DRAFT Project #3
Public Argument
Jason M. Wittler
No Known Copyright Restrictions
PERCEPTION vs. REALITY??
Since 1854
there has been an ongoing debate over the use of riding crops in horse racing.
Depending on which side of the fence you are standing, it’s called a crop,
whip, stick, popper, noisemaker. Regardless of which connotation you prefer,
the riding crop is a source of contention that has plagued the sport and will
continue to do so until effective rules and regulations are put in place. For
nearly 40 years horse racing topped the charts as the most popular sport in
America. Rivaled only by baseball and boxing, horse racing captivated the
American people and enjoyed widespread success. In the late 1960s a slow
decline began that continues to this day. Though the use of a riding crop is
not the only issue frustrating the sport, it is one of the most publicly
perceived. There must be a study done that focuses on the use of the riding
crop. Such a study will allow definitive answers that are necessary for any
resolution in this debate. Furthermore, new standards for jockeys need to be
incorporated. Through a simple step-by-step process the industry has the
ability to limit the use of the crop ensuring all other available options are
attempted first. Lastly, there needs to be true effect with the punishments for
rules violation. Having the rules and regulations is not enough! With these
changes the industry can start moving closer to culture beliefs and values our
audience requires.
Public view of current
changes
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| Boyer, Sam. "Ridden for the Ribbon: Thoughts on Racing" Date unknown. via Pinterest. Labeled for reuse. |
In 2015 we
have seen a push from within the industry to limit to the use of the riding
crop. Many states have adopted new rules and regulations governing the use of
the crop including California, Minnesota and New York. Local regulations have
also sprung up at tracks in Maryland, Louisiana, Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
There is indeed a movement moving in the right direction but public perception
is slow to change. Quite often these new changes are seen as ploys of
misdirection or wholly inadequate. Blogs and chat boards are still filled with
naysayers and oppositionists and, unfortunately, getting past all opinions to
the facts of the issue is a difficult task. To change public opinion there
needs to be a concerted effort by the industry that strikes directly at the
perceived unethical practices. By demonstrating our willingness to make real
change and enforce that change we can once again gain the acceptance of our
audience.
Desperate need for in
depth analysis
Through better understanding of the
impact and reactions of riding crops we as an industry can begin to formulate long-term
plans that ensure we are providing the safest and most humane treatment we can. Across all organizations there is a
desire for the welfare and safety of the athletes. It is this singular topic
that nearly everyone can agree upon but how we get there is gray and muddled.
There has never been an unbiased study into the facts surrounding the use of a
riding crop on a race horse. The industry relies upon time-worn theories and
opinions of horseman that may very well be true but that will never be enough
to alter public opinion. Very few people would doubt the necessity of a riding
crop at the starting gate. Training helps to ensure a horse’s exit from the
gate but the jockey is the one altering/adjusting that course. The riding crop
is a tool that helps ensure the safety of the athletes and riders. This is not
where the public and industry outcries come from. It is the last 400m of a race
that everyone is looking at. It is also during this time of the race that we
witness the vast majority of urging by jockeys that bring this issue to a head.
Jockeys going to the whip with a gusto that is extremely visible to everyone
watching. A study must be conducted that focuses on the issue of whether or not
the use of a crop increases an athlete’s performance at the end of a race.
Every horse is different and reacts differently to different stimuli. Just as
in humans, no two athletes will react the same way or have the same intestinal
fortitude to dig deeper for the last ounce of “umphf” they can muster. Does the
whip offer encouragement at these times? Does the fight or flight instinct,
which is the basis for the use of the crop, still exist in these genetically
engineered animals? Is there a point when the whip does no good whatsoever and
is just a jockey attempting to appear to be trying? If these questions can be
answered with validated proof then better, more realistic, rules can be
emplaced to ensure the welfare of contestants and the sport itself. The study
also needs to done in concert with all concerned parties to ensure unbiased
testing. There is no way to appease everyone but every attempt needs to be made
to capture and address as many issues as possible.
