More than 40 members of the Czech Steeplechase Association took part in the General Meeting at Pardubice racecourse. After Jaroslav Jelínek, general secretary of the Association, had made an extensive evaluation of the previous season, there was a vote for members of the bodies for the General Meeting, followed by a vote for the new committee of the Association.

Ten of the eleven candidates were elected: Josef Váňa, Soňa Froňková, Karin Luftmanová, Jiří Janda, František Horák, Jaroslav Myška, Martin Liška, Zdeněk Knor, Stanislav Chudáček and Petr Malík. Then the review commission of the Association was elected.

The second half of the programme took the form of a discussion of changes for the 2018 season. Participants in the meeting spoke in favour of retaining races for young riders [these races are open to all riders who have ridden fewer than 50 winners, regardless of their age]. Participants also agreed on an increased weight allowance for riders who have not yet ridden ten winners. Professional riders will receive a 4 kg allowance, apprentices and amateurs will receive 5 kg. This should provide an interesting opportunity for talented young riders. These proposals will need to receive the blessing of the Council of the Jockey Club of the Czech Republic.

There was also a discussion about support for Czech breeding. In the 2018 season, owners’ bonuses will be paid for Czech-breds in races for 4-y-os, since the Jockey Club of the Czech Republic has set aside up to half a million crowns [EUR 20 000] for this category.

In the first meeting of the new committee, Josef Váňa was elected as chairman and Martin Liška as his deputy. The Association has five seats on the council of the Jockey Club, where it will be represented by Josef Váňa, Martin Liška, Soňa Froňková, Karin Luftmanová and Stanislav Chudáček.

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This article, by Petr Malík, appeared on the Galopp Reporter website on 07.01.2018. Translated by Robin Healey.