Riccarton Park – Banks Peninsula RC 4 February 2026 – R7 – Kendra Bakker

Following the running of Race 7, the Respondent Class B Rider, Kendra Bakker, admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use prior to the 100 metres in “that when riding SPARTAN she struck her mount 7 times prior to the 100m.”

The Respondent acknowledged she understood the Rule, the nature of the charge and confirmed her admission of the breach.

Miss Bakker was assisted at the hearing by NZTR Apprentice Mentor, Jason Laking.

Rule 638(3)(g)(i) provides that in a Flat Race a Rider must not:

(i) strike a horse with a whip more than 5 times prior to the 100-metre mark (other than in a slapping motion down the shoulder with the whip hand remaining on the reins); or

Using the available race film, Stipendiary Steward Rebecca Haley, with the assistance of Chief Stipendiary Steward John Oatham, demonstrated that the Respondent struck her mount 7 times from near the 400m to the 100-metre mark. He added that Miss Bakker used the whip on a further 5 occasions inside the 100m, excluding her from the exemption under the Rules.

Miss Bakker explained that she just got carried away and was just trying too hard.

Decision

As the Respondent Miss Bakker admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).

Submissions for Penalty

Ms Haley produced the Respondent’s record, which indicated a clear record.

She stated the Penalty Guide for an initial breach of excessive whip use for 2 additional strikes was a $250 fine and submitted that a fine commensurate with the Penalty Guide be considered as penalty.

Miss Bakker elected to make no submissions in regard to penalty.

Reasons for Penalty

The Penalty Guide starting point for a breach of this nature is set out below.

For breaches of the Whip Rule prior to the 100m mark:

1st offence starting point $250 fine where there are 2 additional strikes

This Adjudicative Committee determined that there were no aggravating factors to consider, therefore no uplift in penalty was warranted.

It was therefore determined that an appropriate penalty in this case was a $250 fine.

Conclusion

The Respondent Miss Bakker is fined the sum of $250.