Shilpa

This week I would like to introduce you to a new arrival to the yard, Shilpa, who was bought at the recent Cheltenham sale by new owners to the yard John Powell and Tracey Sloan.  Shilpa has won a few races and is by the very good sire Medicean.  She is 6 years old and currently rated 94 over hurdles and 92 over chase fences.

Shilpa is here with a view to going barefoot when she has her break; her feet look as if they have been well shod and it certainly looks at this stage that we should be able to achieve this.  It would appear from her race record that she likes Good to Firm ground so it will help her a great deal to stay sound by being barefoot.

We are delighted with her and the picture below shows her lunging and getting used to the rubber rein.  She is a very willing mare and likes to please, so we are really looking forward to galloping and schooling her.  It certainly looks at this stage as if John and Tracey have brought a real bargain!  
For those of you interested in Shilpa and the newly formed racing partnership, please click on the following link: http://www.epds-racing.co.uk/. 

New Whip Rules

                I think the new whip rules are a step in the right direction and it might take a while for it to settle into place but I think if we fast-forward a year all will be fine.  It is human nature to not like change so there are bound to be some grumbling – especially from the jockeys.  We must face that we are in an entertainment sport and if it weren’t for the paying public then we would all be out of a job, so we have to take into consideration their views.

                Every day at the races you see horses being hit too much, especially when they are winning anyway or clearly doing their level best and going as fast as they can.  I hate seeing a horse hit when it doesn’t need it.  I think banning of the whip totally will come in time and I don’t agree with people that say you need the stick to correct a horse from running out or drifting etc.  Often, the best way to stop a horse going off a straight line or running out is to keep both hands on the reins.  As you hit the horse you take your hand off the reins and at that vital moment you loose contact with the horse’s mouth and then it is too late.

                Without the use of the whip there will still be winners and we will still all make a living as before.  I also think if a horse doesn’t want to race and needs more than the requisite smacks to do so then there is probably something physically wrong with it and sorting the problem out will probably want it to race more than a whip.  I’ve seen horses racing that clearly hate the ground, causing them to hang, and they are still being whipped. 

Let’s get back to basics jockeys and instead of complaining, learn the skills that get your horses moving forward for you!  There are plenty of horsemen out there that can get the best tune out of the horse they are riding without the whip!