Amended Crop Rule To Take Effect Oct. 1 in California

[Wandering Eyes]

Beginning Thursday, Oct. 1, a more restrictive rule governing the use of the riding crop will go into effect in the state of California for all Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and mixed-breed races and also during training.

The revisions to California Horse Racing Board Rule 1688 are as follows:

• Riders cannot use the crop more than six times during arace, excluding showing or waiving the crop or tapping the horse on the shoulder.

 

• Riders cannot use the crop more than two times in succession (within the six-time limit) without giving the horse a chance to respond before using the crop again.

 

• The crop must be used in an underhanded position with the crop always at or below the shoulder level of the jockey.

 

• During training the crop can only be used for the safety of horse or rider.

 

• Absent mitigating circumstances, which includes but is not limited to use of the riding crop for the safety of horse and rider, if a jockey or exercise rider rides in a manner contrary to this rule, the stewards shall impose a maximum fine of $1,000 and a minimum suspension of three days. In trial heats, the suspension shall include the subsequent related stakes race.

 

• The jockey or exercise rider shall not be penalized if, in the opinion of the stewards, the use of the crop was necessary for the safety of the horse or rider.

 

According to the CHRB release, stewards will be meeting with the riding colonies at respective tracks to explain the rule and to field any questions. The release also states that the CHRB is recommending to the Board of Stewards that for a limited period of time, they should use the ‘mitigating circumstances’ language to employ the current (i.e. lighter) penalty structure “in order to make the transition to the amended rule less disruptive to jockeys, in particular, as well as all stakeholders and the wagering public generally.”

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