Horses are beautiful animals. They are used for all sorts of things, but one of the most glamorous things a horse can do is race. Every year there are 1000s of races around the world and on the back of every horse is a jockey. A jockey?s job is to race a horse from the starting gate to the finish line as fast as possible. If you don?t know much about jockeys watch Jockeys on Animal Planet. It?s a good opportunity to see if this could be the career for you.
Most jockeys begin their career at a very young age riding horses and learning racing culture. At the age of 16, the prospective jockey can begin formally working with a trainer or enter an apprentice school. No education requirement to being a Jockey but you need a lot of training and dedication.
A good grasp of horse anatomy, breathing, grooming, shoeing, and maintaining equipment is essential too. Often jockeys get their start working at barns, stables, and racetracks as hot walkers or groomers. Many jockeys attend jockey school, but the best way to learn is by apprenticing with a respected, professional jockey. A proper apprenticeship will teach you the ropes and prepare you for schooling races that will help you learn the rules of racing, safety, and how the race world works. Schooling races are formal training sponsored by racetracks and are required for jockeys to earn a competitive racing license. After you earn a racing license, you can begin to enter races professionally and wear the bright colored outfits of the racehorse owner.
Jockeys need to watch races and horses constantly to learn skills that will benefit them on the racetrack. Before each race you enter, you plan a strategy to win based on the course, the conditions, and the competition. This is usually done in collaboration with racehorse owners and trainers. Jockeys have to meet weight requirements. To be a jockey you have to be small. Jockeys typically measure in around five feet and weigh about 100 pounds. You also need to be athletic and able to ride a horse well. In order to meet weight requirements, many jockeys suffer from eating disorders and starvation diets. If you make weight, you are eligible to race.
A high level of ability in riding and handling horses. fitness, strength and stamina , good eyesight and fast reaction speeds. the ability to cope with the risks and pressures of racing. Jockeys must be light to ride at the weights which are assigned to their mounts. There are horse carrying weight limits, that are set by racing authorities.
Your day-to-day duties may include:
Horse racing is a sport where jockeys may incur permanent, debilitating, and even life-threatening injuries. Chief among them include concussion, bone fractures, arthritis, trampling, and paralysis. Jockey insurance premiums remain among the highest of all professional sports
" />Horses are beautiful animals. They are used for all sorts of things, but one of the most glamorous things a horse can do is race. Every year there are 1000s of races around the world and on the back of every horse is a jockey. A jockey?s job is to race a horse from the starting gate to the finish line as fast as possible. If you don?t know much about jockeys watch Jockeys on Animal Planet. It?s a good opportunity to see if this could be the career for you.
Most jockeys begin their career at a very young age riding horses and learning racing culture. At the age of 16, the prospective jockey can begin formally working with a trainer or enter an apprentice school. No education requirement to being a Jockey but you need a lot of training and dedication.
A good grasp of horse anatomy, breathing, grooming, shoeing, and maintaining equipment is essential too. Often jockeys get their start working at barns, stables, and racetracks as hot walkers or groomers. Many jockeys attend jockey school, but the best way to learn is by apprenticing with a respected, professional jockey. A proper apprenticeship will teach you the ropes and prepare you for schooling races that will help you learn the rules of racing, safety, and how the race world works. Schooling races are formal training sponsored by racetracks and are required for jockeys to earn a competitive racing license. After you earn a racing license, you can begin to enter races professionally and wear the bright colored outfits of the racehorse owner.
Jockeys need to watch races and horses constantly to learn skills that will benefit them on the racetrack. Before each race you enter, you plan a strategy to win based on the course, the conditions, and the competition. This is usually done in collaboration with racehorse owners and trainers. Jockeys have to meet weight requirements. To be a jockey you have to be small. Jockeys typically measure in around five feet and weigh about 100 pounds. You also need to be athletic and able to ride a horse well. In order to meet weight requirements, many jockeys suffer from eating disorders and starvation diets. If you make weight, you are eligible to race.
A high level of ability in riding and handling horses. fitness, strength and stamina , good eyesight and fast reaction speeds. the ability to cope with the risks and pressures of racing. Jockeys must be light to ride at the weights which are assigned to their mounts. There are horse carrying weight limits, that are set by racing authorities.
Your day-to-day duties may include:
Horse racing is a sport where jockeys may incur permanent, debilitating, and even life-threatening injuries. Chief among them include concussion, bone fractures, arthritis, trampling, and paralysis. Jockey insurance premiums remain among the highest of all professional sports
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