How do you become a Jockey?

Question

I'm sixteen, and I am 5.0, I weigh under a 100 pounds, and I have been told to be a jockey by a lot of people. I wouldn't mind doing it, I love riding a full out running horse. But how to I get into the buisness of racing?

Answer 1

There are two ways.  One being to attend an accredited jockey school. There are two in the US.  One is the North American Racing Academy taught by retired jockey Chris McCarron and the other one being the Frank Garza Jockey School taught by retired jockey Frank Garza.  

The other way is to get a job working for a trainer as a groom or hot walker and work your way up to being an exercise rider then a jockey.  Most jockeys I know and work with started out this way.

Answer 2

Well first running your back yard horse is very different then riding a race horse,

two you have to be very FIT ,

NEXT COMES to horse sense. race horse wise

any way go to your closest race track watch morning's work outs study all ,

the after 8 am watch the real jockeys work out the horses

Are you ready to work 7 days a week 360 days a yr

no matter what is going on in your life ?

Dedication and learning . You d not o have to start from the bottom . but not by being a hot walker etc if you ride well already you must get a trainer to get you in

Then you have to prove to the stewards that you can handle a young horse and a old one just galloping him. with other riders on the track looks easy But It's not as you think !!!

Then you might get oked and get a liesenced



Beleive me its not for the not brave of heart

its hard work and its very danurgerus .

if you can give up all night life and wake up at 3'30 am eevry morn and go to bed at 6'00 pm and NEVER BE SICK. Then  yOU MIGHT MAKE IT

By The way you can be up to 180 and still gallop race horses Not to ride races , so size as a Jock is different then a gallop person Plus you will get paid very well if you are good

stay away from drugs etc ,,