G'day Punter!

Sign In Register

In this Discussion

Who's Online

0 Members & 228 Non Members
careycarey    6,424 posts
edited November 2012 West Australian Racing
something that i had never thought about.
i have just spent some time looking at damien's photos.
and wow, just wow!
i didn't realise that so many riders wore spurs.
and it does not take much thought to realise how this could affect horses from one run to the next

some questions for those that know more than i.

would a 'horseman' wear spurs in the first place?
do the riders need permission to use spurs, or can they just wear them whenever?
if they don't need permission, then why don't they?

i am guessing they can just wear them whenever they feel like, so it's not much of a jump to realise how this works to the detriment of the poor old punter.
the people that collectively pay everybody's wages, but continually are being touched up and treated contemptuously.
+1 -1

Comments

  • goosegoose    1,638 posts
    Definitely needs to be addressed in gear changes some horses would definitely go better with spurs on them is there a good reason why it is not in gear changes?
    +1 -1
  • darkshinesdarkshines    2,837 posts
    You'd have to be a fool not to agree with careys post.

    Regardless, only a matter of time before the RSPCA is all over it like a lampshade. If no-one else looks out for punters, maybe they will

    :)>-
    +1 -1
  • thefalconthefalcon    20,486 posts
    there were/are "certain" spurs worn at trackwork....
    on race day the psychological aspect takes over...if you get my drift....
    +1 -1
  • RodentRodent    7,470 posts
    I get your drift. Psychology works well in Kalgoorlie.
    +1 -1
  • RIORIO    14,902 posts
    do you mean now Falcon?? Or in the past??? I thought that got stopped a few years back..like 10 or more.. Maybe that was when they were banned on the east coast and I could be getting confused again??

    I'm a regular race goer, regularly in mounting yards and had never noticed before....
    +1 -1
  • TheDivaTheDiva    13,248 posts
    I found this:

    AR.88. Riders may use spurs provided they are blunt and of a type approved by the Stewards. [amended1.8.01] L.R.88 (a) In accordance with AR.88 a rider may only use ball type spurs with a minimum ball diameter of 10mm. (b) Any rider using spurs of a type other than specified in part (a) of this rule commits an offence and may be punished.
    +1 -1
  • thefalconthefalcon    20,486 posts
    i am talking of days past, rio.
    never happen now.... 8-X
    +1 -1
  • careycarey    6,424 posts

    i saw that diva.
    that they are allowed is not in dispute, i am more interested in if there in any control in how they are used.........

    "today we don't care about the result, no spurs required thank you very much."
    "next week is the go, you will be requiring them then."

    falcons post is interesting too. would horse lovers do that to their pride and joy?
    +1 -1
  • Piston_BrokePiston_Broke    2,047 posts
    the fact that a rider turns his heel in to kick and his knee moves away from the saddle when using spurs says it all. Most of the time it's a waste of time using them because when a rider rides with his toes in,you cant kick properly anyway.
    +1 -1
  • darkshinesdarkshines    2,837 posts
    Precisely - most of time it is a waste of time - but how is the punter meant to know on the odd occassion when it isn't a waste of time???
    +1 -1
  • Piston_BrokePiston_Broke    2,047 posts
    edited November 2012
    after the race ;)

    +1 -1
  • careycarey    6,424 posts

    piston, if the spurs are basically meaningless as you say, then why are so many of the riders wearing them?
    surely they would know if they are getting any reactions from their use?

    +1 -1
  • TheDivaTheDiva    13,248 posts
    the reason its a topic col is because someone wrongly accused a rider on the weekend of wearing illegal spurs.
    This was not the case......
    +1 -1
  • Piston_BrokePiston_Broke    2,047 posts
    they only help as a reminder ;) if they help at all
    +1 -1
  • Piston_BrokePiston_Broke    2,047 posts
    carey said:


    piston, if the spurs are basically meaningless as you say, then why are so many of the riders wearing them?
    surely they would know if they are getting any reactions from their use?

    would they?

