I am interested on any information you can give me on becoming a jockey or assistant trainer at a race track (particularly Washington state). I’m at that point in life where I need to start getting a general plan for life and I’ve wanted to be a jockey for about 3 years now. I will say that I’ve talked with my parents, talked to professionals, done lots of reading and am currently enrolled in community college working towards a 2 year degree so don’t bash me for being “too young and not knowing anything”. 
Whatever I do, I do whole heartedly and don’t believe in just dipping my toes. That’s why I want as much info as possible. Thanks in advance!
Go to the track and start hot walking. You can only go up from there! 
I would contact the Cooper/Penney/Fabulich family. They have a farm in Edgewood where you can learn the ropes before heading to the track. You will have to work HARD working for them, but you will learn what you need to know and it would be good insight into which direction (assistant trainer/jockey) you want to go. If you want their number pm me or call EMD.
Another option would be to go to the jockey school back in KY or the racetrack industry program in AZ. I don’t know much about either other than I’ve heard good things.
[QUOTE=jennywho;6171118]
I would contact the Cooper/Penney/Fabulich family. They have a farm in Edgewood where you can learn the ropes before heading to the track. You will have to work HARD working for them, but you will learn what you need to know and it would be good insight into which direction (assistant trainer/jockey) you want to go. If you want their number pm me or call EMD.
Another option would be to go to the jockey school back in KY or the racetrack industry program in AZ. I don’t know much about either other than I’ve heard good things.[/QUOTE]
And you may have to work for free to get your foot in the door and prove yourself. Find the most reputable and classy trainer to begin with – they may be better at protecting you and putting effort into your training. This is a big safety issue. Lesser trainers who can’t put effort into your training – this can be a really rough and dangerous path. Accident prone when the horse you are given is very difficult and runs off with you before you are ready… That is NOT the route to go!
[QUOTE=jennywho;6171118]
I would contact the Cooper/Penney/Fabulich family. They have a farm in Edgewood where you can learn the ropes before heading to the track. You will have to work HARD working for them, but you will learn what you need to know and it would be good insight into which direction (assistant trainer/jockey) you want to go. If you want their number pm me or call EMD.
Another option would be to go to the jockey school back in KY or the racetrack industry program in AZ. I don’t know much about either other than I’ve heard good things.[/QUOTE]
I have their number, thanks. I already called them and they said they might be able to work something out with me if I am interested. I’ve got one more year of school to go so not looking seriously right now. I just wanted some general information. Thanks!
ALWAYS the Penny/Coopers. No better people!!
Kay is awesome, Bryson is fun and awesome and Jim is great!!
Smart girl to get the college degree right now, though. Do finish that up. It’s easier to do now than later.
Here is my jounrey in a nutshell. Now, don’t think I didn’t make plenty of mistakes and do stupid things, I just left those things out!
I moved to the midwest and started following the track circuit. I started working on the training farms, the gradually when trainers grew to like me and saw that I’d work my butt off for next to nothing, they started asking if I would help them at the tracks, first working horses in the mornings, then walkovers, lots of hot walking (of course) and I learned a LOT. I had already been in the “big” hunters/jumpers and riding my whole life, but golly I learned so many little day to day things that now I can’t imagine not doing. Prepare to feel blonde.
I worked in the mid-sized barns, not teeny weeny trainers, but not the top dogs either. The barn I just left, well the head trainer is a jerk and I would do a LOT of things differently, but I kept my big mouth shut and did everything as told, and in the end I learned a lot at that place, and I’m glad I stuck around and took the crap. Now, I work for a smaller outfit, great head trainer (very good to his employees, and horses), and I love everything about it. Two years ago, I couldn’t have imagined making it this far. Small steps, count a blessing every day…
It is a long hard road, but it is so worth it.
Your size, weight and “guts” will be an important deciding factor if you are aiming to be a jockey. Not to be a wet blanket, but riding race horses is VERY dangerous and only lasts a few short HARD years at best!! I’ve known some of the best female riders over the years and one bad fall will end all your hard work. An assistant trainer lives longer (you can continue to exercise and breeze) and the job leads to a longer career in the race industry. JMO.
[QUOTE=crosscreeksh;6193508]
Your size, weight and “guts” will be an important deciding factor if you are aiming to be a jockey. Not to be a wet blanket, but riding race horses is VERY dangerous and only lasts a few short HARD years at best!! I’ve known some of the best female riders over the years and one bad fall will end all your hard work. An assistant trainer lives longer (you can continue to exercise and breeze) and the job leads to a longer career in the race industry. JMO.[/QUOTE]
I have considered doing the assistant trainer thing as well. All I know is that I am very interested in the sport and gett’n a bit tired of the hunter/jumper world. I am the right size for being a jockey but I will be honest, as I have no experience in the sport, I don’t know that I have the guts for it. I would like to think so, but not sure. I think I will look into going to the Cooper’s for the summer. Thanks for all your thoughts!
