What couldve been?

Question

I work in an office but every so often I think about what could have been if would continued to try to a jockey, I go to the racetracks backside on the weekends after the track has closed, their times I don't go for weeks to stop thinking about the issue but im always drawn back to the track. I stopped going to the grandstand because seeing people I know riding in the race made me wonder even more. Maybe in the future Im considering picking up (learning to ride) where I left off but people tell me its not worth it once you have an education/ normal job. My father tells me he glad I quit but tells other I looked good on the horses but he or anybody never helped me get to the next level riding live (not easy) horses but I remember that fateful day, I just walked away from it all. Im always left with the question of what could have been?? I even met the guy who taught my dad. what do I do?? Will I end up where I end up in the racetrack?? How do I reconcille the issue??

Answer 1

you just go for you have it in your blood . it seems to be your passion .my husband was the same and his mom got on him not to . and he should have went for it .

Answer 2

It's a tough life. High risk, you'll have to buy your own health insurance or go without. You'll have to struggle like the dickens to keep your weight low. Unless you are successful you'll always be trying to get rides in races to earn your next paycheck. . If it is something you really love enough to make all these sacrifices for then maybe you should find a way to make it happen.

Answer 3

I know exactly where your head is, my head is in the same place.  I got hurt real bad and have never had the guts to throw a leg up since.  My family is on the breeding end, has been for over a hundred years.  I couldn't stand to be away from the track so I started training and breeding.  I've been at it for over 20 years now and have been quite successfull.  But every time I see a horse run, it sends me back to "What if..."  (It will make me crazy, it I let it.)  

I don't think you ever really get over it.  (I haven't.)  It's in your heart and your head.  It is a large part of who and what you are.

You can do like I did, and try and reach an almost happy medium.  (I am as happy as I will ever be without riding.)  

                            OR...

You can walk away from the life you have now and go back to what you are in your heart.  

                            OR...

Or, you can let it fester inside of you until it makes you crazy.

There are pros and cons of all choices, you just have to decide for yourself what you want and what you can live with or without.  

Good luck to you!

Answer 4

Do what you feel is in your heart.  I know people in the racing industry who quit the track went to college, got normal jobs, raised a family then  decided to jump back into horse racing and have done okay.  I'm not saying it's going to be easy because it won't be.  But the main thing can you give up a job that has benefits.  Being a jockey or any other job working with race horses there are no benefits.  No health insurance, no retirement fund,  no two days off a week,  no paid vacation, etc.  You will be giving all that up to go back to the track to try and become a jockey.

Answer 5

live your dream

Answer 6

If it's worth it to you to try to get such a low weight... go for it. Personally I would advise you to try to put as much into savings now as possible, so if you decide to ride, you'll have something to fall back into. Jocks just starting out don't make a whole lot of cash, but the really good ones make outstanding amounts of money. If it's in your heart, if you really want to do this... go for it. Or maybe you could compromise. Maybe keep your job part time and become an exercise rider in the morning, then see how it goes from there.

I don't know where you live, but here in Kentucky (especially Keeneland in the mornings), there's all kinds of exercise riders and trainers hanging out at the track kitchen in the mornings after workouts. If you have access to riders like that, go talk to them, see what they think. I think the opinion of someone who is currently involved in it, who knows the risks and rewards, should offer better advice to you. Good luck to you, whichever you choose.