But they shouldn't be, if the rules are made up by an unelected panel ( including an Australian , where there are no whip rules as such in horseracing ) who have not listened to the only people who have knowledge of race riding, namely the jockeys. The count of 2 hits outside followed by a maximum of 5 inside the final furlong is too rigid. Why just not 7 in total , final furlong or not. The penalties seem to be the biggest bone of contention. Hughes has been done on two seperate occasions, each time for one extra hit inside the final furlong. The first time he didn't realise a slap down the shouder was included in the last furlong total ( understandable ) 5 days, 2nd time 6hits ,one over, gets him an extra 10 days. Plus the ridiculous financial penalties, which means a jockey can make a 400 mile round trip to ride a winner, but in doing so stops it veering of the track endangering the viewing public by hitting it 6 times down the neck to keep oit straight. He would then lose his riding fee, his winning 5% of prizemoney and at least 5 days loss of earnings and the cost of his working day. Is there any other sport that denies a person their living for a first MINOR transgression of the rules. The BHA have ridiculed the sport.