Treat female jockeys as equals

France is trying to introduce a new 4lb weight allowance for all female jockeys riding over flat and jumps (excluding class 1 races) believing it will encourage more women to ride and do better in their careers.

However,  this is completely ridiculous because the women who have won big races without having this 4lb claim, when given the opportunity to ride a competitive horse have won on merit and ability due to an equal playing field and not being treated any different to their male colleagues. A prime example of this is Julie Krone who won the ledger Legends race in 2011. Whilst horse racing is a male dominated industry many women struggle with their careers. Josephine Gordon is the Champion Apprentice of the year 2016 and won the title with hard work and determination not because she was given preferential treatment. There have only been 3 female jockeys who have won this title: Josie Gordon, Amy Ryan and Hayley Turner. Women don't want to be patronise.

Some people insist this idea will strongly assist female jockeys, I think its crazy because I don't think  will provide more chances. I am strong believer that you create your own chances in life and you shouldn't wait for them to handed to you. You have to work hard for what you want in life. Owners and Trainers should be encouraged to use female jockeys.

Women should be encouraged to go into racing, be given the same opportunities as men and be able to compete as equals.  The ratio of men to women jockeys is seriously unequal. There are only 53 female jockeys and 354 male jockeys in Britain.

Within the racing community there has been plenty of discussion, some people are against it. Julie Krone who's said its 'laughable and insulting', Jane Elliot described it as 'patronising' and top male jockey Adam Kirby suggesting its 'ridiculous'  but others such as AP McCoy think its a move in the right direction and has suggested it since 2015 saying 'female jockeys are very, very competent riders but perhaps they should receive an allowance like a filly does in a race'. His argument being women aren't as strong, yet the quality of ridding surely cannot just be down to how strong a rider is.

This conflict will continue until women are treated as equals in racing, I seriously hope that France will not impose the weight allowance.