Who are some famous horse riders that jump?

During a horse race, if someone is falling off their horse, are others allowed to help them get back on?

• I'm writing a fanfiction story and I am having one of the bad guys try and hurt one of the riders during a race. I want to have the good guy jump over or help the other guy who is falling off his horse help him get back on his horse. If this is a no way no how can't be done I would like to know so I can change that scene.

• Answer:

  No. A thoroughbred horse race doesn't take very long and the jockies are so intent on what is ahead and next to them that it is possible they wouldn't even notice. (They don't look back.) This sort of thing does happen, and if there is an accident on the track no one stops. The ones behind the accident just try to avoid it an keep going. There are medical and vetrinary people who run out in this sort of situation, so the jockies would just get in the way anyway. (In the worst case, when a horse has broken its leg, they put a screen around the horse and give it an injection. Not nice, but at least they don't shoot it.) Also, if someone did stop, they would never be able to win, there just isn't time no matter how fast the horse is. And winning is the only reason the jockies are out there. They are extremely competitive. Something else to keep in mind, is that thoroughbred horses are *extremely* skittish, and mean. They have ben bred from a handful of original horses, and so are very inbreed. They are extremely jumpy and the jockies get angry if you do something to provoke the horses (which I know from experience, but since I don't speak spanish I had no idea what the guy was talking about). Although, on the other hand, the trainers I am sure get along better with the horses because the animals are used to them. And in regard to your other horse racing question (it is in Voting now) unless the race is a closely watched one, the jockies have about as much lee way as hockey players. It can get really rough.