A job for @gammalite? Applications open for new driving tutors

[Chief Stipe]

Applications open for new driving tutors

23 November 2023 , Job Vacancy

In a new initiative to try and upskill the country's drivers, Harness Racing New Zealand is on the lookout for three driving tutors.

"These are brand new positions and will cover the whole country, there'll be one up north, one in Canterbury and then a third in Southland," says HRNZ's Education Manager Natalie Gameson.

The roles will be part-time and on a 12-month fixed term contract, involving between six and 15 hours a week depending on location and workload.

"What we need is experienced and passionate people to not only guide the next generation of trials and junior drivers but also be available for all drivers requiring assistance."

"We have had feedback that there is a need for this sort of tutelage and we are confident it will be well received," says Gameson.

Experience as a former or current licensed harness racing driver is essential, as is an ability to be an effective communicator.

"It's a wide ranging role but crucially we want people who want to help others succeed both on and off the race track."

It's envisaged the new tutors will start their roles in the New Year.

To see the Driving Tutor Advert Northern click here

To see the Driving Tutor Advert Canterbury click here

To see the Driving Tutor Advert Southern click here

For more information on the roles, please contact Natalie Gameson at natalie@hrnz.co.nz

[Blackie]

Gammalite: “Get around to the death & increase your speed, loose line, don’t let anything past you, that way you can’t hit a wheel, don’t die wondering”.

Aussies….no surprises there.

[Gammalite]

6 hours ago, Blackie said:

Gammalite: “Get around to the death & increase your speed, loose line, don’t let anything past you, that way you can’t hit a wheel, don’t die wondering”.

Aussies….no surprises there.

hahaha 😁 love your work Blackie. The Tute's are over in No time with that great advice . hope they pay us well and I'll be able to get to the bar first for refreshments knowing the 'new gen' of drivers are in great stead and knowledge of how to get to the finish line first  !!  Cam Hart (winning the Cup last week) must be tuned into my podcasts already? 😂🤣

we pulled Natalie Ras off driving the mini-trotters a few years back in QLD  , then gave her a few wins (on 'Blacks A Fake' mainly) for a bit of confidence, then cut her loose on the Nz lads/lasses for a few years for a few more wins.... Has she backed off on them yet ?😉

[Brodie]

Not sure where the feedback came from that says that they need these 3new tutors for improving driving?

Personally reckon the driving skills are excellent by the time most of the drivers get to the trials track!

The juniors nowadays are extremely skilled and they compete with the ones that have been driving for decades!

Where I do believe there needs to be a new position created is a tutor to teach the HRNZ stipes a bit of common sense and get them out on the track so that they can have experience!

The officiating decisions and rules are a far bigger problem than the driving of our professionals, who work a damn sight harder than the stipes and reap less financial reward in general!!!!!

[Gammalite]

1 hour ago, Brodie said:

Not sure where the feedback came from that says that they need these 3new tutors for improving driving?

Personally reckon the driving skills are excellent by the time most of the drivers get to the trials track!

The juniors nowadays are extremely skilled and they compete with the ones that have been driving for decades!

Think you're right there mate. Upon viewing a lot of races it is hard to fault the endeavour of the young drivers these days. They dominate in NSW and Brisbane these days (20- 33 year olds) Grant now one of the last 'old boys ' 😆 that goes around regularly,  at about Mark Purdons age. 

You have commented on Carter D already, hardly puts in a bad one (drive)  . Sarah O'reilly on the Methven Cup winner early October,  was an outstanding 10/10 drive on American Me , who wasn't a favoured runner either,  but she drove so well that she won easily in the end by over 2 lengths against some of NZ's top drivers and some handy horses (including Franco Indie) . 

Cameron Hart only about 25 years old as well and won 4 Group 1's last year , and I'm losing count this year . Is like Tony Herlihy at that age. 

Quality is great I reckon in both countries . Don't think there's more you can tell them really ? 🤔 (as far as tutoring goes). just a case of keeping some quantity going as well as quality . 

A few more races for juniors only (like the first at Alexandra Park this afternoon) never hurt anyone and maybe just keep carding races like that helps out the youngsters. 

I see lately that Jeremy Young is using junior  Monika Ranger on the handy mare Lady Of The Light instead of Maurice .....and it's reaping big rewards too . and she's winning a few. Hope they win again tonight in race 6. Best of luck to them .... helps make a driver when they can get confidence like that with drives that can Win. 

 

[Brodie]

As I asked before, wonder where the feedback came from that has said that our drivers need further education by way of tutors?

Think ii is just BS, made up for some reason!

Are they saying that our drivers are not good enough and need more training?

