AMATEUR JOCKEYS TO BENEFIT FROM EX JOCKEYS’ ADVICE

19-01-2015

Amateur riders are being offered advice from former professional jockeys as part of the British Horseracing Authority’s Jockey Coaching Programme (JCP).

A series of workshops run by former professional jockeys are being put together. While initially set up to benefit conditional and apprentice jockeys, the BHA has recognised the importance of including amateur and point-to-point riders. An increasing number of young people – many having ridden in pony races – are now spending a season or two as amateurs before turning professional.

Gill Greeves, the BHA’s vocational training manager, says: “The very successful BHA Jockey Coaching Programme is growing from strength to strength with the recent launch of Regional Coaching Workshops. For an introductory period we are pleased to invite amateur riders to join this exciting new initiative – receiving expert tuition and advice from professional coaches can only benefit them, and I am sure amateur riders will gain by attending one of these workshops.”

The workshops will review and enhance technical and tactical skills, discuss fitness and nutrition and evaluate race-riding skills. A fee of £10 will apply.

Two dates for the JCP workshops:

27 January: British Racing School, Newmarket, (6 – 9pm) with Michael Tebbutt

5 February: Northern Racing College, Doncaster, (4 – 7pm) with Tom O’Ryan.

Riders should contact Jennie Durrans on 01638 665103 or e-mail jennie@brs.org.uk.

IMPORTANT URGENT MESSAGE TO ALL AMATEUR JOCKEYS

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.

CHANGES TO JUMP RACE STARTING PROCEDURES

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. 

IMPORTANT! NEW SKULL CAP STANDARDS FROM 1ST OCTOBER!

30-09-2014

As posted earlier in April this year, the BHA introduce new skull cap standards from tomorrow, 1st October. This affects all jockeys whether professional or amateur riding on the racecourse and will also apply to jockeys riding in UK point-to-points from 1st April 2015.  Also from 1st April 2015 new style body protectors will be mandatory both under Rules and on the UK point-to-point course for all jockeys.

Some shops are short on stock so do not delay in getting yourself equipped to avoid disappointment.

All skull caps will need to comply with the following standards so check your kite marks NOW:

• (BS) EN 1384: 2012 
• CSN EN 14572: 2005
• BS EN 14572: 2005
• PAS 015: 2011 
• or CSN EN 1384: 2012

We believe that the helmets listed below meet the new standards but please make sure you check this carefully when purchasing a new helmet!

• Champion Vent Air Deluxe

• Champion Euro Deluxe

• Charles Owen APM

• Charles Owen Adventura 2

• Charles Owen Pro 2 Skull

• Charles Owen J3

• KEP Italian Cromo

• GPA Jock Up 1

All skull caps will need to be labelled with the new kite mark and date standards to satisfy the BHA checks!

You will not be able to ride in a helmet without the correct kite mark but the BHA have agreed to a 2 week amnesty on issuing fines for attempting to ride with a skull cap that does not have the new standards.

Please also remember that revised body protector standards come into force from 1st April 2015.

Lingfield reschedule amateur race 16th July

09-06-2014

With the abandonment of racing at Lingfield on Saturday evening resulting in the loss of the amateur race, we are delighted to announce that following speedy negotiations with the BHA, Lingfield’s Clerk of the Course Neil Mackenzie-Ross has very kindly confirmed that an amateur race over 1m 2f 46-60 Handicap will now take place on 16th July.

We are most grateful to Arena Racing, Lingfield Park Racecourse and the BHA for making this additional race possible.

Need a new skullcap? Replacing a body protector? Buying a whip? Then read on!

29-04-2014

Please will all jockeys note that as from the new date of 1ST APRIL 2015 a revised BHA specification for skull caps, safety vests and whips will come into force:

Rider Manual (D)

SCHEDULES

Schedule 2 – Equipment

PART 1

Skull caps and safety vests

Design of skull cap

1. A skull cap is approved by the Authority if it meets (BS) EN 1384: 2012, CSN EN 14572: 2005, BS EN 14572: 2005, PAS 015: 2011 or CSN EN 1384: 2012.

2. The skull cap must not have a chin cup, cradle or draw lace.

3. The chin strap must pass under the jaw and be attached to the harness by a quick release buckle.

4. The skull cap must not have metal hooks.

Fitting of skull cap

5.1 The skull cap must be of the correct size for the Rider and must be correctly fitted and fastened.
5.2 The face harness must be correctly adjusted and the chin strap fastened at all times when the Rider is mounted on a horse.

