"You don't throw a whole life away just cause it's banged up a little"

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

I have a question about jockeys.....

It seems like people are quick to take sides when jockeys get nailed for drugs, alcohol, etc.

After being on any given forum for a while, you have a sense of what's coming and who will be vocal either for or against the latest episiode of Jocks In Trouble.

I'm not being sanctimonious here. Personally I do always try to back up someone who is troubled or self-destructive. I believe in one last chance and one last chance after that. I know others are the same way.

That said, i can understand the other point of view too. I don't agree with the ban-their-ass(es) mentality but sure, I can understand it.

It's really easy for me to have an opinion not being an owner. Maybe if i were I'd have the opposite view and i acknowledge that.


Fallon, PVal, all these stories.....

Here's the latest one.

Gold Edition jockey to face charges 3 Feb 2008

By Greg Irvine - www.virtualformguide.com

Stathi Katsidis, who rode Gold Edition to her swansong fourth placing in Saturday's Group I Lightning Stakes at Flemington, has had a run in with police.

The Queenslander will front court on February 19 after being pulled over by police late on Saturday in Towoomba.

Katsidis blew 0.19 when breath tested not long after 10pm (Qld time) - just hours after riding Gold Edition.

Police report they found steroids and ecstacy when his vehicle was searched.

Katsidis was breath tested and cleared to ride at Sunday's Sunshine Coast meeting in Queensland.

http://www.thoroughbrednews.co.nz/sp...cing/?id=33377

Part of the problem though is the reason for the drugs.

I can't imagine the lifestyle, the wasting, the mental stress that it must cause, the whole idea of being an athlete but never really treated as other athletes are, never on the same level, the emotional roller-coaster, the thought of a horse breaking down and having to change silks and go right back out onto the track for the next race....

Someone once posted that it's the only job in the world where you have an ambulance follow you all day and of course there IS that.

So my question is is anybody out there looking at the big picture? Are there or have there been studies done on jockeys and depression?

If not, should there be or rather shouldn't there be?

If they don't have people in their lives who are there for them, who will listen, do they have somewhere to turn to?

I know, I know... a fun forum pastime making fun of them and disrespecting them. I'm guilty of it too. I've done it too.

I'm just starting to feel like along with the bannings or days, the fines, etc., some help should be given or offered (or possibly mandatory?) and i have no idea whether or not it is.

Some overcome their problems (GoGo), some keep slipping, and then there are those like the poor kid who jumped off the 19th floor of the Hong Kong Jockey Club offices (Harry Tsang), Brian Long, Hector Ventura, this poor kid...

http://www.derbytrail.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19628

Thoughts?

My first thought is the oft referenced Sara Silverman quote on Britney Spears.

"Isn't it great she's already accomplished everything she will in life, and she's only 25 years old?"


My second thought, is that most people deserve at least a couple chances.


My 3rd thought is that our jockeys have an amazingly hard job keeping weight below 115 pounds, or less. And keeping the edge of competition and "fun at work" around them.

I've been around people
who do drugs to get away from life.
They want to be dead for various reasons.

So I really try hard not to pass judgment.
I am sure there are those that got addicted
because of recreational use. Sympathy is
hard for them. But those who are just self
medicating because they are depressed...

I would not be surprised if Pval tries to off
himself.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

The Cocaine (or whatever) PVAL was using didn't bother me nearly as much as the D.U.I......As long as he was being tested,then I think it was enough of a safeguard.The D.U.I. is more of a crime against others though.I really don't have sympathy for somebody driving when they are so drunk they can't avoid still objects.It's totally irresponsible,and it needs to become taboo.

[cakes44]

Alcoholism and anorexia... the only "diseases" where someone is "cured" by choice.

[GPK]

Originally Posted by cakes44

Alcoholism and anorexia... the only "diseases" where someone is "cured" by choice.

You not think they are diseases?

[cakes44]

Mental defects or just plain mental weakness maybe. However, I'm definitely not going to lump them in with those who have to suffer through something like cancer through no fault of their own.

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by cakes44

Mental defects or just plain mental weakness maybe. However, I'm definitely not going to lump them in with those who have to suffer through something like cancer through no fault of their own.

alcholism has been proven to be gene based and hereditery. Not to say that it's easier to get help for that than cancer, but if you smoke for 30 years or lay in the sun every summer, there has to be some level of ownership if you get cancer.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by cakes44

Mental defects or just plain mental weakness maybe. However, I'm definitely not going to lump them in with those who have to suffer through something like cancer through no fault of their own.

You have the same outlook as many people who simply dont understand. Disease is disease whether it is physical, mental or both. Comparing diseases is folly.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by GPK

You not think they are diseases?

They need to find a gene for alcoholism...Then test people early on for it.If they have it,then find a way to make it objectionable to them the 1st time they try it.You get preventative shots for all kinds of stuff when you're young. Some otherwise harmless enzyme that will react with ethanol to form a slightly acidic compound that tastes poor,but is otherwise not harmful....Cuz these fkrs running people over left n' right has to stop.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

Originally Posted by SCUDSBROTHER

They need to find a gene for alcoholism...Then test people early on for it.If they have it,then find a way to make it objectionable to them the 1st time they try it.You get preventative shots for all kinds of stuff when you're young. Some otherwise harmless enzyme that will react with ethanol to form a slightly acidic compound that tastes poor,but is otherwise not harmful....Cuz these fkrs running people over left n' right has to stop.

I had a shot of moonshine yesterday....for medicinal perpouses ..

[GPK]

Originally Posted by SCUDSBROTHER

They need to find a gene for alcoholism...Then test people early on for it.If they have it,then find a way to make it objectionable to them the 1st time they try it.You get preventative shots for all kinds of stuff when you're young. Some otherwise harmless enzyme that will react with ethanol to form a slightly acidic compound that tastes poor,but is otherwise not harmful....Cuz these fkrs running people over left n' right has to stop.

There are pills out there that if you take them, then drink alcohol, you become very ill.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by SCUDSBROTHER

They need to find a gene for alcoholism...Then test people early on for it.If they have it,then find a way to make it objectionable to them the 1st time they try it.You get preventative shots for all kinds of stuff when you're young. Some otherwise harmless enzyme that will react with ethanol to form a slightly acidic compound that tastes poor,but is otherwise not harmful....Cuz these fkrs running people over left n' right has to stop.

Though I agree this would most certainly be helpful, the ACLU would have a field day with it as soon as they have run out of terrorists to defend.