Changes of the rules regarding the use of the whip in races reserved for Amateurs Riders, Effective November 15, 2026
Changes of the rules regarding the use of the whip in races reserved for Amateurs Riders, Effective November 15, 2026
Following a joint review by the Stewards of France Galop and the Amateurs Riders Club, the rules regarding the use of the whip in races reserved exclusively for amateur riders are being updated.
Effective November 15, 2026—for an experimental period until February 28, 2027—the use of the whip behind the girth and/or on the horse’s hindquarters will be strictly prohibited. Only the use of the whip on the horse’s neck or shoulder will be permitted, with a maximum limit of four strikes, provided that the rider is not holding the reins in both hands.
At the end of this period, the results of these changes will be evaluated, and a decision regarding the remaining of this measure will be made in consultation with the relevant professional associations.
Leading up to the implementation date, there will be an educational transition period. Amateurs Riders will be formally cautioned if they use the whip behind the girth and/or on the horse’s hindquarters (the current guidelines for sanctions will remain in effect until November 15, 2026).
This experimental rule is part of a collective effort to highlight the purely sporting dimension of amateur races. For amateur riders—who do not compete in races on a regular basis, improper use of the whip very often disrupts the rider’s technique and compromises the harmony between horse and rider during the home stretch. Furthermore, statistics on the misuse of the whip show that, proportionally, such infractions occur more frequently in amateur races than in professional jockeys’ races.
Consequently, with the aim of encouraging amateur riders to use the whip in a manner that better prioritizes equine welfare, a program focused on prevention, education, and instruction will be integrated into training courses for amateurs. In addition, the rules regarding the use of the whip will be reiterated by the Stewards of Races at the start of each race meeting.
The changes to the use of the whip will be subject to the following clarifications:
any use of the whip behind the girth and/or on the horse’s hindquarters is prohibited;
any use of the whip on the horse’s shoulder or on the neck will be counted as an infraction if the Amateur rider is not holding the reins with both hands
Guidelines of penalties for infractions:
In conjunction with the implementation of the ban on using the whip behind the girth and/or on the horse’s hindquarters, a new, more stringent guideline of penalties will come into effect as of November 15, 2026.
The new guidelines of penalties in the event of breaching the rules will be effective from November 15, 2026:
5 to 8 strikes on the shoulder/neck without holding reins in both hands (limited to 4) :
From 1st strike given behind the girth and/or on the horse ’s hindquarters :
Above 8 strikes given behind the girth, on the horse ’s hindquarters or on the shoulder/neck :
Elbow above the line of the shoulder :
