THIS week’s piece follows on from last week’s column, which featured contributions from a number of young riders who were taking the decision to make the switch to the professional ranks, and their accounts of their often limited time race riding in point-to-points.

Much discussion has been focused on the effectiveness of the 5lb weight allowance, among other issues affecting young riders starting out between the flags currently.

All of those riders questioned failed to acknowledge any tangible benefit that the weight allowance had brought to their own experiences between the flags. At the time of its introduction in advance of the 2011 autumn season, the 5lb weight allowance was the subject of much debate, with opinions differing as to its merits.

The positives which were put forward at the time sighted the additional opportunities which could come the way of riders eligible for the claim. However, setting the ceiling at 20 winners, under which a rider was given the 5lb allowance, has resulted in a large pool of riders receiving the claim, effectively diluting any significant benefit from it. A situation now exists, where the allowance is struggling to make much of an impact over five years after its introduction.

TRACK ALLOWANCE

Unlike on the track, where the opportunity to claim 7lb off a horses allotted weight in a handicap has a significant benefit and value, the feedback to the weight allowance, on the point-to-point circuit, paints a different picture. This is where connections are seeking to secure the best available rider to them, claim or no claim.

Tony Costello, the man who can lay claim to partnering the three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate to his first competitive success in a Belclare point-to-point, has a keen interest in the challenges facing young riders at present. His 15-year-old son Thomas has hopes of riding between the flags when coming of age, and Costello feels that more forward thinking is required in order to make a meaningful impression on the issue.

“I don’t think the 5lb claim has had much of a positive benefit for young kids getting started. We need more novice rider races with a proper structure to them. There should be at least one every single weekend, with a set programme of races to entice kids to get going. Like the hands and heels series that they had over in Britain years ago or the Martinstown races they have on the track here which has been a huge success.

“Racing, and not just point-to-points, has a big problem with staffing at the moment. Racing is just not on the radar of young kids anymore. The likes of rugby, football and hurling all have systems in place to entice kids into their sports directly from school.

“Racing is not in a position to get kids directly in schools, but there is nothing in place when you do get the kids afterwards.

“Lads are not going to muck out in the yard for years if all the rides that they are getting are horses without a chance who just keep pulling-up.

“There is a lot of talk around about horses of the calibre of Sir Des Champs, First Lieutenant and Aupcharlie running in opens this season. If we are going to have these horses running, why not at least restrict them to being ridden by young people at the start of their career.

“Many moons ago when I started out, I remember riding in an open and jumping upsides Philip Dempsey on Omerta who had won the champion four-miler at the Cheltenham Festival and went on to win an Irish National. The thrill from that alone was brilliant, just to be riding in a race with horses of that calibre at a young age.

“Imagine if some kid got the ride on Sir Des Champs in an open. That would be a picture for their bedroom wall. It is a tough game but it is the small things that keep you going and that would make some young rider’s year let alone their day.

“Why not even take it a step further and have a rookies’ series for riders who have not ridden a winner at the start of the season. Run between six to 10 races during the season and have an award for them at the end of the season. Young riders at the start of their career might bring family and neighbours to the races which might add to the crowd. The worst thing that you can do is try nothing new.

Irrespective of whether the authorities continue to persist with the claiming allowance in point-to-points, further efforts and a proper structure is now required for introducing and supporting young riders into the sport. There are a number of potential schemes available, with templates also in place in other jurisdictions, and serious thought and action are now required.