Trainer slams jumps critics

By Stuart Teather
CRANBOURNE trainer Chris Hyland fired off another volley in the battle with animal rights lobbyists over the future of jumps racing, saying he had witnessed animals being treated poorly by those who are criticising his sport.
Hyland said he attended an open day at the RSPCA’s offices in Burwood recently, and witnessed a woman riding a horse with a stock whip.
They had a woman riding around on a horse with a big stock whip on the side, they had a dog demonstration with sheep and they had three cattle dogs tied to a fence with no water,” he said.
“Here they are saying they want us to do away with whips on horses, and here’s a woman on their grounds riding with no bridle, with just a big long stick like a stock whip in her hand.
“If we were to go to all their functions and sit there and look for every little thing that happens to go wrong, they’d be in the same position we’re in.”
Hyland, who said he filmed the event, accused the animal rights group of hypocrisy.
“That side gets a bit frustrating in that those people think they know what’s best for everyone, but they perhaps need to look in their own backyard.”
The RSPCA did not return calls before the News went to press.