Rangiora HRC 20 November 2025 – R1 – Adam White

Following the running of Race 1, Property Brokers Rangiora Raceday Mobile Pace (Amateur Drivers), Advanced Amateur Driver, Adam White, admitted a breach of the Whip Rules in that, as the Driver of DON’T TELL JENNY in the race, he “used his whip free of the rein on one occasion in the run home”.

Rule 869 provides:

(2)     No driver shall during any race use a whip in a manner in contravention of the Whip and Rein Regulations made by the Board.

The Whip and Regulations provide follows:

3.1     A driver may only apply the whip in a wrist only flicking motion whilst holding a rein in each hand with the tip of the whip pointed forward in an action which does not engage the shoulder.

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Maja Szukiel-Deans, showed a video replay of the race as the field turned into the home straight. She pointed out DON’T TELL JENNY, driven by Mr White, the lead runner against the markers. Shortly after turning for home, Mr White activated gear, before striking the horse once, free of the rein. Mr White then regathered the rein and was compliant to the finishing line, Ms Szukiel-Deans said.

Mr White said that he activated the removable hood and the cord had got caught up as he regathered the reins.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

PENALTY SUBMISSIONS:

Ms Szukiel-Deans said that Mr White has had three drives this season and 77 lifetime drives. He has a clear record under the Whip Rules, she said.

This breach was low-level, Ms Szukiel-Deans said. She referred the Adjudicative Committee to the Penalty Guide which provides a starting point for a first, low-level breach of the Rule of a 2-days suspension or a $300 fine.

Mr White asked the Adjudicative Committee to consider a fine, rather than a suspension.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

Whip “free of the rein” refers to when a Driver is holding the whip in one hand and not maintaining contact with the rein in the same hand while using the whip – that is to say, the Driver lets go of a rein to strike the horse.

This breach was low-level by any definition. There was one strike, not forceful, free of the rein.

The starting point under the RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024), for a first breach, is a $300 fine or a 2-days suspension. Mr White’s runner won the race, but the Adjudicative Committee does not regard that as an aggravating factor, given the minor nature of the whip use.

Mitigating factors are Mr White’s frank admission of the breach and his clear record, albeit from a small number of drives. Those factors warrant a small discount from the Penalty Guide starting point, which the Adjudicative Committee sets at $50.

CONCLUSION:

Advanced Amateur Driver, Adam White, is fined the sum of $250.