I personally have not seen a single Junior out driving in a tote race in the past decade that should not be out there as they haven’t got the ability!

Juniors nowadays have had thousands of hours working with horses and driving on training tracks.

Then they have all the trials drives and have to be competent to even continue to drive at trials.

If they weren’t going to make it surely trainers wouldn’t be allowing them to drive a horse?

Fortunately there are only a very very small number of trainer/drivers that currently have the odd drive!

And these ones just wouldn’t improve with any tutor.

If it improves things a bit then all good but also HRNZ look into your own efforts in regard to your rules and officiating, as well!

[the galah]

1 hour ago, Brodie said:

 

Fortunately there are only a very very small number of trainer/drivers that currently have the odd drive!

And these ones just wouldn’t improve with any tutor.

 

Whether that is true or not is up to each person to decide.

Personally i'm sure its a sign that less people are participating in the sport and by thinking its a good thing, is ignoring that its part of the reason why harness racing is in decline.

one thing i've seen following harness racing over the years is the more you get smaller fields with only the same drivers competing in each time,the less exciting harness racing has become.

Take southland or auckland for example.The same 9 or 10 drivers drive in nearly every race.They all know each other,often work in the same stable,are related or travel to the races together.. Its only natural that they often try and look after there mates with tactical decisions they make during the running.

Also when it comes to oversight by the stipes in these regions it appears the relationships between drivers has an influence on the evidence they may give or penalties they may get.

For example read the stipes report from the last race at invercargill yesterday.It says "ramblin rover lay in rounding the final bend and raced in restricted room close to the sulky of Step it up a notch." In reality thats just a clever way of saying b barclay,the driver,took a tight gap and as a consequence got too close to the sulky of the horse in front of him,made conatct with its sulky and as a consequence hindered his own horse which went rough and then knocked over the horse on its inside.Anyone can slow the video  down to the point where you can see the contact. Both b barclays horse and the one to its inside checked because of a misjudgement be a driver. The horse checked suffered bad interference .

Yet the horse got the blame and a warning for doing something that it clearly didn't do.

And why did that happen. I would say its a case of the drivers concerned and the stipes concerned knowing each other and not wanting to be too harsh on them because of that.

The point is, i believe the reduction in numbers  of drivers or trainers is a bad thing,irrespective of whether they naturally don't have the same skills as the best drivers.Its just a sign that field sizes are down and with that the betting product not as appealing.

Edited November 24, 2023 by the galah

[Harrison]

1 hour ago, Brodie said:

As I asked before, wonder where the feedback came from that has said that our drivers need further education by way of tutors?

Think ii is just BS, made up for some reason!

Are they saying that our drivers are not good enough and need more training?

I personally have not seen a single Junior out driving in a tote race in the past decade that should not be out there as they haven’t got the ability!

Juniors nowadays have had thousands of hours working with horses and driving on training tracks.

Then they have all the trials drives and have to be competent to even continue to drive at trials.

If they weren’t going to make it surely trainers wouldn’t be allowing them to drive a horse?

Fortunately there are only a very very small number of trainer/drivers that currently have the odd drive!

And these ones just wouldn’t improve with any tutor.

If it improves things a bit then all good but also HRNZ look into your own efforts in regard to your rules and officiating, as well!

I think you’ll find the feed back for driving tutors has largely come from the juniors themselves, who are always looking to improve and would appreciate having a senior mentor! Always room for learning and growing & the better the overall quality of drivers we produce the better the spectacle, better turnover etc!
 

It’s a tough game to get started in & there is a need for mentors who drivers who don’t have a good support system in place can feel comfortable to approach. Its hard for the young ones, when they make a mistake and people are critical and they’re in need of advice so an impartial mentor can only be an asset going forward & if done right will be of huge benefit for those coming through. I don’t think in anyway it is saying those there aren’t hugely talented & it is awesome to see the likes of Sarah, Carter, Ben etc getting such great opportunities at the highest level and showing that they are up to it. But this is more for those starting out at trials etc and in the early years of their careers. Can only be of benefit to those coming through the industry. There’s also only so much you can learn at the trials, race day is very, very different and some struggle with the pressure both that they put on themselves & from others around them. I think constructive criticism and support are both important things for all drivers moving forward surely.

[Harrison]

52 minutes ago, the galah said:

Whether that is true or not is up to each person to decide.

Personally i'm sure its a sign that less people are participating in the sport and by thinking its a good thing, is ignoring that its part of the reason why harness racing is in decline.

one thing i've seen following harness racing over the years is the more you get smaller fields with only the same drivers competing in each time,the less exciting harness racing has become.

