All horse lovers out there at one point wished to become a professional jockey and maybe turn their love for these majestic creatures into a career. There is something special in that feeling when you cross the finish line and the crowds cheer your name, but not many can fulfil that elusive dream.

Of course, not all are interested in becoming professional jockeys. Many punters love the racing aspect of the sport and don’t need to be at the racing track to appreciate it, as they can do it from the comfort of their homes, and a little extra help from TVG online promo code can maximise their chances of winning.

For all others who deem themselves worthy of becoming jockeys, a road that requires a lot of sacrifice, love, hard work and dedication lies ahead. This article is a short guide that will help you understand all the steps you need to follow in order to become a professional jockey. Read on!  

Education

First of all, a professional jockey needs to be well educated in all equine matters. This usually begins with the anatomy of the horse, grooming, shoeing and all the things related to the maintenance and equipment. A good start for a jockey would be any work around the stables or barns.

Next on the list should be an apprentice or a trainer school. All those over 16 years of age are eligible to enrol in these schools and start a career that way. There are not many professional jockey schools out there, like the North American Racing Academy, where aspiring jockeys will learn about nutrition, fitness, and the techniques and styles of horseback riding. However, the competition for getting enrolled is fierce, and usually only a dozen students get accepted.

Physical Requirements

There are specific physical requirements all jockeys need to fulfil in order to become professional jockeys. These physical requirements refer to the rider’s weight and height. Although the weight requirements vary depending on the type of race, the usual weight goes from 52 kg for flat racing to 62 kg for jumps. With this in mind, jockeys are often on strict diets, which requires a lot of discipline and effort. Still, riders need to be able to control and govern horses in full speed, which is no small task.

As far as height goes, it is not as important as the weight, but there are still some restrictions, mostly due to the aerodynamics. Most jockeys are around 5 ft and 3 or 4 inches, but there have been cases where riders stood at almost 6 ft.

Conclusion

Even though the career of a jockey is a demanding one and requires a lot of sacrifice, the rewards are numerous, starting from the prize money to the accolades and commanding respect of the audience and other competitors. At the end of the day, doing what you really love and being around your favourite animals is the only thing that matters.