Jumps racing must be saved

RACING Victoria is still deciding whether to cave in to the demands of a few minority groups that jumps racing be abolished, or whether it should be reinstated with the implementation of major changes recommended by jockeys and their association.Blind Freddy should be able to see the changes will definitely result in a huge reduction in the relatively small number of horse deaths each year.This is an emotional issue and will become even more so if jumps racing is abolished and tens of thousands of those currently employed in the industry end up out of work - due to Racing Victoria being gutless and not prepared to give the proposed changes a fair go. It should not be said that the changes won't work until they've been tried.Why not do so until at least the end of the current racing season, July 31?Then - assuming there has been a decrease in falls and horse deaths, resulting in this colourful sport surviving - RV can begin compiling monthly and year-to-date numerical data, and consistent percentage statistics to provide an actual record of the number of horses that raced, how many fell, and of those how many died or were humanely destroyed. The current economic downturn that will worsen and plague Australia for many years is an additional argument for keeping those who work in the industry employed.Adam Lindsay Gordon and A.B. “Banjo” Paterson (great Australian bush poets and jumps jockeys, for the benefit of those who may not be aware) must be turning in their graves at the possible loss of our nation's history and culture that is embedded in this sport. I feel for any animals (apart from predators and vermin) that die. But I, like most of the bleeding hearts and do-gooders belonging to minority groups and the usual professional protesters, eat meat and wear leather shoes and woollen clothes. Do these people want a huge increase in the amount of horse meat in pet food that will result if the sport is abolished?It's not a perfect world, never will be. But I hope sanity prevails for the better good of the greater number of “real people”. COLIN CARRINGTON,Heathcote