- This topic has 15 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 3 months ago by
.
- Posts
Quote from the RSPCA:
"…jockeys have effectively been given a licence to beat them with impunity".That is clearly miles away from the truth.
Value Is EverythingThis was in the statement that Joe put up on the first thread last night.
It amplifies my point quite well that if that is interpreted by a mainstream journalist, then public opinion will be based on what is believed, regardless of how errant the information supplied to the public for them to reach their personal point of view. I know whose media relations I would back to win that confrontation.
As I posted on that press release thread, David Muir told me last night that the release was written by the RSPCA press office, not by him.
This reinforces my belief that the RSPCA want out of racing. David Muir is racing’s only defender at the moment, keeping us in the game (see http://wp.me/p1o7dN-FC)
As posted on another thread, here’s an extract from the RSPCA website:
The RSPCA welcomed and assisted the British Horseracing Authority enquiry. We hope that the BHA and jockeys will respond to the challenge and make substantial changes to the use of the whip in horse racing.
Otherwise, the British Horseracing Authority’s position in law could be questioned, and the future of British horseracing could be threatened.
If you think turning a very powerful friend into an enemy is a good idea, you must be mad.
As I posted on that press release thread, David Muir told me last night that the release was written by the RSPCA press office, not by him.
This reinforces my belief that the RSPCA want out of racing. David Muir is racing’s only defender at the moment, keeping us in the game (see http://wp.me/p1o7dN-FC)
As posted on another thread, here’s an extract from the RSPCA website:
The RSPCA welcomed and assisted the British Horseracing Authority enquiry. We hope that the BHA and jockeys will respond to the challenge and make substantial changes to the use of the whip in horse racing.
Otherwise, the British Horseracing Authority’s position in law could be questioned, and the future of British horseracing could be threatened.
If you think turning a very powerful friend into an enemy is a good idea, you must be mad.
With "friend"s like that Steeple, who needs enemys?
The recent quote makes it perfectly clear, they’re no "friend".I don’t care if the statement comes from David Muir or not Steeple. It is a statement from the RSPCA.
Fact is it is a lie and you can not allow organisations to blatantly lie about you just because they are "powerful". Unless you are saying powerful organisations should be allowed to write untruths?
I ask you Steeple: Is it factually correct to say "…jockeys have effectively been given a licence to beat them with impunity"?
May be you should ask your friend David Muir to withdraw that inacurate "press release" Steeple, or at least part of it. If they don’t then I’ll presume a lot more of their "propaganda" about other non-racing so called "animal cruelty" issues are made up too.
Value Is Everythingwell said Ginger . on this we are in total agreement , they are a disgrace , nobody can take them seriously
Joe , forget about that lot they sound more and more like Animal aid each day
Ricky
As I posted on that press release thread, David Muir told me last night that the release was written by the RSPCA press office, not by him.
This reinforces my belief that the RSPCA want out of racing. David Muir is racing’s only defender at the moment, keeping us in the game (see http://wp.me/p1o7dN-FC)
As posted on another thread, here’s an extract from the RSPCA website:
The RSPCA welcomed and assisted the British Horseracing Authority enquiry. We hope that the BHA and jockeys will respond to the challenge and make substantial changes to the use of the whip in horse racing.
Otherwise, the British Horseracing Authority’s position in law could be questioned, and the future of British horseracing could be threatened.
If you think turning a very powerful friend into an enemy is a good idea, you must be mad.
With "friend"s like that Steeple, who needs enemys?
The recent quote makes it perfectly clear, they’re no "friend".I don’t care if the statement comes from David Muir or not Steeple. It is a statement from the RSPCA.
Fact is it is a lie and you can not allow organisations to blatantly lie about you just because they are "powerful". Unless you are saying powerful organisations should be allowed to write untruths?
I ask you Steeple: Is it factually correct to say "…jockeys have effectively been given a licence to beat them with impunity"?
