jockey

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jockey
Black and White Jockeys , drawing by Carl Rudolf Huber , 1878

A jockey (also a jockei until 2017 ) is a professional horse rider . To qualify as a jockey, the person must have completed three years of training with a trainer, passed a final exam and won at least 50 class A races . These conditions apply to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

There are no official height restrictions, it is important to bring the required weight of 55 kg or less. Amateur riders are usually taller and heavier, but the weight of 60 kg must not be exceeded, as is the case with obstacle jockeys. The training is officially called Pferdewirt with a focus on racing . In addition to riding, the trainees are trained in the care, health, reproduction and body structure of animals. Many older racing riders who no longer practice the jockey profession or who cannot hold their weight become trainers or feed and stable masters .

Word origin and history

The word jockey is an Anglicism and comes from the diminutive of the Scottish first name Jock (English Jack for Johann), which is also used synonymously for "boy, riding boy" and has been in use since at least 1529. The history of jockeys as professional racing riders fighting for victory can also be traced back to England. The first horse races probably took place in the time of Henry II (1154–1170). A clear indication of horse betting is seen in 1522, and in 1599 the jockey is already mentioned in racing horse circles. The term jockey for a person who rides in horse races is in use from around 1660. In 1780 the term Derby was used for horse racing after the 12th Earl of Derby .

Jockey school

The only jockey school in Germany, also called the German Jockey School , has existed in Cologne since March 2003 . This was preceded by plans by the Central Association of German Horse Racing and the Directorate for Thoroughbred Breeding and Races with regard to the possibilities of promoting young jockeys in Germany. At the school, the profession of horse manager with a focus on racing is taught, a state-recognized training profession. During a three-year training period in a racing stable, the trainees learn how to ride thoroughbreds, first in training and later in races. The school is located in the area of ​​the Cologne-Weidenpesch horse racing track .

Female jockeys

Only 14 percent of US jockeys are female; they only ride 10 percent of the races. In the highest classes, the American Triple Crown races, they make up only two percent of the jockeys. Gender discrimination is believed to be the cause, as many more women than men can maintain the weight and in most other equestrian disciplines the overwhelming majority of athletes are female. One of the first very successful female jockeys was Wantha Davis , who won over 1000 races.

See also

Web links

Commons : Jockeys  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files
Wiktionary: Jockey  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Swiss Racing Equestrian Association ( Memento from September 3, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
  2. ↑ Amateur riders
  3. ↑ Interview in Trainer und Jockeys.de: Dream job racing rider! How do you become a jockey? ( Memento from October 12, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
  4. ↑ Horse proficiency exam ( Memento from December 26, 2012 in the Internet Archive )
  5. ↑ Ursula Hermann, Knaurs etymologisches Lexikon , 1982, p. 228
  6. ↑ Joseph Ritter von Hazzi, About the Horse Races ... , 1826, p. 16
  7. ↑ Jockey's Guild: History of Race Riding , 1999, p. 11
  8. ↑ Online Etymology Dictionary, Douglas Harper, 2013, on Jockey
  9. ↑ Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger from March 15, 2003, Between saddle and balance
  10. ↑ Why aren't women riding for roses at the Kentucky Derby? , Paul von Hippel, Katherine Keyes, Caroline Rutherford, CNN, May 5, 2017
  11. ↑ Wantha Lorena Davis's Obituary , Austin American-Statesman