The AJA are delighted to announce a fantastic new AJA membership package which now includes:

* FROM 1ST JULY 2007, AUTOMATIC WORLDWIDE INSURANCE FOR ALL EXISTING AND NEW AJA MEMBERS AGAINST TEMPORARY INJURY WHILST RIDING OUT OR HANDLING A RACEHORSE OR POINT-TO-POINTER, WITH INCAPACITY BENEFIT OF £100 PER WEEK PAYABLE AFTER THE FIRST 28 DAYS OF INJURY FOR UP TO 104 WEEKS. Please note that this cover does not include any capital benefits (such as death) but simply offers financial assistance whilst incapacitated.

* In addition, the amateur jockey’s permit includes NEWLY IMPROVED RACECOURSE INSURANCE FROM WEIGH OUT TO WEIGH IN against injury, with incapacity benefit of £250 per week payable after the first 28 days of injury for up to 104 weeks, together with cover against medical expenses, permanent injury and death, as well as many other benefits.

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Saturday evening’s racing at Stratford-upon-Avon is eagerly awaited by us all when the champions of both the lady and gentlemen’s National Hunt amateur titles will be presented with a magnum of Bollinger champagne by our President, Mr Gay Kindersley.

With David England breaking his leg mid-season when leading the table, he has achieved an incredible feat by retaining runner-up position whilst forced to sit on the sidelines and watch his weighing room colleagues enjoying themselves on the racecourse. Thomas Greenall only recently overtook David’s total tally of 22 winners and is currently on 24 and has the title safe in his clutches. His next nearest rival is Alan Berry on 11, with Jamie Snowden also sidelined with a broken ankle when on 10.

The ladies title has not got such a certain result, although Rose Davidson looks set to retain her title with 9 wins to date. However, both Rachael Green and Jenny Riding are breathing down her neck with 7 wins each so nothing is certain, and a race is certainly on for the ladies runner-up slot at the least, with so few opportunities left for amateurs to ride over jumps between now and Saturday evening.

Good luck to everyone! And don’t forget, we will once again be celebrating the Champions great achievements with the AJA CHRISTMAS CHELTENHAM CHAMPIONS CRAIC which is on 15TH DECEMBER at CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE!

Richard Burton and Julian Pritchard are nursing broken bones after point-to-point falls.

Richard, reigning point-to-point champion and successful at Cheltenham and Aintree this year, has a broken ankle and will be in plaster for five or six weeks.

He was long odds-on to retain his national point-to-point title, having built a lead of 11 over James Tudor, but the gap was cut to seven at the weekend.James has seven more racing days in which to overhaul Burty.

Julian, Britain’s most successful point-to-point rider with 384 winners and awarded the AJA President’s Prize for 2005, broke the top of his femur while riding at Bredwardine on Saturday. His injury was plated and screwed on Sunday and he expects to be released from Hereford hospital this week.

The AJA send both of them get well wishes for a speedy recovery. We all eagerly await the return to the saddle of other top amateur riders injured this season, including David England who was leading the NH men’s table at the time that he broke his leg and has still managed to retain runner up slot - a magnificent achievement in itself - Jamie Snowden (broken ankle), Serena Brotherton (broken pelvis) and Harry Fowler (punctured lung). Hurry back everyone!

RENEWAL OF AMATEUR RIDER’S PERMIT

Amateur Riders are reminded that Permits to ride expire on 30th June 2007. The Licensing Department of the Horseracing Regulatory Authority will be sending out renewal applications before the end of this month.

The Horseracing Regulatory Authority has directed that applicants for Amateur Riders Permits should be subject to a medical examination by their own doctors at the ages of 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and older (or if they reach that age during the next licence period). Upon reaching 50 years of age, they are required to be examined by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority’s Chief Medical Adviser.

Please note that if you are due to complete a medical report you will also be expected to complete a baseline concussion test prior to the renewal of your Permit.

All Amateur Riders who have had 25 rides or more will be required to complete a further Baseline Concussion Test prior to submitting your application.

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Please note that there have been several amendments made to the whips since the end of last year. There are now four versions of the new whip, which is now readily available via the valets, and the usual outlets and riders are permitted to change and customise handles.

The HRA formally introduced the new air-cushioned whip on April 1 and the rule has been enforced since May 1.

MODICATION OF “THE ORDERS AND RULES OF RACING”

The Horseracing Regulatory Authority has approved the following modications to the “Orders and Rules of Racing”, to take effect on and after March 31 2007:

H8 WHIPS - SPECIFICATIONS (RULE 149(ii))

Only whips which have been approved by a panel nominated by the HRA will satisfy compliance with Rule 149(ii). In approving any such whip, a panel will have regard to all the specifications set out below including the mandatory shock absorbing characteristics.

The whips have been designed, constructed and approved for either Flat or Jump races and are only to be carried in those races for which they have been approved.

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