Chief Stipe

HISA and Jockeys' Guild Announce Groundbreaking Jockey Mental Health Initiative with Onrise Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 3:38 pm | Back to: Top News Updated: October 10, 2024 at 3:41 pm Sarah Andrew photo Edited Press Release At the conclusion of the first day of the International Jockey Concussion, Safety and Wellness Conference, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), in collaboration with Jockeys' Guild, announced that they are launching a major initiative to support jockey well-being. As announced by HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus and Jockeys' Guild President Terry Meyocks, HISA and the Guild have established a groundbreaking partnership with Onrise, a leading athlete-specific mental health company, to provide jockeys with easily accessible mental health care in their primary language. As part of HISA and the Guild's ongoing commitment to improving jockeys' overall well-being, the partnership with Onrise will offer a confidential platform with access to mental health support through the insights and experiences of trained retired athletes, licensed therapists and psychiatrists. Jockeys can move between different levels of care or utilize multiple services simultaneously. Through this partnership, jockeys can access reliable mental health support and guidance, helping to reduce the stigma of seeking help and fostering a culture of openness and care within the sport. Onrise currently partners with the MLS Players Association, Inter Miami CF, the US Women's National Team Players Association, the Premier Lacrosse League, and all three women's professional volleyball leagues in the United States, among others. These jockeys join more than 15,000 athletes who already have access to Onrise services. All qualified jockeys will be eligible for Onrise's services at no cost. “Jockeys face immense physical and mental demands—and their mental health is critical to their long-term success and well-being,” said Lisa Lazarus, CEO of HISA. “Jockeys are highly skilled professional athletes who confront unique stressors. By partnering with Onrise, we are providing jockeys with a safe space to connect with professional athlete peers who understand their experiences, offering them valuable support as they navigate the pressures of this demanding career.” “We are proud to partner with HISA and Onrise to provide jockeys with a crucial resource for mental wellness. For decades, Jockeys' Guild has worked tirelessly to advocate for the safety, health, and well-being of our athletes, and this partnership marks another important step in that mission,” said Terry Meyocks, President and CEO of Jockeys' Guild. “Through this collaboration, we are offering our qualifying members the opportunity to connect with athletic peers who truly recognize what they're going through, helping them take care of their health in a way that has never been done before in our sport. The Guild greatly appreciates HISA's commitment to the mental wellness of jockeys.” “Onrise is privileged to partner with HISA and Jockeys' Guild to support athlete mental health and overall wellness in this critical time for horse racing,” said Kimberly Quigley, MD, FABPN, Chief Executive Officer at Onrise. “We are thrilled that HISA and Jockeys' Guild have entrusted Onrise to provide mental health care and support for these jockeys and appreciate both organizations' commitment to ensuring that their athletes have the tools that enable them to succeed on and off the track.”

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority has recommended a delay to the start of the racing season at Turf Paradise due to concerns about the safety of the track surface. A HISA statement released Thursday evening read, “Based on recent reports and assessments from racetrack surface experts, concerns raised by on-site racing participants, and first-hand observations of HISA staff, HISA is not confident that the main track racing surface at Turf Paradise is ready for racing to begin as currently scheduled this Saturday. Therefore, out of concerns for the safety of horses and riders, HISA has communicated a recommendation to Turf Paradise and the Arizona Department of Gaming to delay the start of the upcoming meet and cease all training and racing activities on the main track racing surface until such time as adequate adjustments and preparations have been made and the track has been retested to verify conformance with industry standards. HISA will continue to monitor the situation and may initiate an enforcement action if necessary.”

Well it looks like Cup week will start off as the classical Nor'West hot and dry week! Which means three things - irrigation management will be a key, the track should be firm and there will be a great pip fruit season. Well mostly the week before... There will be a brief south west change and rain mid week and then fine for the last day on the 16th. https://metvuw.com/forecast/forecast.php?type=rain&region=nzsi&noofdays=10

I guess on a Heavy 10 the horses won't slip!

MEETING NEWS Trentham Track Inspection Trentham Track Inspection After significant rain during the week the Trentham track is particularly heavy with more rain predicted prior to race start time. The Track Manager, Regional Track Advisor and the RIB will inspect the track early Friday afternoon. An update will be provided after that.

Suggest @Thomass you stick to the Lattes before you write long posts.

Well @Thomass I know you have started drinking down at Kohi already for the day but if you weren't ignorant you'd know how to spell ignorance. If you keep taking the piss like that you will be moderated.

LOL I did hear one Jockey say "I don't care what the tracks like I just want to ride"!

Probably officially one rating behind all day. Although 34.9 last 600m fir the Sarten isn't tardy on an off track.

Been pissing down at Te Aroha this morning. After the first rained again. Jockeys think it is a 7 or even an 8.

Who told you that they are not? Yes they must give trainers the opportunity but there is no obligation on trainers to avail of that opportunity. Is there?

Well track rated a Soft 5 still. Would appear that maybe the Te Aroah track renovation made an improvement.

It's a right not an obligation.

Well @Newmarket they didn't get what they wanted for it hence they are still racing it.

NZTR Soft 5 TABNZ Soft 6

Place holder there now called M7 Te Aroha Extra.

You're welcome.

Or the Stipes arrived on course just before Race 1 and left as soon as they abandoned the meeting forgetting to complete the report.

Again for @Pete Lane and @JJ Flash the orange and dark green colours mean rain.

@Huey you prattle on about the Waikato Mafia and the favoured few. Can you explain how these abandonments favour them?

These abandonments must be doing the Trainers heads in. Even the logistics of travel. Isn't there a plane due to leave to fly south soon?

Just for @Pete Lane and his sidekick @JJ Flash There is 25mm+ forecast tonight for Te Aroha and more tomorrow morning/early afternoon.

No odds available yet for the Te Aroha version of the Annie Sarten. 🤫

I don't think it is Lethal that is making it into a major. Afterall it isn't him that has made the decisions recently to abandon. I watched him at Hastings and he had minimal interaction if any with those making the decisions.

What if you moved it the other way? I.e. inside to outside?