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Just catching up on the conversation and a few thoughts (sorry if redundant)
1) I cannot see how the IHRB can allow Elliott to take horses to Cheltenham. The image of the sport has taken a battering in the last year and they cannot allow this to be swept under any carpet. Future funding of the sport from Governments and sponsors will be in jeopardy if they do not impose a significant penalty. They need to act quickly (not their forte) and make a decision. The IHRB's hand is clearly being forced by the BHA but, given how slowly they have acted on drug issues, other enquiries, it is difficult to blame the BHA for having no confidence they will get this done on a timely basis.
2) As it stands there is insufficient time for the Assistant Trainer to get licensed. They could expedite but there is no precedent and it would be unfair on other new trainers who had to go through the process.
3) Then again, to force owners to move their horses in order to compete at Cheltenham hardly seems fair and also means that the punishment to Elliott has been handed out before the investigation has concluded (although teh facts seem clear)
4) Moving horses to another stable is not without its issues. For a start, every yard has its 'own germs' and it is often the case that newcomers ca get runny noses etc and be under par. It doesn't happen straightaway so may not be such a factor for Cheltenham (more for the other Festivals) but traveling from Ireland will compound any short term issues.
This is just very depressing and worrying. Everyone on here is passionate about the sport and the horses. I am hopefully overreacting but am very concerned that the sport i love is at a crossroads and have very little confidence in the leadership to make any significant difference and take strong and necessary strategic decisions. Another year when we can't look forward to Cheltenham!
1) I cannot see how the IHRB can allow Elliott to take horses to Cheltenham. The image of the sport has taken a battering in the last year and they cannot allow this to be swept under any carpet. Future funding of the sport from Governments and sponsors will be in jeopardy if they do not impose a significant penalty. They need to act quickly (not their forte) and make a decision. The IHRB's hand is clearly being forced by the BHA but, given how slowly they have acted on drug issues, other enquiries, it is difficult to blame the BHA for having no confidence they will get this done on a timely basis.
2) As it stands there is insufficient time for the Assistant Trainer to get licensed. They could expedite but there is no precedent and it would be unfair on other new trainers who had to go through the process.
3) Then again, to force owners to move their horses in order to compete at Cheltenham hardly seems fair and also means that the punishment to Elliott has been handed out before the investigation has concluded (although teh facts seem clear)
4) Moving horses to another stable is not without its issues. For a start, every yard has its 'own germs' and it is often the case that newcomers ca get runny noses etc and be under par. It doesn't happen straightaway so may not be such a factor for Cheltenham (more for the other Festivals) but traveling from Ireland will compound any short term issues.
This is just very depressing and worrying. Everyone on here is passionate about the sport and the horses. I am hopefully overreacting but am very concerned that the sport i love is at a crossroads and have very little confidence in the leadership to make any significant difference and take strong and necessary strategic decisions. Another year when we can't look forward to Cheltenham!
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