    +1 -1
  • careycarey    6,424 posts
    Piston_Broke said:

    carey said:


    piston, if the spurs are basically meaningless as you say, then why are so many of the riders wearing them?
    surely they would know if they are getting any reactions from their use?

    would they?

    is that a question or a statement?

    and do the stewards have to be informed of their use?
    +1 -1
  • raconteurraconteur    610 posts
    The Diva said:

    I found this:

    AR.88. Riders may use spurs provided they are blunt and of a type approved by the Stewards. [amended1.8.01] L.R.88 (a) In accordance with AR.88 a rider may only use ball type spurs with a minimum ball diameter of 10mm. (b) Any rider using spurs of a type other than specified in part (a) of this rule commits an offence and may be punished.

    Diva...you found the rule and it plainly says that to be approved, spurs must have ball of 10mm diameter - you have told the forum that the rider was wrongly accused of wearing illegal spurs.
    A photo (IMO) of the spurs in question shows they Don't have a ball at all (IMO) - and are longer than normal (IMO). I simply pointed out my observation(IMO) - ( whilst leaning over the fence at the mounting encl.) - no accusation.
    You could clear the matter by displaying a photo of the spurs which were used (and you suggest conform to the rule). and let everyone make up their own mind.
    But then again, that might not suit you to do that.(IMO)
    +1 -1
  • RIORIO    14,902 posts
    .If you spotted that from over the fence rac you were really on the ball..no suggestion that you didn't, but as written above i had never even realised they were being worn!!!

    Whoever had the photo's can they be re -posted on this thread..or should that question go to Diva???
    +1 -1
  • careycarey    6,424 posts
    rio from looking at damien's facebook photos yo can see many riders wearing them.
    it's not usually obvious how big the ball is though, though some looked very small to me, but they may have been ok.
    also wa has the local rule stipulating the size of the ball as a min. of 10mm, victoria for one does not have that rule, so i assume you can legally have any size over there?
    +1 -1
  • TheDivaTheDiva    13,248 posts
    raconteur....you are asking me to post pictures to prove your point? I have better things to do.
    Second, before I posted, i checked with the stewards so I could nip your accusation in the bud and they have no problem with those particular spurs.

    that should be end of argument.
    +1 -1
  • TheDivaTheDiva    13,248 posts
    stuff it.....here is a photo proving you are wrong. You can apologise any time you like and maybe think about taking up a position as an AFL umpire.
    daniel staeck 3.jpg
    316 x 421 - 37K
    +1 -1
  • RIORIO    14,902 posts
    Diva... =)) =)) =))

    Now onto whether they should be dealt with as a bit of equipment and the punters told if they are on or not???
    +1 -1
  • ICEICE    683 posts
    They should make a rule on how long whips are??
    +1 -1
  • Piston_BrokePiston_Broke    2,047 posts
    ICE said:

    They should make a rule on how long whips are??

    there is

    +1 -1
  • goosegoose    1,638 posts
    Exactly Rio that was the original intention I thought who cares about last week.
    +1 -1
  • RIORIO    14,902 posts
    whether they make a difference or not is irrelavant, the fact is they are put on and taken off. It surely has to be treated as a bit of equipment and the punter advised accordingly.

    In all seriousness, am i missing something here????
    +1 -1
  • Piston_BrokePiston_Broke    2,047 posts
    you don't see them used overseas as much as in Aust

    +1 -1
  • ICEICE    683 posts
    Piston_Broke said:

    ICE said:

    They should make a rule on how long whips are??

    there is

    Thats the point
    +1 -1
  • rot8inrot8in    1,881 posts
    love a jockeys take on them
    +1 -1
  • RodentRodent    7,470 posts
    Everyone knows about Pavlov's dog. Same principal could apply to spurs. If the rider is wearing spurs it may remind the horse of something used on it in training, something used to make it go faster/try harder........

    jig.jpg
    267 x 188 - 9K
    +1 -1
Sign In or Register to comment.