Take southland or auckland for example.The same 9 or 10 drivers drive in nearly every race.They all know each other,often work in the same stable,are related or travel to the races together.. Its only natural that they often try and look after there mates with tactical decisions they make during the running.

Also when it comes to oversight by the stipes in these regions it appears the relationships between drivers has an influence on the evidence they may give or penalties they may get.

For example read the stipes report from the last race at invercargill yesterday.It says "ramblin rover lay in rounding the final bend and raced in restricted room close to the sulky of Step it up a notch." In reality thats just a clever way of saying b barclay,the driver,took a tight gap and as a consequence got too close to the sulky of the horse in front of him,made conatct with its sulky and as a consequence hindered his own horse which went rough and then knocked over the horse on its inside.Anyone can slow the video  down to the point where you can see the contact. Both b barclays horse and the one to its inside checked because of a misjudgement be a driver. The horse checked suffered bad interference .

Yet the horse got the blame and a warning for doing something that it clearly didn't do.

And why did that happen. I would say its a case of the drivers concerned and the stipes concerned knowing each other and not wanting to be too harsh on them because of that.

The point is, i believe the reduction in numbers  of drivers or trainers is a bad thing,irrespective of whether they naturally don't have the same skills as the best drivers.Its just a sign that field sizes are down and with that the betting product not as appealing.

Also I tend to agree, the loss of the hobby trainer & driver has largely led to the demise of the sport in the North Island. While it may make for a better spectacle it has taken the grass roots, feel good, excitement out of a lot of our racing & left with two/ three big stables & a more “work” dominated industry than the social fun that attracts attention & young people towards the industry. Unfortunately it seems the South Island is beginning to follow in these foot steps, but hopefully something can be done to reinvigorate the industry going forward 

[Gammalite]

A great effort by the juniors in the trot art Auckland race 1 . only a neck between the first 4 odd as they all gave their charge , a chance at victory.  

wow only small fields tonight. see Harrison writing in here thread, but/because No Telfer runners are starting at the races . Why not? . the prize money is good .money for jam.

spose half the card is trots (4 races) so a bit more specialist approach is needed then. Bernie Hackett with only 6 trotters in across the 4 races ?? wonder what's happened to all the horses?

couldn't of knocked off for summer yet surely  lol...😂🏖️  best time of year racing now , and no-one there racing  ? we used to do 20 horses between 3 of us at a stable South Auckland once. Don't they train horses to get to the races anymore much? some of those North stables only have a 'handful' of runners any month these days. 

[Harrison]

3 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

A great effort by the juniors in the trot art Auckland race 1 . only a neck between the first 4 odd as they all gave their charge , a chance at victory.  

wow only small fields tonight. see Harrison writing in here thread, but/because No Telfer runners are starting at the races . Why not? . the prize money is good .money for jam.

spose half the card is trots (4 races) so a bit more specialist approach is needed then. Bernie Hackett with only 6 trotters in across the 4 races ?? wonder what's happened to all the horses?

couldn't of knocked off for summer yet surely  lol...😂🏖️  best time of year racing now , and no-one there racing  ? we used to do 20 horses between 3 of us at a stable South Auckland once. Don't they train horses to get to the races anymore much? some of those North stables only have a 'handful' of runners any month these days. 

We mostly have yearlings and 2yo’s at present. Will be stepping out about 12 at the trials tomorrow so will hopefully have a good sized team over summer 😊 just most our race team went south for cup week etc. and we raced a few at Palmerston North last night

 

Think the way the calendar has fallen a lot of teams are in a similar boat, better horses have headed south and so other racehorses had a wee break before their summer campaigns which is why we’re light on numbers tonight

[Brodie]

1 hour ago, Harrison said:

I think you’ll find the feed back for driving tutors has largely come from the juniors themselves, who are always looking to improve and would appreciate having a senior mentor! Always room for learning and growing & the better the overall quality of drivers we produce the better the spectacle, better turnover etc!
 

It’s a tough game to get started in & there is a need for mentors who drivers who don’t have a good support system in place can feel comfortable to approach. Its hard for the young ones, when they make a mistake and people are critical and they’re in need of advice so an impartial mentor can only be an asset going forward & if done right will be of huge benefit for those coming through. I don’t think in anyway it is saying those there aren’t hugely talented & it is awesome to see the likes of Sarah, Carter, Ben etc getting such great opportunities at the highest level and showing that they are up to it. But this is more for those starting out at trials etc and in the early years of their careers. Can only be of benefit to those coming through the industry. There’s also only so much you can learn at the trials, race day is very, very different and some struggle with the pressure both that they put on themselves & from others around them. I think constructive criticism and support are both important things for all drivers moving forward surely.

