TURFCALL points out the following serious problems in dire need of change:-

(a) 2001 Meagre levels of pay - 2013 Government dictates that highly skilled horsemen are only to be paid the minimum wage.

(b) 2001 Scant recognition or reward - 2013 political ignorance dictates these highly skilled horsemen who are still locked into the British politcal poverty trap

(c) In many cases nil to poor accommodation

(d) 2001 - Long hours and very little time off - 2013 top horsemen to be treated like slaves unrecognised for their skills

(e) 2001 - Inconsistent levels of training for youngsters starting out - 2013 no backup support in place, no true career structure in place, no wage structure for skills achieved.

(f) 2001 - No obvious career development structure - 2013 polical ignorance denies a true Equis Zone facility in a pioneering global sport

(g) 2001 - Trainers left to fund the lot whilst other sections of the industry take all the benefits and cream off most of the profits - 2013 political theft and negligence on a massive scale in a highly dangerous sport

(h) All skilled work riders, yearling and two year old handlers and riders at the top of their profession, at present seriously overworked, and grossly underpaid, unrecognised in the main for most of their fantastic achievements. Now in an ever decreasing minority due to being unable to continue to live on such poor pay. To ask them further to take the learners under their wing allotted to the trainers teams for work experience, must surely be not only unacceptable, but grossly unfair to all parties including the horses. 2013 political ignorance and negligence beyond all belief

2001 The British Horseracing Authority and the politcal British Government have failed to address any of this. WHY?

2013 - 12 years on, still nothing happens! We are told that this is a multi billion pound industry that cannot afford to pay a fair wage for the true horsemen's skills achieved. More Fob Off, Rip Off, Lip Service, Power Abuse and Corruption at the Top Table