RWWA Helps Lead the Way for the Next Generation
1 August, 2016
Industry
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) and the Pony Club Association of Western Australia (PCAWA) have hosted its first ‘Speed to Safety’ clinic at the Lark Hill thoroughbred training facility this month.
Speed to Safety is an educational riding program run by RWWA and PCAWA, where young riders are coached to ride track work to their graded cross country times in a safe environment and surface of a racecourse.
Training days will be held at local racecourses across the state, to provide an opportunity for all young riders in Western Australia to take part in the program.
Each training day also doubles as a qualifier for a final to be held on race day at Perth Racing later in the year. In order to qualify riders must ride track work as close as possible to the optimum time set in accordance to their graded times.
“RWWA is extremely proud to be working with PCAWA on this program. Speed to Safety not only helps to expose young riders to racing and the career opportunities that are available within the industry, but also provides them with a chance to build on important riding skills that can be applied across all disciplines within the equestrian world,” said RWWA’s Manager Racing Industry Training, Ron Fleming.
The Lark Hill clinic was attended by riders from the Peel, Baldivis, Murray and South Midland districts.
“It’s safe to say they (riders) all had a ball and came away with more knowledge and control of their horse in pacework which will benefit our riders greatly out on the cross country course” Dianne Ould, Peel Metropolitan Horse and Pony Club.
During the clinic the riders were taught fundamental skills and track work basics upon mechanical horses, which are use when training apprentice jockeys. Riders then headed out to the track where they began their 1000m run. Riders were required to count the seconds between every 200m mark in order to make the time.
Speed to Safety clinics will continue to be held across the state, culminating in the final at Ascot which is expected to be held later this year.
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