Good to have a perspective put on it from a younger one.

If it is needed then it must be a good thing but going to be interesting to see who gets these positions around the country?

Harrison you would know more than myself if these tutors have been asked for by the Junior drivers!

Do find it hard to understand why they are required as all juniors are able to tap into most of the senior horsemen for advice.

You have been in the top stables and not sure how you could have any extra advice from anyone else that you could benefit from.

You will do very well in the industry Harrison.

[Harrison]

1 hour ago, Brodie said:

Good to have a perspective put on it from a younger one.

If it is needed then it must be a good thing but going to be interesting to see who gets these positions around the country?

Harrison you would know more than myself if these tutors have been asked for by the Junior drivers!

Do find it hard to understand why they are required as all juniors are able to tap into most of the senior horsemen for advice.

You have been in the top stables and not sure how you could have any extra advice from anyone else that you could benefit from.

You will do very well in the industry Harrison.

It will be interesting to see who gets the positions, I hope there are some top horsemen who are willing to share their knowledge with those coming through 

 

No I don’t, I’m definitely one of many who have pushed for a better training program for young drivers over the years. I think if you don’t have a direct family connection: your boss is a top level driver etc there can be a lot to be learnt from others, and more knowledge is always better! I know when I began in the industry I found it hard to approach good senior drivers as I was shy/ wasn’t sure if it was a stupid question/ afraid to be judged that sort of thing and I know many other juniors feel the same way. I have been fortunate enough that I approached a very successful senior driver who has gone through my drives and given me a lot of feedback for the last 3/4 years and helped when I needed a confidence boost, or criticism when it was required. But it is difficult to find the right person that isn’t too harsh and causes a lack of confidence but is a very good teacher and not afraid to give advice at the same time. I also think it plainly shows which juniors have good mentors and do their best to learn and better themselves & which juniors have very little support. 
 

I also think it’s good for juniors to have a driving mentor outside of their bosses as obviously sometimes bosses have vested interests and can be more upset if a drive goes wrong, so it can be more difficult to approach/ have a conversation you can learn from without it being harsh or feeling uncomfortable about the topic 

I can only see it as a good thing if they are able to implement the right people. It is then up to the young people to use this service to their advantage. And I think you can never stop learning in the industry. I have had two very good bosses and I also talk to both my senior mentor and friends who are top level drivers, but you can always learn more from others and learning from the best of the best is invaluable 

Edited November 24, 2023 by Harrison

[the galah]

4 hours ago, Harrison said:

Also I tend to agree, the loss of the hobby trainer & driver has largely led to the demise of the sport in the North Island. While it may make for a better spectacle it has taken the grass roots, feel good, excitement out of a lot of our racing & left with two/ three big stables & a more “work” dominated industry than the social fun that attracts attention & young people towards the industry. Unfortunately it seems the South Island is beginning to follow in these foot steps, but hopefully something can be done to reinvigorate the industry going forward 

Its great you seem to have the insight to understand where the industry has come from and where it seems to be heading.

No doubt you were exposed to and acquired the love of the horse then got interested in harness racing through an owner trainer(i've read your grandad) and have since gone on to make a profession from the sport.

Being able to relate to everyone is a valuable thing.

Every small time trainer/breeder/driver that no longer participates,used to have a family who  followed their horses and often there were many extended family members who did so as well. Then you add workmates,sporting buddies,etc ,etc and you can sometimes have 20 or 30 people  not employed in the industry,with an interest in a race all stemming from the 1 owner/trainer.So for each 1 small time person that no longer participates,many other followers are lost.

So people participation,,at all levels and all levels of skills is what used to make the harness sport so strong.

The sport has many problems going forward. I used to be more optimistic. I tried to have the attitude that just enjoy my hobby as in my lifetime the sport will still be here and you can only control what goes on in your own we universe. But unfortunately negative impacts have filtered down to even my level and i sometimes struggle to see things positively.I'm not talking decisions made be administrators,just everyday things like the cost of living and even continued bad Canterbury weather. Does it ever stop raining here? 

thats the problem today,things seem to getting harder while the reward is reducing. I suppose it all comes mindset.Also fatigue does set in too as you get older. 

Personally i struggle to see where facilities to train from will exist in the future. There seems to have been no investment in the past in that and now land and the cost of setting up proper facilities makes it likely that only the rich can afford to do so. 

I hope you keep pushing your ideas. You seem smart. I can see your trying to make a positive difference and actually have been able to have some ideas implemented.Thats more than we on here will  achieve,but at least this forum does give its contributors a good chance to express opinions. Its good that you are happy to engage in conversations.

Edited November 24, 2023 by the galah