For a person who is familiar with the back room requirements and practices in horse racing, knowing how to become a horse racing jockey is fairly common knowledge. For those who have decided to pursue the career because they fit the basic description of a jockey and are drawn to the horse racing experience, it may be difficult to find the starting point if they have no connections in the business to advise them. It's unlikely that the category "Horse racing jockey" will be included at a job fair.

Jockeys are some of the smallest professional athletes in the world. They usually are between 4'10" and 5"6" and weigh 108 to 118 pounds.http://animal.discovery.com/tv/jockeys/horse-racing/jockeys-101/general-facts.html

Being a jockey is a considered as one of the most dangerous occupations. Since 1940, 128 jockeys have lost their lives in horse races and many more have been seriously hurt. Spinal cord and brain injuries are the most common injuries, with some leaving the jockey partially or totally disabled. Approximately 1/3 of the injuries suffered by the jockey or horses occur at the starting gate. During the race itself there are a number of things that can go wrong for a jockey and his horse. Clipping the heals of other horses, jumping over shadows, or a snapped bone have sent a number of jockeys to the hospital and have resulted in very dire consequences for the horse.http://equineink.com/2010/05/02/riding-racehorses-one-of-the-most-dangerous-land-based-jobs/

A jockey climbs aboard an animal that is 10 times his size and does everything in his power to get his horse to run as fast as it can all the while competing with other jockeys and horses that are all traveling at about 35 mph.

Safety equipment is almost nonexistent for jockeys. They don't have a safety belt nor do they wear any type of padding. They have no protection other than a helmet. They're dressed in silk which is not known for its protective qualities when a person is slammed into the hard race track or even into the turf.

Being a jockey is not usually very lucrative, unless of course, you're blessed with the talents and drive of super jockeys like Willie Shoemaker or Calvin Borel. Most jockeys only average about $40,000 a year.

It goes to reason then that there must be a something else that persuades a person to want to become a jockey. If you asked any jockey, even those who have been seriously injured why they do it, they will more than likely say it's because they love the sport and the horses. Even though they are fully aware of the dangers, this love that they have for the "Sport of Kings" is a dominating force in their lives and they will keep returning to the track.

Prior to receiving mounts in a race horse race, there are a few basic requirements that the jockey must satisfy. The jockey:

• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Must have a riding license from the state in which the jockey is competing.
• Must have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of horse history, behavior and patterns, as well as horse grooming.
• Must be able to spend a considerable amount of time at the track working with the horses.
• Must be able to handle a horse which includes being able to calm the horse but at the same time being able to control the horse.

In addition:

• In many countries, accreditation from a recognized school or training facility is required.
• Riding equipment is not provided by the track nor stable; the jockey must have his own equipment.
• There are no height restrictions but he/she must maintain a specific weight, which is usually between 108 and 118.http://animal.discovery.com/tv/jockeys/horse-racing/jockeys-101/general-facts.html

The main requirement for being a jockey, or for working with horses in any manner, is dedication to the horse with the primary concern being the horse's well being. As a jockey that person becomes a part of that horse's life either temporarily or long term. Being able to deal with the horse's temperament and needs is a huge part of the job. In this unique sport relationship between a man and an animal, the jockey and the horse must be able to trust and rely on each other.

In 1988, jockey Chris McCarron realized that there were no professional jockey schools in the United States that provided the proper credentials required in other countries. After McCarron retired in 2002, he pursued an opportunity to open a top-notch jockey school. His dream was realized in 2006 with the opening of the "North American Racing Academy" in Lexington,KY. The NARA offers a two year program during which the students are trained and prepped for the life as a jockey. Students who finish the courses receive an associate degree. The school is partnered with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. Besides receiving the expert advise of Chris McCarron, other well-known trainers and horse owners also are instructors of some of the courses.http://nara.kctcs.edu/

Apprenticeships programs are also offered to become a journey man rider. It is not required that a jockey go through the apprenticeship program, but it is advisable. During the apprenticeship, the rider gets certain weight allowances on horses in races. During the first phase, the rider gets a 10 pound allowance which means that the horse he's riding is racing with 10 pounds less than the horses with non-apprentices. After the jockey wins 5 races, the allowance is dropped to 5 pounds for the following year or 40 races, whichever comes first.http://animal.discovery.com/tv/jockeys/horse-racing/jockeys-101/apprenticeship.html

If you don't have the qualifications for being a jockey, but would love to work with horses at the track, the position of "Outrider" may be for you. The "outrider" is the person mounted on the horse that is presenting the horse to the starting gate and retrieving him at the end of the race. Being an outrider requires excellent horse riding and handling skills.

These people tend to just blend into the entire background of the track but are actually as big a part of the race as the horse and jockey. The outrider and horse are there to calm the race horse, to catch loose horses and to respond to accidents. This is truly a labor of love. There isn't wide spread name recognition attributed to this career but within the horse racing world a talented outrider is highly respected.http://horse--1.com/2009/06/12/horse-racing/167/

There are plenty of other jobs working with the horses at the track that can be pursued. Groomers, exercisers, trainers, are all necessary at the track. If you have a special knack with horses and love being around them contact a track near you and inquire about jobs available.