31-12-2014
It is with great sadness that the AJA announce the death of their Honorary Vice President, legendary amateur rider Bill Shand Kydd, who died on 27th December aged 77. A man who possessed immense charm, great courage and charisma, one of his greatest assets was his unfailing sense of humour.
Bill rode 45 winners under Rules as well as more than 100 point-to-point winners. His rides included winning the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham on FOREMAN in 1973 and he trained BLACK BAIZE to win the Kim Muir in 1971 (ridden by Lord Oaksey, then riding as Mr John Lawrence). Bill also rode in the 1966 Grand National. As a National Hunt breeder he bred HIGH BOARD, the dam of MORLEY STREET and GRANVILLE AGAIN, as well as BROWN WINDSOR, winner of the Whitbread Gold Cup in 1989.
Following a catastrophic injury whilst team chasing in 1995 which left him paralysed from the neck, Bill relished his role as Vice President of the Amateur Jockeys Association and played a very real and active part. In spite of his life changing injuries, he was always upbeat and never had a moment of depression; nothing illustrates more clearly his tremendous strength of character.
Bill also devoted much time and energy to raising vast amounts of money for the charity Spinal Research as well as Spinal Injuries Association. He helped to organise charity races, lunches and dinners, as well as tandem skydiving out of a plane at 12,000 feet. He also participated in the Great North Run no less than 3 times, being pushed around the 13-mile course from Newcastle to South Shields in a special lightweight wheelchair by a team of 4 runners made up of 2 friends, a godson and his son Caspar.
Frustratingly, Bill’s health deteriorated in recent months and he died peacefully at home the day after Boxing Day. His funeral is being held privately and a memorial service is planned in due course with details to follow.
04-12-2014
Many congratulations to Michael Legg who enjoyed success at Wincanton today aboard QUITE BY CHANCE riding for Colin Tizzard in the rewards4racing.com Chase, a qualifying race for the Jockey Club’s Grassroots Jumps Series. Always handy, Michael enjoyed a great jumping performance from his horse in only Quite By Chance’s third time over fences. Congratulations to all winning connections.
04-12-2014
Many congratulations to Jo Mason who enjoyed a winning ride for trainer Anabel Murphy at Wolverhampton on Monday aboard INDIAN SCOUT displaying fine front-running tactics and followed up for the same trainer/owner Ridgeway Racing Club combination with victory at Lingfield less than 48 hours later with CROUCHING HARRY!
02-12-2014
Champions Christmas Dance for the INJURED JOCKEYS FUND
SATURDAY 13TH DECEMBER 2014
CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE GOLD CUP SUITE
BLACK TIE * 7:30-1:30 * MUSIC & DANCING
tickets @ £50 include 3-course dinner
top class raffle
Amateur Champions Awards
TICKET HOTLINE: 01886 884488 or 01933 304778
TABLES OF 10 CAN BE RESERVED – BOOK NOW!
Bookings taken by phone or via e-mail: sph.oliver@btinternet.com
Please post cheques payable to AJA to
Crews Hill House, Alfrick, Worcester. WR6 5HF
HUNTERS LODGE HOTEL CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE
STABLE LADS ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE WALKING DISTANCE FROM GOLD CUP SUITE!! CURRENT TARIFF: SINGLE £35 TWIN £52.50 TRIPLE £70 QUAD £75 PLEASE CALL 01242 513345 TO BOOK.
23-11-2014
Many congratulations to LUCY GARDNER and BREDON HILL LAD (shown after winning at Fontwell last week) winning the first at Exeter today in an incredible finish, giving the partnership back to back wins. Having clattered the second last hurdle and looking held in fourth having hit a flat spot, Lucy managed to stoke up her horse who stayed on dourly to grasp victory as they neared the line and go on to score by 3/4 of a length.
17-11-2014
Many congratulations to Harry Bannister who enjoyed another winner today at Plumpton on their Pompadour Day (with the amateur riders’ hurdle that celebrates the twinning of Plumpton and Pompadour racecourses) for trainer Suzy Smith with LITTLE BOY BORU.
Despite getting squeezed for space three out, the partnership led from two hurdles from home where they took command and went clear from the last, easing down to the line.
Well done Harry, who has now ridden 3 winners from his last 4 rides in the last 5 days!
14-11-2014
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
THE AMATEUR JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN LIMITED
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2014 Annual General meeting of the AJA will be held on Friday 28th November at 12:00 noon at The Queens Arms Hotel, East Garston, Nr Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 7ET when the following ordinary business will be considered:
- to receive apologies for absence
- to consider and if thought fit to approve and confirm the Minutes of the previous AGM and to authorise the President to sign them
- to receive and consider the report of the directors
- to receive and consider the report of the Chief Executive
- to receive and consider and if thought fit to pass a resolution adopting the accounts for twelve months ending 31 December 2013. The accounts are now completed and copies will be available at the AGM. Alternatively, on receipt of a stamped addressed envelope, copies will be sent to members on written requesT
- to consider and if thought fit to pass a resolution electing directors. (a) The following director retires at the AGM in accordance with Regulations 26.1 and 26.2 and offers himself for re-election: Bob Davies (nominated by Philip Pritchard and seconded by Bill Shand Kydd). Should any other person wish to stand for election as a director he or she is referred to the provisions of regulation 27.