May be you should ask your friend David Muir to withdraw that inacurate "press release" Steeple, or at least part of it. If they don’t then I’ll presume a lot more of their "propaganda" about other non-racing so called "animal cruelty" issues are made up too.
No I don’t believe it’s factually correct or anywhere near appropriate to say such a thing, and D Muir has asked that it be redrafted before publication on RSPCA website.
What that line does show is that there are very strong feelings against racing within the RSPCA – arguably, all that has kept them in it so long is their patron and the position she’d be put in were they to withdraw.
What we in racing think of them as a body does not much matter – they still have a very strong hold over general public perception which takes in, sponsors, broadcasters,and other current supporters. This has been my key point throughout the debate although I think I’m close to declaring myself ‘out’ yet again!
Whether they put that statement on the website re-drafted or not is not the point though – I’d imagine (I haven’t checked so apologies if this isn’t true) that the statement has appeared in press releases sent to newspapers, broadcasting companies etc. and unless when re-drafted they issue a full apology on National TV, in the National papers etc. then it makes little odds to racing and the general public perception of racing.
Martin
They’re behaving like a small activist group in need of funds and exposure. They’re the bloody RSPCA and using the whip on horses is not cruel.
Didn’t one of our number who has been banned warn us about the RSPCA [to a certain amount of ridicule?]. Someone from the RSPCA knocked on my door on Saturday as I was watching the racing; they were given their marching orders pretty quickly….
Most people who mis-treat animals still deny it even in the face of hard evidence. So when someone says my friend was innocent it is because they dont want to admit they associate with someone capable of such actions.
While their views on horse racing seem to have a "political agenda", there are far too many people in this country get away with animal abuse and even when they are brought to account, the punishment they are given is farcical.
In a word Miss Woodford, yes, there are people on the RSPCA board who are only there as they have been voted onto it by Animal Aid et al who have encouraged their supporters to join the RSPCA, they know nothing about animals.
When an organisation get as big as the RSPCA it becomes a business and they will say and do anything to hit the headlines. The more controversy the more publicity, the more publicity the more money they collect.
Racing must start believing in itself. I’ve met hundreds of people in racing during my lifetime and for the best part the most loving and caring people towards animals you could ever hope to come across. There has been the odd case where trainers have been banned for cruelty in the past where the RSPCA has thankfully become involved but there is no real reason for them to become involved in race riding.
The BHA are perfectly capable of policing it without some idiot,s who know nothing about riding in a race, telling them what or what should not be done.
It’s time for racing to play the RSPCA at their own game and tell them publicly to GO TAKE A HIKE and mind their own damn business and concentrate on any real cruelty that may be going on behind closed door and stop using racing as a vessel for free publicity.
If that gets racing some bad publicity initially and provides a stage to talk from then good! With the proper representation that can easily be overcome and turned in racing’s favour by telling the whole world we truly care and invite people to come have a look.
It’s called PR I believe
Racing’s PR management is, if I am being kind, abysmal. Until it sorts this fundamental problem out it would struggle against a 6 year old with crayons.
The original quote in my OP has thankfully been rescinded. However, it damaged my confidence in the organisation. Although I agree we should keep them onside if possible, it should not be at all costs. They have to play ball with us too.
Hopefully their original statement had more to do with frustration in being left out of talks, than their actual beliefs.
Not that they should have been there. As the BHA said, RSPCA’s opinions were known. Had they been invited, in my opinion the RSPCA would’ve just tried to veto any compromise that didn’t have hard limits. They wouldn’t have given them a chance to work. At least this way they are obliged to sit and wait.
Hopefully stewards will be strong enough to maintain whip levels for both frequencey and force. Must admit, I believe changes to penalties have gone a little too far. Incentive to keep to the rules won’t be as strong now. Hopefully it won’t lead to horses being marked. If that were to happen expect trouble from the RSPCA.
Value Is Everything
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.