Jockeys, how exilerating is racing??

[Roo]

(any type of racing, unsure if I can use the name jockey to catagorise everything but don't know what else to call them, and even if you have just had a go etc)

I get terrified at a gallop and constantly feel like my nose is going to get broken LOL and that is on my slow cokey
- Just interested really It looks pretty scary

[black crow]

Although i didnt become an apprentice jockey [trainee jockey on the flat, basically.]
I exercised several in-training racehorses and exercised a family members racehorses as he wanted me to become a jockey [RIP Eric] so he got me doing small hurdles, which after being so used to more controlled gaits of canter and small galloping around SJ and XC courses, it was very different.

I've always loved galloping, and i still have such a big buzz for racing. Im almost too old to become a conditional or apprentice jockey, which saddens me a lot as if it wasnt for my health problems, id probably be a licenced jockey by now, or atleast a good apprentice/conditional. I never made my mind up about which i wanted. If i really could have, i'd loved to have been a conditional. I've always wanted to ride in the national.

It's risky, and it gets the adrenalin going big time. Once you get used to the way TB's gallop and how to control their gallop, its actually very enjoyable, although the entire time you are very aware of what is going on. You need to stay concentrated on everything your body is doing. This also counts as TB's can be highly unpredictable horses, so you need to keep your eyes and ears open, no matter how much you are enjoying it.

Although i love XC and SJ and always have done, exercising racers was always a big favourite of mine. Im disappointed that i never got to officially race.

[Denmania]

I work in racing, so my job is to exercise racers on the gallops at home, and 'school' over hurdles/fences etc.

There is nothing like it! The buzz of galloping in a string of horses is amazing, I was actually thinking it today. I had my 4 favourite rides, all of them like to go on their own in front so I set the pace and it was a beautiful day, I couldn't stop smiling!

I know loads of jockeys, point to point (more like amateur jump racing) and professionals, and they love it, you can just tell. There's no way they would do that every day, risking life and limb just for £160 a ride, they love it, you've got to, to do well in it.

I was talking to someone who rode in the Grand National on Saturday and we were talking about the race and he said there's nothing like it. It's more than a job, it's a way of life.

I would love to have a go in a race, but I don't think I have the bottle for it. I have so much respect for people who ride in races every day, especially the good ones. I think anyone can ride on the flat, but it takes a lot more skill to be a jump jockey.

[RacingGirl]

the thrill of riding work is better than sex! I have ridden work against some of the best jockeys in the world, going up a gallop upsides, clanking jerks and thinking your the best, is just awesome!

[eeek]

RacingGirl I rated your post because I was about to say the same thing!

Winning a race is 100 times better than sex. I can't even describe how amazing it is. You've got the adrenaline pumping through your body, you're dripping in sweat, you're exhausted and you're sitting on this amazing block of solid muscle who feels exactly the same way as you! (Hmm, didn't mean that to be a vivid description of post-sex. I truly was trying to describe racing. So in a sense it's kind of similar, with the added bonus that you've just survived rather a dangerous activity. Also, anybody can have sex, pretty much. But to win a race takes years and months and weeks of hard work.)

It is such an amazing buzz. For all of you who have wanted to race and don't think they have the bottle, just do it. I didn't have the bottle, and it was crippling me. I'd race, but my nerves ruined so many races for me. I still loved it more than anything in the world, and thought of nothing else, but hated it at times as well!
The turning point was riding a horse I'd never ridden before, who transpired to only be able to turn left, and who had a mouth like steel and no brakes. That day, all logic left me. The fear was so great that I couldn't contain it - and then it just disappeared. Now that I've learned how to push the fear out of my head RACING IS SO MUCH FUN!

When I go onto the track I think to myself what a lovely day and how lucky I am to be doing this. If a small part of my brain starts to pipe up 'but it's so dangerous' the rest of my brain replies 'rubbish'

I highly recommend trotting. It is a lot cheaper and safer than point to pointing!

[Roo]

It looks so fun!! And I have great respect for you all!!!!!

[eeek]

Forgot to say - the other day after a particularly good workout on the hill with Vinny, I went into work beaming so much that people were asking me if I'd just got laid!

[sparkey]

Exercising a racehorse is on my list of 100 things to do before I die! I just need to convince a trainer to let a 27 year old girl who's never ridden up short before to let me up on one of their horses!