ONE point above all others drove Bryony Frost to take her bullying complaints against Robbie Dunne to an official hearing — knowing she could never forgive herself if she stayed silent.
Yes, things had reached rock bottom for her personally, as she struggled to cope with an increasing level of run-ins with fellow rider Dunne.
But it was also the knowledge that if she did say nothing, how many others in the future may suffer the way she had?
And not just jockeys, either.
With her voice cracking with emotion, Frost admitted: “There were times in all this when riding in France did turn my eye, and that would have been very easy for me to protect myself.
“But what happens when there’s another person who goes through a similar scenario and I hadn’t done anything to help?
“In the end it came down to two things. There was the point of I don’t believe anyone should make anyone feel that way, that you’re not worthy of being who you are.
“And the main one was I wouldn’t be a decent human being if I one day saw someone go through what I did, knowing I could have done something to prevent it happening again.
“If I allowed it to happen I’d be going back on everything I stand for in my own rules of life, how you treat people. I didn’t want to see anyone go through what I did.
“And I’m discovering there are people, not just jockeys, but general public, lads and lasses, everyone, who have been made to feel similar.
“So what I have gone through and had to do has been worth it if it helps less people feel the way I have and they have. I don’t just mean in sport, but in life.”
Last week’s case heard how Frost was abused and suffered threats of physical harm from Dunne over a seven-month period.
HAD TO MAKE A STAND
He had been accused of going way beyond the usual fall-outs of top level sport, calling her a f*****g w***e and dangerous c***, plus those threats of violence.
She was isolated, alone, and suffering. Worst of all, doing so in silence, too. It was what finally forced her to approach the British Horseracing Authority.
Yet it took nearly two years from the first instance to the verdict . . . and Bryony believes it need never have got that far.
But when she first approached the Professional Jockeys’ Association, the union in place to support all riders, she got an astonishing reaction.
Who exactly the guilty party was, she prefers to keep under wraps, although she is more than happy to reveal what was said.
Bryony added: “They are the jockeys’ voice, there to help all the members, but one of the PJA heads likened my scenario to his having a spat with a local cricket player in a Sunday afternoon village game.
“He said it was the same and we should just get on with it. The PJA are underwater, they’re drowning and not accepting they are.
“But as a system we have to accept that you can’t shout at someone like that. Yes there is a lot of adrenalin, emotion and pressure that can cause people to lose their characteristics.
“And I don’t just mean in the weighing room but everywhere within the sport. You get more respect trying to teach people by not shouting and calling names and making fun of them.
“You get more respect by educating people. They will then learn and progress in their job.
AUTHORITIES MUST OFFER PROPER HELP
“I am hoping the authorities can now go on and do their jobs. Not by putting a piece of paper in the weighing room saying, ‘Call this number,’ but to offer proper help.
“And not just in terms of jockeys but the whole of industry, from stable lads and lasses right to the top. Help on how people conduct themselves, on what is and isn’t acceptable.
“Everyone has a job within the sport, we’re professionals, but we must act and treat people with dignity. Just be decent human beings.”
Now the whole sorry case is over, Frost hopes she can switch all her focus back to doing what her entire life has been about — the horses.
The future may show Bryony was indeed a sporting groundbreaker. Personally, she just hopes that the future is a lot simpler than that.
She added: “What do I want for myself? I just want to enjoy my riding, I want to move forward. . . I just want to be me.”
