The BHA has scrapped plans to restrict the use of whips in the forehand position, with several key elements of the whip assessment to be revised following a consultation over Christmas.
The Professional Jockeys Association has lobbied the sport’s governing body to drop controversial plans to only use the whip in the backhand position, highlighting concerns about the welfare of riders who have adapt to the proposed changes. Senior driver Harry Cobden is among many critics of the rule, calling it “ridiculous”.
Of the 20 recommendations proposed by the BHA, section four covers two major areas of change, with whips now allowed in the forehand and the number of strokes allowed reduced to one per code. The reductions weren’t part of the recommendations originally announced over the summer, but jockey players will now be restricted to using the whip seven times when jumping and six times on the ground — down from, respectively. eight and seven.
Disqualification will still be in effect if a racer uses a whip over the four-time limit, but due to the reduction in the total number of hits the threshold is now set at 11 and 10, respectively. Another big change, an increase the severity of the bans, seen by the regulator as a reinforcement of one of the original proposals rather than a change.
In a statement released on the morning of January 4, the BHA said: “This change follows additional concerns raised by jockey players over the past few weeks, including some information. not aired during the consultation or technical discussion period. This includes feedback that some jockeys with shoulder or collarbone injuries may find the use of whips only in the backhand difficult. than.
“After a period of dialogue between the BHA, the PJA and the jockeys, the BHA board of directors met to consider follow-up representatives from all parties, before deliberating and agreeing on amendments to the rules. occlusion.
“The goals of the 20-recommendation pack include developing rules that promote more deliberate and deliberate use of spanking to encourage and improve awareness of the use of whips. Board of Directors. The BHA has agreed that these goals can equally be met through the backhand-only legislation, or the threshold reduction and penalty increase announced today, when combined with the full package of measures announced. in the summer.”
“In the view of the BHA board of directors, these changes do not reflect a dilution of the rule-change package, but rather a method of achieving the same results through a different approach,” the statement stressed. another approach.”
Bedtime for the new rules will begin on January 9th by leaps and bounds, with full implementation on February 6th. The respective dates for apartments are February 27th and 27th, respectively. March.
The new whiping rules are the result of what the chairman of the advisory steering group David Jones called “an extremely thorough consultation” in 2021 and 2022, which he said was “arguably the most thorough”. implemented by the BHA in connection with any particular regulatory reform in the past”.
But explaining the changes announced on Wednesday, he said: “We are committed to listening to our participants and as further views and information come to light very late in the day. and upon the conclusion of that process, we are obligated to review it and present appropriate representations to the BHA board.”
BHA President Joe Saumarez Smith said: “Through the views made over the last few weeks and presented to the BHA board, it has become clear that the backhand-only rule can make it difficult for a player to play the backhand only. However, in considering the change, it is essential that the BHA board does not do anything to diminish the outcome of the whip report.
“As a result, the BHA board agreed to these further changes, which address issues with the backhand-only rule, but retain the goal of making the use of whips more tolerable to the public. , thus helping to protect interaction with the sport between our present fans and Now we hope and expect to see these new rules respected and a clear change in the use of whips will be made between our riders and the riders here.
“The Board also expressed the view that sport should strive to avoid any situation arising again whereby, after extensive consultation, more pertinent information will be brought to light. This point has been strongly emphasized to the PJA and we are pleased that the PJA has agreed to review its consultation procedures on this matter.”
Important changes announced to the new whip rules
- The use of forehand whips will continue instead of being outlawed. Initial suggestions would restrict it to backhand use.
- The allowed use of whips is reduced to six hits on the ground (down from seven) and seven in national hunting races (from eight).
- Penalties for excess use have been increased in addition to those announced last November, as well as penalties for abuse offenses. For example, the penalty for using an over-the-shoulder whip increased from a minimum two-day suspension to four days (all penalties double in Tier 1 or Tier 2 races). Similarly, using a whip without giving the horse time to react will be banned for at least four days (from two) and excessive force will be banned for five days (from three).
