Isn't that the point though, she isn't an experienced race rider? And the horse was far from a steering job, she'd already fallen off him a couple of times in previous races and practice runs where he'd spooked at advertisement hoardings and other horses baulking him. Give the woman some credit for crying out loud!
I'd rather give the credit to Nina Carberry; for actually winning the race. And all the other amateurs who've given years to the sport. Sorry.
No problem with either of those sentiments, but you can also surely admire someone taking on something way outside their comfort zone and doing pretty well at it? Pendleton's fifth place takes nothing away from anyone else involved in the sport. If it was easy everybody would do it.
Fair enough, it's a bit churlish of me to denigrate her acheivement. And yes, it is a considerable acheivement. Not quite as considerable as the press are making it out to be though, and something most top class athletes could probably do. If she goes on to become a genuine NH jockey competing against the pros I'll take my hat off to her. And if her participation in the sport opens doors for female jockeys to get more opportunities then she'll have done some good. One last point; you say she's taken nothing away from anyone else in the sport. But there'll be an amateur close to the Nicholls yard who didn't get that ride.
Not sure about most athletes, you have to be blessed with a good seat and soft hands to get the best out of a horse, and she happens to have those. And fair enough on your last point too.
It was either that or, "if you had the chance of giving her a ride or some stable boy....." *sorry too*
I said that fairly off-hand. Truth is, I think he doesn't frequent Not606 as much as he used to. Can't make him come on here.
Ok, I succumbed, guiltily... ...to watching U-571 yet again. What a roller-coaster submarine film. Loved it. Had the Hi-Fi wick turned up to halfway, so the neighbours must have thought there were explosive things going on in my house. I'll have to apologise next time I see them. The tinnitus has temporarily suffered, but it was worth it.
An open vote allowing the public to name a new £200 million Royal Research Ship has thrown up a sensational frontrunner — the RRS Boaty McBoatface. The suggestion for The National Research Council’s polar explorer is currently beating the RRS Henry Worseley and the RRS David Attenborough. The vessel, which is 128 metres long and is due to be in operation in the Arctic and Antarctic from 2019, will carry up to 90 scientists and support staff. http://m.huffpost.com/uk/entry/rrs-...ef678a?edition=uk&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000067 You can vote here. But the site is getting hammered. https://t.co/Vv5Or05r9l
Doesn't matter how many times I watch replays of that Alonso crash, I make the same whimpering noise every time. Exceedingly safe cockpits or no, if he doesn't go wheels-in to the wall, it's an entirely different result.
