The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is undertaking a public survey to gather opinions on the usage of whips in horse racing.
The survey aims to collect feedback from industry experts and interested parties on their perspectives on the regulations governing whip use and the consequences for violations of these rules.
The initial phase of the survey is a 10-week online questionnaire, which concludes on September 6th. Anyone with an interest in the subject is invited to participate in the survey and share their viewpoints.
After thorough discussions with stakeholders, the recommendations will be evaluated by a whip advisory group composed of industry professionals.
The group will determine which recommendations are practical and present them to the BHA board for examination and approval in the early part of 2022.
BHA Chief Executive Julie Harrington (who assumed the position in August) stated: “In a time of evolving social and political attitudes, the future well-being of our sport will partly depend on our capacity to obtain social acceptance and the confidence of the public and lawmakers.”
The equestrian racing business must be prepared to hear and comprehend diverse viewpoints to flourish and guarantee its long-term success.
To cultivate a positive and open dialogue on this critical matter for our sport, we aim to signal this consultation from a viewpoint of perception and equity. We invite all those interested in this subject to take part in the consultation. This is your opportunity to be heard.
BHA Chief Regulatory Officer Brant Dunshea added, “We encourage all participants to make use of the supporting information within the consultation, which explains the current design of the whip, as well as the regulations and sanctions associated with whip use, to ensure anyone responding to the consultation is aware of the facts.
“This is a multifaceted issue, not a straightforward one. The consultation will encompass a wide array of topics concerning the use of the whip for encouragement, the rules surrounding the use of padded whips for this specific purpose, and the penalties for violating those rules.
“We request that all participants engage in this discussion in a constructive and courteous manner.”
In the previous year, the BHA established a steering group to collaborate on proposals to reform horse racing taxation.
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