HY EVENTING, JOCKEY, RIDING CROP, WHIP - BLACK

Product Information

Currently any rider who commits three offences of any type is referred to the Independent Judicial Panel. However, on an interim basis, the rule has been changed such that: Thirteen-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls said he was "livid" with the timing of the changes, so close to Cheltenham.

Whips are carried first and foremost as an essential aid to horsemanship and safety. This is consistent across all equine activities which involve exertion on the part of the horse. Further objective research into the effects of the whip should be commissioned by the BHA, and efforts made to explain its design, use and regulation to key audiencesWhen a whip is used to keep a horse in contention or maintain a challenging position before the race’s closing stages. Mr Saumarez Smith said the BHA “now hopes and expects to see these rules being respected” and “visible change in whip use”.

The distance in the race the whip was used and the number of times it was used was necessary and reasonable. Should the whip be used four times or more above the permitted level, the horse and rider will be disqualified from the race Among many others to comment on the poster, Steve Millar wrote: "Must be the virtue signalling Julie Harrington’s directive “Young people don’t come racing because of the whip” what a load of drivel. BHA chairman Joe Saumarez Smith added that the BHA previously endorsed the “clear set of objectives set out by the whip consultation steering group in the summer”.

Rules and limits on use

The rule has now been changed such that should a rider be disqualified from a race due to excessive use of the whip they will also forfeit their riding fee. But some highly competitive races such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup have seen winning riders given subsequent bans for breaching the regulations. Disqualifications will not be applied on race day, meaning they will have no effect for betting purposes. Supporters of the whip say it is a crucial tool for a rider, helping with safety and is intrinsic to the business of thoroughbreds competing against each other.

A BHA review in 2011 concluded that "the whip stimulates a horse and should not cause pain", although the independently chaired Horse Welfare Board said four years ago that "scientific evidence relating to the welfare impacts of the whip remains inconclusive". Republic & Northern Ireland: Ireland has a rough guideline of 12 whip strikes during a race. A race steward can allow more if he chooses. Only 5 in the last 50 yards are to be used.

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Racing's leaders do not believe use of a foam-padded whip is primarily a welfare issue, but accept there is a negative perception among some sections of the wider public.