The document that sparked a DEATH Threat, i cant see how this caused such a stir involving the SAP and how an "owner" took it upon himself to make a death threat from his MOBILE fone
sounds like Klippies and coke had something to do with it as well as good old fashioned jealousy.
If they dont SORT this out Kimberley will such down.
To: Kimberley Trainers via email- Vernon Rugg
Hi All
I have asked Vernon Rugg to disseminate this letter to you all, at your next trainers meeting.
At the outset, you do not have to remind myself that I have absolutely no say in your area and am not a Kimberley trainer, etc. I am fully aware of this. However, I plead your patience, as I make the following points to you all. These points are based on my experience of the bigger picture, on information available to myself and indeed, upon my own opinions, for what they are worth:-
1. Unity
By all appearances, there are great divides in your region. This brings out the ugly side of all of us. I have been there, seen this happen. In the end we are so worried about the next person, that we actually become inextricably entwined in a daily pursuit of only looking for faults and negatives in each other.
Racing is tough for all of us. A trainer’s life is filled with pressure. In my experience, once we add in this “daily pursuit” of finding fault with others and the resultant negativity, we actually lose focus on our own horses and their many daily needs in terms of our professional efforts.
In your case, it is much more difficult. You don’t have a full string of superior, exceptionally bred horses. In most cases you have inferior horses which arrive with their problems. This tests yourselves and shows your ability. An example from my yard is Pisces Star- What an excellent job by the Visser stable! This is the essence of Kimberley- giving horses an extended career and owners a happy racing experience. This is the very crux of what you should all be building, in unity.
I urge you all, for your own sakes, to concentrate on that, which makes you so valuable to racing. Bury the knives, build some Kimberley camaraderie!
2. Peter Miller
How often we disagreed, how often we chose opposing view on issues.
But, over time, I truly became in awe of the man. I am a great believer in the fact that respect is not something that you can demand, but something which is earned. Peter earned my respect, in multiples.
Over the years, one thing stood out about Peter- He was tirelessly working to ensure the future of Kimberley. During the many meetings which I attended, Peter was always out there, in his loud voice, fighting issues which would benefit you all.
At some stage, my respect for the man grew sufficiently for myself to rate Peter just as much a pioneer in racing as the great Mike De Kock has been, in terms of his overseas successes.
Peter pioneered a better, well established and respectable Kimberley. Yet nowadays, by all intents and purposes, you are going backwards very fast and will continue to do this, as long as you remain “at war” with each other and do not have a strong, fair leader, who acts on the instruction of the majority, for the majority.
I urge you to agree, by majority, on your leader and then to support your leader 100%. Because, divided you will fall. That’s a fact!
3. Stef Miller
This whole scenario has sickened me to the very pit of my stomach. That any person or persons can actually go out on a limb and oppose her application for a simple assistant trainers license, is something that I find quite unbelievable.
Should I have been one of these people, I would be ashamed to the extent of seeking psychiatric help.
This situation alone proves that you are becoming architects of the demise of Kimberley.
What should have happened, in any similar situation, was that you all stood firm behind Stef and her application. When that happened, you would have earned the respect of the authorities in racing, would have shown a united Kimberley and ensured your future.
4. Kimberley Gone!
The story is out there. Kimberley closed, 2014. Vaal Sand becomes turf. Turffontein becomes Polytrack. A new course in the North.
How do you fight it?
1. One leader, elected by the majority and talks for all only after meeting with all, to find out what the
majority wants.
2. Bury the knives.
3. Clean up your act:-
3.1 Assist in tidiness, cleanliness- Give 2 grooms each, for an afternoon shift, once weekly. Yes, it’s not
your job, but it’s your Course, your living, the one you want to sustain (keep their costs down).
3.2 Your food is shocking! Do something about it.
3.3 Your bar has less variety of stock than the average shebeen in Pampoenskloof- Do something about it.
4. Stop the “prima donna” calls to head office and NHA- sort things out in-house. All that you are doing at
present is adding to the list of the “spin doctor” who will take this list to the Board and have proof that,
“Kimberley is more hassle and aggravation than what its’ worth.” Done- Board looks at list and agrees,
“Close Kimberley.” It’s up to you all!
5. Elect a body of 3 trainers, not your elected leader. All in-house squabbles are brought to this body. Everybody
agrees to their final decision on these. Examples:- So and So worked fast on the wrong track. So and So
trotted on the wrong track, etc.
6. Your elected leader is your only spokesman. When approached, as individuals, on anything, refer them to
your leader. (As mentioned, your leader does not make any decisions/ take any stance without majority vote).
7. On small or quick issues, your leader doesn’t have to call a formal meeting- It’s quick and easy to simply ask
each member for his yes or no vote. Leader must just keep notes of votes, for later queries, etc.
8. Braai, braai, braai- At least once a month- Just a simple “bring ‘n braai” social. The barriers will come down!
In closing, I believe that the past must be set aside, together with any/all bitterness. Start over. Elect your leader and build from there. Support your leader- make decisions based upon the issue and don’t play the man- play the ball.
Finally, I leave you with 2 Chinese proverbs which I quite enjoy:-
#1 – Man who fly upside down have balls up.
#2 – Man who point finger have three fingers pointing back at himself.
I wish you all every success in the future.
Best Regards
Louis Goosen
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