THE TURF

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19048, 27 June 1924, Page 11

THE TURF

TURF FUTURES Jun* 28—Hawk*’* Bar Hunt Club. July 2—Dannavirke Hunt Club. July 9. 12—Wellington H.C. July 19—South Canterbury Hunt Club. July 24—Waimate District Hunt Club. July 24. 26—Gisborne R.C. WOMEN JOCKEYS IN THE FUTURE (By Universal Service). LONDON MAY, 3. One of the few professions still barred to women in these days is that of the jockey. The Jockey Club will, not so far give licenses to women riders. Races, however, have often been ridden by women, and usually « won by them, on the screen; and Miss Violet Hopson, well known to filmgoers, tells what it feels like. BY VIOLET HOPSON (Famous British Film Actress) There are, of course, numbers of people who will say that the woman jockey should never be. Perhaps fifteen or twenty years ago the majority of people would have declared that It was indecent and unbecoming to a woman, because in those days there were very few women who had the courage to break through the strict rules of convention to ride astride. The modern woman is more free and athletic—she plays football, tennis and golf, and a few have taken up boxing and fencing. Her encroachment of what used to be solely man’s field of sport is marked, and it is to her credit that she has proved her ability and stamina in beating some of the opposite sex on their own Then why should she not have the opportunity of testing her skill on the race course! EXCUSE ABSURD. The excuses that are likely to lose their heads at a critical moment is absurd—frequently women maintain their self-control far better than mere man. I suppose I have had more to do with race horses tlian the majority of women who are not either owners or trainers, and during my visits to the various racing centres the number of women who daily ride race horses to exercise has surprised me. Personally, I consider that these women should be given public recognition. Day in and day out they carry on the most strenuous yet delicate work behind the scenes. They help very materially in training the horses for big and small events, and yet they are not given the chance which frequently comes to the stable lads—that of qualifying as a jockey if they are proved capable. The woman who takes a practical interest in racing does not want any concessions granted to her. If it were put to her. I feel sure she would be prepared to meet the recognised jockeys under exactly the same conditions as their fellow men enter for a race—and she would prove a thorough li sport." Let me relate some of my adventures as a woman jockey on the screen. My very first unpleasant experience as a film horse woman was during the photographing of one of my first racing pictures. My mount was very high-spirited, and it was a very hot day; we had several times reh)arsed the scene, which consisted of my bringing the animal at a hand gallop to within a few feet of the camera, turning him and pulling up short. The rehearsals went off satisfactorily, but when the scene was about to be filmed, the horse suddenly took fright, and instead of being able to pull him up I found myself travelling at a breakneck speed past the camera. DRAGGED 200 YARDS. All went well until the animal saw a piece of paper lying on the ground; he. swerved sharply to avoid it, and threw me, My right foot remained entangled in the stirrup, and I was dragged some two hundred yards before I was released. I remained hors de combat for over a month, and immediately I could venture out I was obliged to ride the same animal for rhe same scene. It was an awful strain, but I refused to be beaten, although I must admit I tremble even now when I think of what that accident felt like —2OO yards! It seemed like 200 miles! When we were filming for another racing film I had one of the biggest thrills I ever had. We were filming “trials” on Epsom Downs. A fullout gallop was in progress, and we were to pull up as soon after passing the camera as possible. Well knowing the horse I was riding, I could tell he was in a recalcitrant mood—and I was right. He refused to be pulled up, and, gathering tremendous speed, he rushed past it, like a whirlwind. I made sure a terrible accident awaited me. As we whizzed past, the trainer yelled something at me, but I failed to hear what he said. REMARKABLE STRENGTH. The strength of that animal was amazing. I felt I was powerless to stop him, and after covering five furlongs at the highest speed at which I ever travelled on a horse, I was almost exhausted. Suddenly there appeared from a hedge a sheep that had strayed from a neighbouring field. This was too much for my mount, although, he had taken no notice of “reflectors,” cameras and motor cars used in the filming. He swerved violently, throwing me headfirst to the ground, where I lay unconscious till I was picked up. I regained consciousness two hours later, and was once more laid up for several weeks; and owing to the fact that the film had to be finished within a certain time, this scene was cut because I was not well enough to appear in those which followed immediately afterwards. Several well-known jockeys have said to me after the end of a.day’s filming on the racecourse: “I’d rather ride in 20 ordinary races than in one film race.” The women have come through the test well—unfatigued and fit for more—and yet the woman jockey is not an accomplished fact. When will the members of the Jockey Club help the modern woman to gain acknowledgement in the world of jockeys!