I think you are judging the man without really knowing him there Nass. We are talking about his career, his job, his livelihood here and I think all of us have experienced situations where some beaurocrat has enforced what seems a silly rule onto us. Maybe you people in Britain are just used to being told what to do and how to do it in every walk of life. I'll give the Germans this - if they don't like something they get out there and protest. If people don't stand up to authority you end up with the USA where everyone is scared to fart out of line.
Oddy, thank God someone is on my wavelength RE Britain and our culture of following, rather than leading. We have voted for 2 parties for nigh on a century. That tells you everything you need to know. We stand and take s*** all of the time without doing a jot about it. The rules have been changed due to a public perception. Should we not be looking to explain to the public how everything works?
It should be pointed out that, in both cases, he hit the horse a total of 6 times against the allowed total of 7. Problem was those 6 were in the last furlong of the race. Absolute bollox
Yes I understand where he is coming from- but he knew the rules and he broke them! So he should be punished, yes it is a bit strong and they shouldnt be so harsh! but why does he feel he can break them, no1 else in the race got a ban because they didnt break rules surely he learnt from the 1st time!
Correct Woolcombe, but I think him quitting is simply that he doesn't agree with the new rules, as opposed to do with any bans.
I guess that is the key thing, some will think he is doing it because of his opinions on the rules, others like myself will think he is doing it to try and get a chance to get on Strong Suit at the Breeders Cup
If he hated the new rules so much, why didn't he just quit as soon as they came into force? He does it now after two bans and it comes off (fairly or unfairly) more as sour grapes.
It is quite funny Dexter- it does seem to be in abit of choas tonight! but I can imagine all 40 riders given out bans after the national! Some of them will prbly be hoping they fall after the 1st fence just not to get one! LOL
If someone cannot adapt to a change in rules in any sport then maybe its better that they are not in the sport. can the guy not count or something? count to 5 sir...1,2,3,4,5,6... oh **** :'( wah wah wah wah its a stupid rule wah wah im going home.
If they do revoke the ban and he can ride in the breeders cup - will be intresting to see if he gets his license back, im with you nass I think he is doing it for that reason!
Anyway Im off for the night- Will carry on this tomorrow- happy debating tonight- cant wait to read some of the posts tomorrow!
Can't wait for the day some of you are beaten a nose and the jockey has only whipped the horse 4 times
Just everything, racing is becoming more of a farce everyday, this could overshadow their great Champions Day idea! Did the whip rule really have to be changed so drastically? IMO no. It was a publicity stunt and it has backfired badly within the space of a few days. Where they go from here I have no idea.
Instead of causing huge unrest in the sport with these new farsical rules, why not tackle a real problem like prizemoney?
The introduction of "the rules" had absolutely nothing to do with horse welfare which beggars the first question..Why? Who exactly do these rules serve?...What is the point of them?..How do they enhance our sport? The answer is placate the uninitiated and present a cosmetically enhanced view of the sport to such individuals. Just because it is a new rule does not mean it is right,just,correct and most importantly necessary.To simply say ..."he knew the rules..." is frankly puerile and simplistic. The sanctions are ridiculous and proving unworkable with jockeys barely riding out out in some instances and patently scared to use maximum effort.This charade has been active for four days and has aready created headlines about jockeys being banned for "excessively beating" their mounts. Nice publicity? The new directive could have been trialed with greater parameters,perhaps suspended sentences to start with and certainly with an more equitable incremental system for inducing enforced holidays.The number of strikes and their designated time of usage is completely ludicrous.Just my opinion of course. I would have loved to see the the BHA go on a charm offensive to educate the public about horse welfare during a race and the dynamic of the air cushioned whip,rather than produce headlines like the one we will read tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how the foreign riders adapt to these rules and will the same lack of latitude be afforded them.Will they care if they get 5 days? A bigger acid test will be the rich racing on Saturday and the reaction of/to the jockeys in a driving group race finish. This subject,as this thread has shown,has created a wide and diverse range of opinions.One thing is for sure,the rules are here to stay in one form or another and compromise and dialogue is the only way forward.