It all starts with the
riders
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| Unknown. "The racing industry's Jockey Coachi..." 2014. via jets-uk.org. Attribution 2.0 Generic |
The
experience level of the jockey also comes into question with this issue. Though
there are instances of veteran jockeys, often times highly publicized,
appearing to abuse the crop, it is often the newer jockeys that are being
penalized for misuse. There appears to be a culture with the up-and-comers that
by rigorously urging their mounts they will win. There is a need to educate
these younger riders and change the culture for any real, lasting effect upon
horse racing.Time will tell with the statistical analysis that will be done as
to where the continued violations occur. The newer jockey in the less profiled
races are not in the public eye and therefore do not gathering the audience
like the big races with veteran jockeys. Regardless of the level of
competition, education will be the key in bringing jockeys into a culture of
better horsemanship rather than abuse of the whip. Jockeys need to increase
their fitness levels. With better fitness the jockeys will be more capable of
using themselves as a tool without the need to constantly go to the whip for
correcting the horse. A progression of correction should be instilled in the
jockeys that relies on better horsemanship rather than jumping immediately to
the harshest of behavior modifiers. This will require the jockey to think ahead
and ensure the horse is ready and able to react to their commands. Firstly, the
horse needs to be balanced and in rhythm before any correction can be made.
Then, the jockey’s voice needs to be the
first tool used. Next, the jockey can proceed to squeezing and kicking with
their legs. This can be used for small corrections in direction and momentum.
Changing hands is another technique that cues the horse that demand is about to
place on them. Along with the hands, pushing emphasizes to the horse that it is
indeed time to find the next gear. Next, waving or showing the stick. This
technique captures the attention of the horse and brings focus back from
wherever it has wondered. Lastly, if the jockey is in contention, the whip can
be utilized within the parameters of the rules and regulations that govern the
state. This progression moves through 7 steps prior to going to the whip. If
none of the steps are effective in capturing the attention of the horse or
changing behavior in the way the jockey is demanding than there is a training
issue or personality issue that needs to be dealt with.
Make the rules better
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| Rector, Tori. "Justice Gavel" 10/24/2008. via Flickr Attribution 2.0 Generic |
In the past, the penalty for a
whipping violation was $200. This does little to discourage jockeys when they
are looking at a $12,000 payday. Publishing a new rule set to appease public
perception will not be enough to save the sport if it is not properly executed
and policed. The installation of new rules is a great first step. If properly
utilized and enforced, there could be long term benefits within the industry.
Even with proper enforcement though, the penalties must be adequate to deter
jockeys from violating them. Harness racing has been plagued with whipping
issues despite fairly strict rules in regards to the whip. There is also a
precedence of penalties being inadequate to deter violation. The advent of
suspension in addition to monetary fines is one of the most effective tools.
Multiple states are implementing this and results are starting to be seen.
Hitting the violators where it hurts the most is harsh but it is effective and
must continue.
Learning from others
mistakes/successes
Learning from the mistakes of other
industries is an invaluable tool in this instance. There is also the precedence
and rules that other countries have enacted. Using tools that have already been
tested and evaluated by others is a wise choice. Learning from their mistakes
and building upon their successes only makes sense. Countries like Australia,
England, France and Canada are dealing with much the same issue as we are here
in America. In some cases the U.S. is currently doing more for the welfare of our
athletes but there is always room for improvement. Taking a deeper look into
Sweden’s racing industry, which has federally outlawed whipping of any kind,
could provide insight into how the U.S. should proceed. In depth analysis of
Australia’s fierce battle over the riding crop could ensure we do not make the
same mistakes. It makes no sense trying to reinvent the wheel. Building on the
lessons already learned can result in quicker, better, and more effective
changes. But in the end, it falls back on public perception. If people view our
industry as a barbaric spectacle bordering on animal cruelty how can we
possibly hope to survive.
The road ahead
Those in the
industry think the public’s opinion of the ride crop is a misperception which
may very well be true. But perception is reality and if they believe the crop
is a tool of abuse, then it is. Other than the jockey themselves, the crop is
the only tool for behavior modification during a race. Doing away with it
completely is not an option for safety reasons so that leaves ensuring its use
is viewed as humane and not abuse. The new rules go a long ways towards making
the sport more publicly acceptable. How they are implemented and policed will
continue that. Our industry has been on a precipes for some time now and doing
nothing is obviously not the answer. If we want our industry to thrive and our
way of life to continue then we must evolve to stay current with audience’s
ethics and values. Without an audience, we will wither away into obscurity. The
only way to avoid this downfall is to embrace and tackle the concerns they see
within our sport.With further study, education, and increased awareness, the
industry can further provide the public with the grandeur and spectacle that
once made it the jewel of American sports and earned it the name, “The Sport of
Kings”.
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| Froggerlaura. "With California Chrome and Victor Espinoza in the winners circle of the 2014 Preaknes Stakes" 5/17/2014 via wikipedia. Attribution 2.0 Generic |
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