Full story here
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...rule-amendment
Excerpt:
As explained by the KHRC's general counsel Jennifer Wolsing, the amendment would allow the crop to be used in backhanded or underhanded fashion from the three-eighths pole to the finish line, allow a jockey to tap their horse on the shoulder in the down position as long as both hands are on the reins and on the shoulders of the horse, and would allow for the showing and waving of the crop in front of the horse. Wolsing added the amendment would also limit jockeys to six instances of overhanded use of the crop at anytime, the overhand use of the crop cannot go above the rider's helmet, and the rider would not be able to use the crop in the overhand fashion more than two successive instances without giving the horse a chance to respond.
The amendment would also update the penalties for a jockey that violates the riding crop rule. Stewards would be able to impose a minimum $500 fine, a minimum three-day suspension, or both if they believe the violation is egregious or intentional, Wolsing said.
A first offense against Kentucky's current whip rule typically results in a $250 fine.
Terry Meyocks, CEO and president of the Jockeys' Guild, was present at the virtual meeting and hopes the proposed amended rule can help create uniformity for riders across North America.
"We have been trying for the last several years to have a uniform riding crop rule in North America, which a rule would then encompass not only safety for the riders but for the horses as well; and also a rule that benefits our industry moving forward," Meyocks said.
"I think it's important to remember that a number of our riders—Johnny Velazquez, Mike Smith, Julien Leparoux, Javier Castellano, Joe Bravo—along with other members of the Guild and our staff involved were dealing with regulators, stewards, and track management throughout the country," he continued, "and having different rules in so many different various states is no good for anybody.
