THE SUNSHINE COAST NEWSPAPER COLUMN - A STORY OF LOSS, BRAVERY AND COWARDICE

By Graham Potter | Sunday, October 19, 2014

Graham Potter writes a weekly column for the Sunshine Coast daily. Due to demand from those having trouble accessing the paper these columns are now also published on HRO courtesy of the Sunshine Coast daily.

No words can adequately convey the impact of the loss of life in a racetrack accident.

Any time the worst case scenario unfolds we get a reminder of what every rider risks when they go out to play their part in an industry which could not exist without their brave involvement.

Everything, from the hours they put in on horseback, to the travelling to distant race venues, to the rigorous, demanding … dare I say, often health threatening diet and wasting regimes to which they submit their bodies, the bare layer of a jockey’s life, in general, is far removed from the glitz and glory which so often headlines and glamourizes the sport.

But they do it, mostly for their love of the horse, carving out an existence that is more a lifestyle than occupation.

Then that shocking reminder arrives to briefly bring the dangers that every horse and rider faces into sharp focus … until the next time.

The solidarity with which racing participants close ranks and support those close to the fallen rider is always gratifying. The tributes that follow are both heart-wrenching and heart-warming. The mood is one of sadness but there is also an underlying strength in play on which those most affected can call upon.

These reactive actions come from an industry in pain.

Previous encounters of this kind have little value in numbing the response. Although racing participants can steel themselves for such moments to some degree, it is just not something you can get used to as there is a suddenness and complete randomness to such tragedies for which there is no guaranteed safeguard in an environment where nobody is immune.

Family, friends, the local community as well as the greater national racing fraternity are all impacted to various degrees by a death in a racetrack accident as occurred, not once but twice, in Australia this week.

I sit, as one, with all of those people mourning these riders’ passing while acknowledging their achievements in careers so tragically cut short.

While I do so I sincerely hope that, in any reflection on the subject that follows, it comes about that jockeys are shown more respect (while they are alive) for their courage and commitment in facing the dangers entrenched in their business.

Yes, a little bit more respect would be good.

Carly-Mae Pye, Caitlin Forrest – may you both rest in peace!

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From bravery to cowardice.

Recently an animal rights group was rightly brought to heel after they posted an offensive photo on a billboard with an inane anti-racing message that merely confirmed their general ignorance on the subject in which they profess to specialise.

As despicable is the fact that on the group’s website (at the time of writing) you can’t find anybody willing to put their name to their cause.

There is a general ‘Contact-us’ section, but no name, while there is also a media enquiry form, again without being able to direct it to any particular identity … which, in stark contrast to the jockeys mentioned above, brings into question the commitment and courage of these people to stand up and be counted.

Like I said, the word cowardice comes to mind!

Enough said!

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