Hi guys, I’m an experienced rider with about 20 years practice in hunter/jumper/equitation, dressage, etc., and I’m moving to New Zealand in May. There’s a huge racing community there, and in looking for riding jobs I’ve come across some track work positions. I’m curious whether hunter/jumper riders transition into or also do trackwork/galloping, and whether this is a pretty natural transition to make? I want to keep my options open and not turn down anything horsey, but I also don’t want to get out over my skis or get into something that’s a totally different world. This might be a dumb question anyway, but I wanted to see if anyone can speak to this situation! Cheers, Morgan
In the US, many exercise riders learn on a farm, which is much less busy than a racetrack. I don’t know about NZ. Galloping race horses is nothing like riding h/j. You need to finesse like crazy and totally avoid getting into a pulling match because they will outpull you, guaranteed. You need to be able to get them to relax and gallop along at a medium pace without trying to run off. You know with a jumper that is dragging you to the jump so you sit up and hold? You don’t want to do that with a race horse because the “hold” part lasts for 5 minutes and you will fatigue first. So, if you can get nervous and energetic horses to relax, you will do fine. If you always count on your strength, you may be in trouble. BUT it’s really fun, so give it a try! Please keep us posted.
It really depends on what type of rider you are- are you brave, able to think for yourself and naturally have the right reactions to problems? If you do, then you may be fine. If you’re timid, or get unbalanced easily, or you aren’t sure what to do when a horse rears, so you spend a lot of time thinking about what to do instead of reacting, then you won’t be fine.
Its a 100% different way of riding. It is a little different in New Zealand then it is here, I think they may have more hill gallops and such, so your h/j background may be a good thing- just because you do know how to balance a horse and whatnot.
Its not a crazy idea, you just have to be really honest with yourself and potential employers. Most people are more than happy to teach you if you work hard and show up. They may want you to groom some first, and that’s not a bad thing- you can learn a lot about what goes on by being on the ground.
I event and gallop and it’s definitely a learning curve.
The woman my daughter trains with has always done both. Plus jockied over fences. She’s from an old Virginia horse family that raced and fox hunted. I can’t speak to the specific riding techniques. But I will say that as a byproduct she is hands down the best at retraining OTTBs. She knows how to select the prospects that have the most scope. She knows why they have their weird quirks and how to work it out of them. They imported a horse from Ireland once. Other than that, I don’t think they’ve ever paid more than low 4 figures for a horse. And they’ve made some of the best in the country over the years.
She’s also extremely skilled at horse first aid thanks to managing the timber racers. Overheating horses, injuries, horses freaking out, etc. At our local shows she’s the one the organizers and other trainers start yelling for when something happens.
So i’d say go for it and see what happens. If I hadn’t turned totally chicken on horseback after the birth of my children it is something I’d love to have done.
Yes, it’s a switch that many exercise riders have made. Yes, there is a lot to learn, many changes to make in your riding. But a good start in h/j or eventing (and surprisingly, dressage) is often a good start in galloping racehorses. The trick is to find the RIGHT trainer to start to work for, one who can “bring you on” just like they bring on a young racehorse. Someone who has experience and success in training young/green exercise riders. Because if you get in with the wrong people, your best interests may not be paramount.
Don’t be surprised if you are first put to work in a “non riding” role. Lots of people make claims about their riding experience, and are keen to get on their first racehorse. But a good trainer will want to get to know you first, before actually taking the risk of putting you on a horse. They will want to see you handle a horse on the ground, see how you approach a young horse, how much you already know, and what you need to learn. If he puts you on a horse, or puts you on the wrong horse, the horse is at risk of injury. And the health and soundness of horse is the trainer’s first responsibility. Take this time to watch the riders, talk to riders, get to know some of the other exercise riders. Because they will be your teachers, much information can be gleaned from good, experienced exercise riders who will be riding beside you.
Good luck.
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Besides what’s been mentioned already…do you like going fast and can you think and act fast enough to react to a horse carrying some speed? Can you sit through some antics in relatively open spaces without getting panicky or wanting to halt and back up or do small circles to solve it?
Sounds stupid but if you’ve spent all your years of riding a controlled, slow pace going around in small, enclosed areas? It’s not at all. Not talking about a dead out run here either, even regular gallops carry far more speed then ring work and many trying to make the transition learn they don’t like the increased pace.
And absolutely expect having to work your way up, lots to learn including the smaller saddle and radically different seat. Much to learn and some physical adjustments and conditioning ( legs, arms and shoulders), but it’s absolutely possible. If NZ is like GB in their race training techniques and routine, it should be an easier transition then the US routine,
Good luck,
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Maybe get a little experience eventing or fox hunting to see if you like going FAST
