Jockey dream?

Question

I'm 13 now and I want to become a jockey when I'm 16. How should I go about doing it?

What's the weight limit?

How do you get a jockey liscence?

Are there any special schools to go to learn to be a jockey?

Answer 1

The average weight for a jockey is 112lbs.  To get a jockey license you must be able to pass a riding test on a race horse which you must be able work a horse out of the gates and the track stewards judge your riding ability.  The stewards either approve you or they don't.  Yes there are special jockey schools here in the states retired jockeys Chris McCarron and Frank Garza each have their own jockey schools.  I suggest checking them out and find out what the age requirement is to attend a jockey school. Then I would see about getting a job with a trainer or volunteering at a stable as a groom and work your way up.   Though if you are 13 you might have problems as most trainers might not take you on because of your age and because you have to be 16 to even be a groom at a race track but it doesn't hurt to try.  Do you have any riding experience? If not you should think about taking some riding lessons.  To be honest with you most of all the jockeys that started their careers at 16 came from racing families where they start learning to ride at 8 or 9 years old working for family who trains race horses.  It may be hard for you to become a jockey when you are 16 unless you can get experience before you turn 16.  But don't get discouraged there are a lot of jockeys out there that didn't get their jockey licenses until they were 20 years old and have successful careers.  Some have been even more successful than some of the jockeys that started their careers at 16.  I do want say good luck to you.

Answer 2

get an apprenticeship ,, dunno where ur from but thats wot we have over here,, work at a stable and learn 2 ride if u cant as racing is a LOT different to just riding in the paddock! u wud need 2 be around 100lbs

hope this helps

jess

Answer 3

Just go for it!!! I want to try and get into the FBI first, but if I can't get in, I'm definitely going to be a race horse owner, trainer, and jock. One of my friends Kyle is a jockey and TB trainer.....I live on the ranch where he works, and I also have a track, a stable, an indoor arena and an outdoor one where he works his horses! Try to find a job somewhere like that.....you have to take a test when you're sixteen..........weight limit is 115....there is no height limit. There is a school in California run by Frank Garza........I've talked to him already and I plan to go there if I don't get into the FBI. Good luck! Maybe I'll run against you in a race someday!

Answer 4

i dont know much abt it. but i have seen one good movie called " jacky jockey's gang". ithink u should see this movie to get help from it.

Answer 5

if you have a race track or training facility close-by you should try to get in a few gallops. this will be a great help in both knowledge and contacts.

Answer 6

If you have a racetrack near you, go there and hang out... spend lots of free time there.  Find the jockeys room and wait there until jockeys come out to go to the paddock before the race... try to talk to them and walk them to the paddock... make friends and ask them questions.  see if they can introduce you to some trainers.  Talk to as many jockeys and trainers as you can.  Volunteer to work with the trainers with their horses.  Eventually they might let you work out their horses in the morning before school (like 6am), then once you're 16 you should have enough riding experience that those trainers will let you ride in a race.

I don't really know how to get a jockeys license, but if you talk to the jockeys they'll know.

There are schools you can attend.  Chris McCarron runs a jockey school at Kentucky Horse Park where he'll teach you to work around horses and ride and everything.  It would be a great experience.

oh, and weight tends to be around 110... a little less as a beginner, maybe you can be a little more as a more experienced jockey when you're doing more stakes races.

Good luck!

Answer 7

I saw a documentary called "Jockey" that showed some of the steps to take in becoming a jockey. This movie might also change your mind in wanting to live this life. It does not look like it is as glamorous as you might think. I wish you all the best.