ERA and BHA launch ‘exchange programme’

Dubai: The Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) and British Horseracing Authority (BHA) have entered into an initiative that will see race stewards from their respective dominions partake in a favourable “exchange programme.”

Accordingly, race stewards from Britain will receive placements in the UAE, and vice-versa, with BHA Trainee Stipendiary Steward Sam Angell set to launch the agreement on March 8.

Angell will sit on the ERA Stewards’ Panel and officiate at all meetings up until the Dubai World Cup meeting on March 29.

“This is an exciting initiative which has seen BHA and the ERA work cooperatively and supportively in order to establish an exchange programme,” said ERA Chief Steward, John Zucal.

“Given the large number of British riders here, it can only benefit officials and riders and assist in the development of consistent and uniform interpretation of racing rules by stewards.

“It will be an excellent experience for Trainee Stipendiary Steward Sam Angell. Further, we can develop a network with the BHA Stewards and vice-versa on an ongoing basis, which will enhance the integrity of both jurisdictions. I am fully supportive of developing an ongoing exchange programme with BHA.”

Paul Barton, Head of Stewarding for BHA, added: “We are very excited about the development of the exchange programme and the benefits that it will bring. The proposal of international collaboration and shared knowledge will provide learning and development opportunities, not only for the individuals involved but also for the teams who take part in such exchanges, both from a stewarding and integrity point of view.

“We look forward to welcoming stewards from other jurisdictions back to Britain for similar exchanges in the near future.”

In addition to the Stewards Exchange Programme, the ERA has also recently hosted visiting stewards from Qatar, Sweden and Bahrain.

Ryan Skelton of Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, Elisabeth Oldengren, Chief Steward at Sweden’s Taby Racecourse in Stockholm, and Bahraini steward, Mahdi Hassan Ali Al Kulaiti sat in with ERA stewards at the Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting of January 30, 2014.

“We fully support the attendance of stewards from different jurisdictions at our race meetings,” said Zucal. “It is a chance to exchange ideas and policies and foster international stewarding relationships as well as allowing the visiting stewards to experience the manner in which we conduct our race meetings.”