SKILL OF RIDERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1022, 12 July 1930, Page 12

SKILL OF RIDERS

IMPROVEMENT NEEDED # COMMITTEE TO REPORT Special to THE SCy WELLINGTON, Friday. The present-day standard of race riding was discussed at the New Zealand Racing Conference today. The Wanganui Jockey Club introduced a remit urging that a committee should be set up to consider and report on a scheme to improve the riding of apprentices, either by way of forming a central school of instruction or by appointing an instructor to Attend at various* centres to advise and instruct apprentices. The motion was moved by Mr. J. R. L. Stanford, who considered official action was necessary. The president. Mr. O. S. Watkins, referred to the inspection that was at present being made of all apprentices by conference officials, whose report would be presented. It-was his personal opinion that tuition was definitely in the hands of the employer. Dr. McGregor Grant said that only experienced successful apprentices were put up by owners. Good might be done by reducing fees to apprentices. Mr. G. Gould suggested the setting up in the main centres of a committee of three trainers to instruct apprentices. Mr. J. McLeod (Taranaki) said many trainers were not competent to teach. Some action was necessary without any extra cost. Mr. J. S. McLeod (Hawke's Bay) thought the conference should take a more active interest in apprentices. Trainers should be asked to report every six or every 12 months on the lads. Explanations, where necessary, should be required as to why a boy was receiving no riding, either on outside or on stable horses. If they gave apprentices plenty of riding the standard would improve. There was no other way.

Mr. H. A. Knight said a school was not practicable. He favoured increasing the number of races for apprentices. The remit was altered in an amended form, simply urging the establishment of a committee to report on the scheme.