation.
  • The Board approved separate agreements between the California Authority of Racing Fairs and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club with the Thoroughbred Owners of California authorizing the racing secretary for the State Fair meet at Pleasanton and the racing secretary for the Del Mar meet to establish conditions for races. The agreements prohibit anti-bleeding medication (Lasix) in 2-year-olds, limit Lasix to 250 mg, prohibit any intra-articular medication within 14 days of a race, and extend that prohibition to 30 days for fetlock injections, both metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints.
  • The Board suspended Rule 1845(h) during the Del Mar meet, which required that syringes used to administer furosemide on race day be retained.
  • The Board approved a regulatory amendment requiring individuals to hold an Assistant Trainer license in good standing for one year as a prerequisite for a Trainer license.
  • The Board adopted a rule strictly limiting the use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on racehorses. The new rule prohibits any horse from racing or participating in timed workouts in the mornings within 30 days of such treatment. As is currently CHRB policy, ESWT can only be administered in clearly designated areas, and each treatment must be carefully documented. Furthermore, no horse that received ESWT elsewhere within the previous 30 days can be brought onto a CHRB-regulated facility without prior approval of the Official Veterinarian.  Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is otherwise permitted within the restrictions of the regulation. Violations of the regulation will carry a Category A penalty, which is  a minimum one-year suspension and $10,000 fine.
  • The Board permanently adopted the existing emergency regulation allowing the Board to suspend a race meet license when necessary to protect horses and riders.
  • Extensive public comments made during the meeting can be accessed through the meeting audio archive on the CHRB website. The written transcript for the meeting will be posted when available.

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