RDS incident upsets owners

Ponies and young riders

Frank Mulvihill

Instead of looking back at the wonderful event that was Dublin Horse Show this year, it is a pity that we find unhappy pony owners and riders still expressing their annoyance and anger at the carry on that was experienced in the Simmonscourt arena during the pony show jumping classes.

These persistent negative comments about the pony classes, however, cannot be ignored.

It appears that the row centres on what one owner described as ‘the over inspection of tack'. One official pointed out that pony owners were made aware in advance that a tack inspection would take place during each pony class.

This involved whips, bits, and spurs, but, on further investigation, it transpires that a complaint by one owner regarding the use of ‘weight boots' resulted in the boots of ponies being carefully inspected also.

In the words of one official ‘it was about some people bitching about others and looking for a level playing field'.

Some owners have been expressing annoyance that the boots of their ponies were inspected before and after they had jumped. The issue of weight boots is a thorny one.

It appears that their use was considered cruel by officials at the show and, consequently, they were not to be used.

Unfortunately, while the rules of the Show Jumping association identifies such things as particular whips, bits, and spurs which cannot be used in pony competitions there is no mention of weight boots.

For the uneducated, the intention with weight boots is to promote better use of the horse's hind legs when jumping. In some cases long tendon boots or brushing boots are used to accomplish the same effect.

Funny though, not once did I see any of the international horses being inspected as they entered the main arena, and, like me, you may have noticed, for example, that Belgian rider Joss Lansink's horse, AK Cumano Z, wore long boots on its hind legs, even in the Samsung Nations Cup.

So, what is allowed and what is not?

What is cruel and what is not?

If not written then rules become subjective, and it is here that problems arise. At the same time it must be acknowledged that written rules cannot encompass all misdemeanours. Several owners were upset about the insensitive manner in which one RDS official treated the riders.

On one occasion, in particular, an upset rider was leaving the jumping arena having had a less than perfect round when that rider was ordered to go for immediate inspection.

It was the manner in which this was done rather than the actual act that seems to be the issue here. Then, of course, there was the ‘whip' incident where the same RDS steward reprimanded a pony rider for using the whip once in the practice arena.

Use of the whip

Now, here again the rules of show jumping state that a whip, not more than 75cms in length and not weighted, may be carried and that it may be used up to a maximum of THREE times at any fence during a round, and that its use before commencing one's round will result in a caution or possible disciplinary action.

The use of the whip once in the practice arena is unclear, but the decision of the ground jury must be respected.

In this case the rider was spoken to and a hearing was called and held.

According to the trainer (also the parent of the rider) he was asked to leave the room on a number of occasions during the hearing. A decision was made to withdraw the rider's prize-money. It is to be assumed that it was the Ground Jury (Article 242.1N) who imposed the sanction and that the subsequent sanction (loss of winnings) will be paid to the SJAI (Article 242.2N).

The trainer concerned in this case argues that the whole affair was a storm in a tea cup and that following the ‘whip' incident the steward followed him to an adjacent practice arena where he was schooling a 128cms pony rider.

The steward complained that the fence being used here was not legal and a further reprimand took place. Then the pony involved in the whip incident was locked in its stable by the RDS and the owner could not gain access to it.

There is no doubt but that the policing of our sport is of utmost importance and that cruelty, if taking place, must be acted upon, but surely locking a horse's stable constitutes a risk to the animal since it cannot be watered, exercised or cared for?

Shop window

Despite congestion in the Simmonscourt, the RDS has recognised the importance of the Novice Pony class to the ordinary competitor and as a shop window for buyers. However, it is important that this, and all pony classes, are run to the highest of standards.

SJAI Pony Committee Chairperson, Maureen Bagnall, was unable to comment on these matters but has, through the General Manager of the SJAI, requested a report from the RDS.

The RDS, on the other hand, refuses to comment. There is no doubt but the solution to the events which unfolded in the Simmonscourt this year lies in diplomacy and proper communication between organisers, stewards and competitors.

Above all let's not forget our pony riders and the sport.