Becoming a jockey can be one of the most interesting and rewarding jobs out there today, though the barrier to entry is somewhat high. Though many individuals recognize jockeys that they see on television, the actual process of moving up the ladder in the industry is more difficult than it looks. Jockeys can start off in several roles, but the entry level typically includes more than just riding.
Jockeys will be responsible for caring for the horses in some capacity and they can also add some manual labor to their plate, as well. Jockeys ride in smaller races at the beginning and depending upon their skill level, they might be able to move up to something better.
Becoming a jockey requires some things that are not attainable through practice. Individuals have to meet certain height and weight requirements, though these can vary depending upon where you take a job. It is typically thought that the smaller the jockey is, the better off he is. As far as skills are concerned, jockeys have to be proficient in competitive riding, which requires one to understand how to handle horses and the dynamics of competitive races.
Experience with and around horses is required, and prospective jockeys really have to have a love affair with the horse industry if they are going to make it.
Being a jockey is a job that's based a lot on performance. For those who want to move up, they need to be successful in their races at lower levels and they also need to know how to please horse owners. It's always been an industry that's somewhat difficult to break into, since jockeys have a tendency to hang around for a long time and job openings are somewhat scarce.
Still, the best way to break into the world of jockeying is to take up a preliminary job at a stable with a horse owner. From there, one can show that he has the requisite skills to handle the horses, which can be the opening that you need. Once you have that opening, skill and performance do the rest.
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