Design of safety vests

6. A safety vest must conform to (BS) EN 13158: 2009 or CSN EN 13158: 2009.

7. A safety vest must not be

7.1 modified in any way, or
7.2 attached to the horse or any equipment carried by the horse.

PART 2

Whips

8. As regards a whip carried in a flat race

8.1 the maximum length (including flap) is 70 centimetres, and
8.2 there must be no binding within 17 centimetres of the end of the flap.

9. As regards a whip carried in a steeple chase or hurdle race

9.1 the maximum length (including flap) is 68 centimetres, and
9.2 there must be no binding within 23 centimetres of the end of the flap.

10. The minimum diameter for a whip is 1 centimetre.
11. The overall weight must not exceed 160 grams.
12. The contact area of the shaft must be smooth, with no protrusion or raised surface, and covered by shock absorbing material throughout its circumference such that it gives a compression factor of at least 6 millimetres.

13.1 The only additional feature that may be attached to a whip is a flap.
13.2 If a flap is attached, it must comply with the following requirements

13.2.1 the maximum length of the flap from the end of the shaft is 10 centimetres;
13.2.2 the maximum width of the flap is 4 centimetres, with a minimum width of 2 centimetres;
13.2.3 the flap from the end of the shaft must not contain any reinforcements or additions;
13.2.4 the flap must have similar shock absorbing characteristics to that of the contact area.

• Comes into effect: 01-10-2014

FEGENTRI 2014

28-12-2013

Thanks to recent agreement with the BHA regarding funding for international racing for amateurs, the AJA are delighted to announce that for 2014 Alice Mills and Freddie Tett will represent Great Britain within the Fegentri series.  Many thanks to all those amateur jockeys who  have posted in applications; as many different amateur jockeys as possible will be invited to enjoy trips to ride abroad in 2014.

Alice leaves for Oman on Monday to ride there on 2nd January which is His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said’s Majesties Day, Oman’s most prestigious day’s racing of the year.  Good luck to both our representatives for 2014!

If you are a licensed amateur jockey interested in representing Great Britain abroad but have not yet posted in your application form, you can download it here:  applicationformfegentri2014.doc

BHA AGREE FUNDING WITH AJA FOR NEXT 3 YEARS

24-12-2013

THE BHA and Amateur Jockeys Association (AJA) have announced a three-year funding agreement to run from 2014 to give amateur riders better financial help.  Under the deal a guaranteed £24,000 per annum will be provided for amateur riders’ training, while financial assistance will be offered towards riding overseas.

Under a previous 2011 deal a proportion of prize-money earned by amateur jockeys riding against professionals, money which until then went to the BHA, was handed to the AJA. However, funding fluctuated depending on how successful amateur jockeys were in any given season.

The new agreement guarantees a sum for training – which from 2014 will be administered by the BHA’s industry training strategy – and for the International Racing Grant, which helps with the cost of amateur riders racing abroad.

Amateur jockeys also receive support through the central insurance policy, one third of which is funded by riders’ licence fees, and from free physiotherapy at about 1,000 meetings.

BHA Media Manager Robin Mounsey said: “This commitment is designed to provide the AJA with a more consistent funding model and enables the organisation to plan further into the future, removing the uncertainty of the previous annual budgets.”

AJA Chief Executive Sarah Oliver added: “Guaranteeing training for amateur riders is greatly appreciated and is vital to the development of many of our members for both Flat and National Hunt racing.”

To read the full press release click here:

 http://www.britishhorseracing.presscentre.com/Press-Releases/BHA-and-AJA-agree-three-year-funding-commitment-468.aspx

REMINDER RE INJURIES – REPORT THEM!

15-10-2013

A REMINDER TO ALL LICENSED JOCKEYS

 

ALL injuries need to be entered onto the online injury management system as a matter of urgency and if the BHA Medical Department are not made aware of these injuries, they will not hold accurate records.  If a jockey then decides to return to race riding without checking with the BHA, there could be serious consequences if that jockey is not fully fit and in addition it will INVALIDATE your insurance!

 

REMEMBER:  ALL injuries must be reported to the Medical Department at the BHA. This includes injuries sustained whilst race riding abroad. Any queries, contact the AJA or the BHA Medical Department. 

A Jockey’s Must Read: Let’s take Brain Injuries Out of Racing

14-06-2013

Why Should I Report my Symptoms?

Your brain is the most vital organ in your body: Training or racing while still experiencing symptoms can prolong the time it takes to recover and return to racing.  Unlike other injuries, there may be significant consequences to ‘racing through’ a concussion.  Respective brain injury, when not managed properly and promptly, may cause permanent damage to your brain.  Symptoms may worsen with physical or mental exertion (lifting, reading, riding, etc.)