Jockeys

Because of the size requirements, very few riders are actually small and strong enough to pursue a professional career as a jockey and, among those who do meet the size requirements, the competition is keen for the top horses. Also, vast sums of money are often riding on the outcome of a particular race. As a result, the jockey faces a great deal of on-the-job stress and pressure. It is one thing knowing that you placed a dollar bet on a particular race; it is quite another thing to know that your employer has placed a bet worth millions.

The horse is a huge part of the equation. Jockeys must spend hours and hours around the horses they ride, caring for and grooming them, in addition to riding them. Depending on the weather, most of the day is spent at a track, working with the trainer and timing the horse in trial runs. At every stage of a jockey's career, long hours and grueling workouts with horses are necessary to build and maintain the requisite racing skills. Until they can earn enough to support themselves full time, many aspiring jockeys continue to work as horse trainers or exercisers, which may seem frustrating. A jockey may also have to travel quite a bit to gain enough experience to work in one place for a season. This may make having a fulfilling private life a bit difficult.

Jockeys must keep their weight down and so sometimes eat as little as a piece of toast and tea prior to a race. Some jockeys are tall, but the most important physical requirement is that they are as lightweight as possible.