Thinking About a Career as a Horse Jockey? Consider the Height and Weight Limits

Securing employment as a horse jockey is difficult.  There are only so many horse jockey jobs available.  The fact that horse jockeys cannot exceed height or weight limits makes it even more challenging to gain access to this field.  The fact that riding a horse day-after-day is physically taxing makes life as a horse jockey even more stressful.  Let’s take a closer look at what is required to excel in this line of work outlined by owner Richard Schibell.

What Horse Jockeys Do

Horse jockeys really are professional athletes.  The primary difference between horse jockeys and other athletes is that jockeys ride racehorses.  These professionals must remain fit, strong and agile even though they are not colliding into 300 pound men at a high rate of speed or attempting to shoot a ball through a hoop 20 feet away.  The majority of jockeys are freelancers dependent on horse owners and trainers for employment.   The better the jockey’s record, the more work he or she will find.  More importantly, the best jockeys earn a cut of the prize in the races in which they either win, place or show.

The typical jockey spends his or her days working with horses as well as trainers.  The jockey must be able to establish a rapport with the horse.  It takes hours of training to ensure the jockey and horse are in sync.  Jockeys are legitimate athletes so they spend a considerable portion of their day in the gym working on their physique to guarantee they meet the weight and height requirements necessary to race.

Requirements for Horse Jockeys

Jockeys do not walk directly into stables and request the opportunity to work.  These riders must meet certain requirements and achieve certain milestones prior to being considered for paid work.  The United States has few opportunities for prospective jockeys in terms of education and training.  Kentucky’s North American Racing Academy is the nation’s sole school for prospective jockeys.  This institution provides a two-year program.  Only those who have a high school diploma/GED and experience training and riding horses will qualify for this competitive program.  However, graduation from the program is not necessary to find work as a jockey.

If you would like to embark on a career as a jockey, you can apply for an apprenticeship license around 16 years of age.  However, each state’s unique age requirements for this license are unique.  Be sure to check the state’s guidelines before making any sort of commitment or plans so you know exactly what is required.  It is interesting to note certain states refuse to grant an apprenticeship license unless the candidate meets the weight and height requirements and proves he or she can keep the proper weight level without sacrificing well-being.

Once the candidate receives the apprenticeship license, the prospective jockey will have to meet specific requirements in accordance with the state.  As an example, it might be necessary to put in a specific number of hours laboring in the stables.  There are also specific health and racing requirements for apprentice jockeys to boot.  Some jockeys are required to pass an exam.  Once the apprentice spends enough time in stables and on the track, he or she will be dubbed a “journeyman jockey.”

Jockey Weight and Height

Weight is of the utmost important to jockey success as the horse cannot be bogged down by a heavy rider.  Light jockeys have superior control as they do not weigh down the horse.  Jockeys adhere to a strict exercise and diet regimen to meet each race’s specific requirements for weight and height.  The average jockey weighs in fairly often to determine if eating and exercise habits are sufficient.  Jockey weight is ultimately determined by the amount of weight the animal can hold for the race in question.  This is why jockey weight tends to fluctuate between races.  Jockeys do not learn about weight requirements until three days prior to each race so they tend to eat very little in this period of time in order to meet weight.  Some jockeys go as far as wearing several layers of clothing in order to sweat away the extra pounds prior to the big race.

Every jockey slotted to ride in the race must weigh in before entering the starting gates.  If the jockey is scheduled to compete in multiple races in a single day, he or she must weigh in multiple times.  Though it is acceptable for jockeys to weigh in at or upwards of five pounds above the weight limit, the majority of riders attempt to satisfy the nuanced guidelines of their contracts.  The typical racehorse is capable of carrying upwards of 122 pounds.  This weight includes the jockey’s equipment in addition to his personal mass.

In terms of height, there are no specific requirements to work as a jockey.  The typical jockey is short simply because taller people have a larger frame that carries more mass.  Extra mass is detrimental to the horse’s ability to reach and maintain a high rate of speed.  Most jockeys stand between 4’10” and 5’6”, weighing in at 108 to 118 pounds.

Richard Schibell has been breeding thoroughbred horses and racing them for well over 35 years. Stay up to date with our content by following the blog at Richardschibellracing.com!

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