THAT SCHOOLING LIST

NZ Truth, Issue 1149, 8 December 1927, Page 13

THAT SCHOOLING LIST

Should Be Referred To As The Black List

New Zealand leads the way m reform — sometimes. For instance, we have what is called the schooling list.

IN their wisdom members of the Conference decided that there was only one way to deal with unruly horses, and that was to put them on "the list." Such list of course had to be given a name, and the schooling list it was. The "schooling list" is a misnomer — it should be referred to as the "black list." Once a horse is reported to the Conference for unruly behavior his name is included on the schooling list, and from that date it is only eligible tostart m jumping races. Perhaps that is where the schooling comes m, but outside of work over hurdles there is no opportunity presented owners of listed horses getting any schooling — at least any official schooling. An owner is left with one of two options. He can put the unruly one m a hurdle race and hope for the jumping to cyjieten him down, or he can get some shepherd to take him and hack him round the hills chasing the jumbuck. That very often has the desired effect. But should an owner wish to give his

horse barrier exercise he is generally at a dead end. Starters who follow their trade throughout the country are very seldom on a course during morning work, so the only chance of getting any barrier practice m is for the owner to get up and do it himself. That is if he has been fortunate enough to get the necessary gear loaned to him. Ever since the so-called schooling list was instituted there has been much criticism of its working. Horses that were bad were placed on it, but for every one that went on ten were passed by. It would be a game person indeed who would state that there are not horses racing at present more flery and dangerous than some of those at present on the black list. To date there has been very little equity m the business, and it is noticeable that the battler has got it m the neck most. Big men with unruly horses have been allowed to go on with them. Of course there has been no distinction shown — oh, no! It is just a matter of bad luck, not I judgment.