And I'll also add that I think it's important to recognize the responsibility all riders have to each other. This incident could have been a LOT worse, and I believe two other horses and riders went down, and I have felt for quite some time that racetracks in general are too lenient in allowing apprentices to ride. I have seen some wildly irresponsible riders on the NYRA curcuit during winter meets over the years. I am shocked that the journeymen riders haven't made a stink about some of these riders in the past. A dangerous rider is like a drunk driver....he is a menace to far more than him or herself.
I am NOT saying this is the case here, one way or another, and I haven't seen this kid ride. But, while many accidents on the racetrack are unavoidable, some aren't. Was this one that was avoidable? I have no idea, and there seem to be differing opinions here, but I don't think it's wildly unfair to suggest that at least perhaps a very experienced rider may have changed the outcome.
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12-13-2006, 05:56 PM
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