Stewards’ Tip of the Week – Use of the Riding Crop/Whip
- Stewards should review the riding crop or whip rules in their jurisdiction concerning specifications (length, weight, construction) and proper use. The ARCI Model Rules 010-035-A.(1) & 010-035-E.(7) should be considered in adopting, amending or interpreting the existing rules.
- ROAP Board supports the Model Rule with the recommendation that riding crop/whip strikes in succession be limited to 3 and the “chance to respond” be 2 strides.
- Once the rules and, if necessary, an interpretations directive approved by the Commission are finalized, the Stewards should post these rules prominently in the Jockey Room in English and Spanish with pictures of an approved riding crop/whip.
- The stewards then should meet with the jockeys to discuss, review video of examples of misuse of the riding crop/whip, establish due process steps for alleged rule or directive violations and set a scale of penalties dependent upon extenuating circumstances.
- The Stewards and Clerk of Scales should inspect all of the riding crop/whips at the beginning of the race meet and on a daily basis thereafter to make sure the riding crop/whips conform to that jurisdiction’s specifications.
- The Outriders should be instructed on steps to inspect riding crops/whips during morning training.
- The Stewards should watch the parade to post warmup in order to observe misuse of the riding crop/whip as jockeys should not be allowed to use the riding crop/whip during the post parade or warm-up.
- After the race is declared official, the stewards should immediately review the entire race for instances of misuse of the riding crop/whip that potentially violates the rules, regulations or stewards’ directives.
- The regulatory veterinarians (state and track) observing the horses after the race and in the test barn should immediately report to the stewards any welts, cuts or abrasions that in their opinion were caused by the misuse of the riding crop/whip. Pictures should be taken and forwarded to the stewards along with a brief written statement by the veterinarian.
- The offending jockeys should be immediately notified, and if deemed appropriate, noticed to appear before the stewards to review their performance on race video replay and show cause why they should not be afforded a hearing and possibly sanctioned according to the previously announced penalty scale.
- The stewards should keep a written record and database incidents of riding crop/whip misuse for future reference and data research in comparison to inquiries into riding infractions, claims of foul, disqualifications and injuries to the horses during the race.