Wanganui JC 30 April 2022 – R2 – Bridget Grylls

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 2, the Respondent Ms Grylls admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that B Grylls directed her mount RAFFLE outwards when insufficiently clear of MI CAROL and GUCCI BELT which were tightened and unbalanced, also affected was ICONIC LASS.

Ms Grylls acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach.

Rule 638(1) (d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

Using the available race films, Stipendiary Steward Mr Goodwin demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Mr Goodwin said that after rounding the corner Ms Grylls, who was back on the fence, angled out looking for a run. When she did so she was not clear of Mr Hannam (MI CAROL) who was pushed outwards into the line of Mrs Allpress (GUCCI BELT) who was improving to the outside of Mr Hannam. ICONIC LASS, the widest runner was also affected.

In response, Ms Grylls said that it all happened very quickly and when she eased Mr Hannam out of the way, she was unaware that Mrs Allpress was improving to his outside. Her horse was travelling keenly and she had been held up in behind runners.

Decision:

As Ms Grylls admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submission for Penalty:

Mr Goodwin produced Ms Grylls’ riding record which indicated no previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months.

He said  Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range.

Ms Grylls said she had returned to NZ in July after riding in Australia and asked the Adjudicative Committee to consider her clear record.

She advised that she was about to begin a suspension for excessive use of the whip which would end on May 8th.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined Ms Grylls’ carelessness to be in the low range. She was held up for a run and attempted to ease Mr Hannam outwards just enough to gain clear passage. If Mrs Allpress had not been coming from behind Mr Hannam on his outside, Ms Grylls’ manoeuvre would have caused no issues. A 5 day suspension was adopted as a starting point, which conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide (as of 1 March 2022).

A 1-day reduction was applied to reflect Ms Grylls’ clear record and admission of the breach.

After consideration of the above factors, a 4 day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

Ms Grylls’ licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days commencing after racing on May 8th (when she has completed her current suspension), and concluding after racing on Saturday May 14th, 2022.