- to re-appoint Dr L A Cotterill as auditors and to authorise the directors to fix their remuneration
Dated: 14th November 2014
By order of the board
22-10-2014
A number of Amateur Riders appear unaware of the recently updated standards for Skull Caps that came into effect from 1 October 2014. To avoid any further problems of Riders turning up to racecourses without the correct standard of Skull Cap, please note the change detailed below and ensure future compliance.
Also detailed below is the updated change to Safety Vest standards, which will have a direct effect on all Amateur Riders riding in races after 1 April 2015.
Skull Caps
From 1 October 2014 all riders must have a Skull Caps meeting either of the following standards: EN 1384: 2012 and/or PAS 015: 2011. If a Skull Cap contains two labels, as long as one of the labels is the most up-to-date standard it will be acceptable. Any Skull Cap that is not labelled or only has an earlier dated standard will not be allowed. Any rider without a Skull Cap meeting either of the standards will not be allowed to ride and will be subject to a BHA fine of £140.
Safety Vests
The updating of Safety Vest standards is being conducted in two stages:
· from 1 October 2014 Safety Vests (other than Level 1) must carry the standard EN 13158: 2009
· from 1 April 2015 all Safety Vests (including Level 1) must carry the standard EN 13158: 2009
Please note that you have on-going responsibility as an Amateur Rider to visit the Rules of Racing website (http://rules.britishhorseracing.com) on a regular basis to ensure that you are up to date with the Rules and any changes since your last ride.
09-10-2014
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today confirmed the details of amendments to starting procedures for Jump races, which will be written into the Rules of Racing and come into effect from Monday 13 October.
The new procedures have now been ratified by both the BHA Board and Rules Committee after a constructive meeting between BHA, Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) and Aintree and Cheltenham Racecourses led to a series of proposals for the improvements.
Jamie Stier, Director of Raceday Operations and Regulation for BHA, said:
“The amendments to the procedures are not radical but are intended to provide greater clarity for both starters and jockeys involved in Jump races.
“The procedures have been simplified where possible, which was the aim of all parties involved in the constructive discussions.
“The revised Rules and procedures are being circulated to all riders in advance of Monday, and representatives from BHA and PJA will be at racecourses next week to speak to riders and ensure everyone is aware of the Rules and answer any questions they might have.”
The revised starting procedures are as follows:
• Unless unavoidable, races will not be started with horses coming directly from girthing pens to the start line.
• When girthing is complete, the Starter in charge shall mount the rostrum, even if there is still time to wait before the designated off time.
• When girthed up, horses will walk round on course some distance back from the Start. However, no start will be effected if the runners are too far back. It is envisaged that they will be approximately 25 – 30 yards maximum from the start line.
• There will be no goggles shout or any indication of the time remaining to the designated start time. It is the responsibility of the riders to be prepared, including having their goggles down, for the start.
• When the Starter, who will be at the top of the rostrum, wishes the field to walk forward he will raise his flag to indicate this and also give the normal voice instructions. The Advanced Flag Operator will simultaneously raise their flag which should also be visible to riders.
• Having raised the flag, only the Starter will issue instructions to the riders
• The field must come forward at a walk and no faster than a jig jog.
• The start will be effected by the simultaneous release of the tape and dropping of the flag when the field have approached the Starter in such a way that he is satisfied that the start will be safe and fair.
• Races will not be started if the field line up and commence to move forward before the Starter raises his flag or approach the start at faster than a jig jog before the tape is released and flag lowered.
• If the above happens, the Starter will wave his flag to indicate that the race will not be started and the field must pull up. The Advance Flag Operator will also wave their flag to enable riders furthest away from the Starter to understand that the race will not be started.
• Should the field be unable to pull up, the tape may be released for safety reasons but the Starter will continue to wave his flag and declare a false start which will be reciprocated by the Advanced Flag Operator.
• If the race is not started at the first attempt, the field will regroup at the marker poles and a standing start to the satisfaction of the Starter will be effected by tape and flag. There will not be a further attempt at a walk-in start and runners will not be sent back further than is necessary to regroup at the marker poles.
• Starters will report offending riders to the Stewards.
A two-week bedding in period has been agreed whereby any rider who does not conform to the revised Rules will be reported to the Stewards by the Starter, however the Stewards may not take punitive action against the rider where they believe their actions are not of wilful disregard for the new procedures.
