How can i get started on a racing career, i am 13?

I'm sure you know you first need to keep your grades up and finish High School. You can start setting your goal by working with horses on weekends, I believe it's always important to follow your dreams and starting young to prepare for your future is perfect. You could start now by looking into a jockey schools by checking area of desire on Internet, as said, anytime is a good time to prepare for you future. This is a tough call otherwise and the only alternative is if you know any trainers that will help you. You could call your local area race tracks/stables for work that may be available, for you need to start somewhere. The fact is, Jockeys are highly trained professionals who are contracted by licensed trainers to ride their horses at public race meetings. Here are some general facts about jockeys and their height and weight limitations, licensing, and horse ownership: All jockeys must have a riding license in the state in which they compete. A jockey must be at least 16 years old before he or she is eligible for a jockey's license. Jockeys own and are responsible for their own riding equipment, including saddles, pants, crops, helmets and boots, etc. As a rule, jockeys cannot own the horses they ride. Jockeys are independent contractors who are employed by owners and/or trainers to ride their horses. In turn, the owners and/or trainers hire jockeys through the jockeys' agents. Jockeys are not subject to height limits only weight limits. A rider can be of any height if he or she still can make the assigned weight, but it is generally limited to fairly short individuals because of the limits on a person's body. The average jockey has a light but athletic build, and body weight is anywhere between 108 to 118 pounds. The weight assigned for the Kentucky Derby is 126 pounds (including jockey's body weight and equipment). Jockeys typically range from about 4'10" to 5'6" in height. Also, At age 16, potential jockeys are eligible to begin an apprenticeship. These apprenticeships are the first step toward becoming a "journey man" rider. Here are some interesting facts about this phase of a jockey's career: An apprentice jockey is also referred to as a "bug boy/girl," because the asterisk that follows his or her name in the race program looks like a bug. When jockeys finish their apprenticeships, it is said that they "lose their bug." LOL! Apprentice jockeys are given an initial 10-pound weight allowance, meaning their horses carry 10 pounds less than the others until the time they win their fifth race, at which point the weight allowance is lowered to a 5-pound allowance from the fifth-race win to a year beyond or 40 races past (whichever comes first). When they win enough races, they lose their bug and receive no additional weight allowance. Exceptions to these rules are only made if an apprentice injures him or herself and is out of action. After completing an apprenticeship, a jockey becomes a "journey man" rider. Some riders waive their apprenticeship because they can't make weight with the added weight allowance. Typically self-employed, jockeys are hired by horse trainers to ride their horses in races. For each race, jockeys receive a minimum mount fee ranging from $35 to $100 and a percentage of the purse for first, second and third. The mount fee is paid regardless of the prize money that the horse earns for a race. Jockeys earn their living by competing in races. The more races they win, the greater their incomes. Aside from the large purses for first and second place, most jockeys walk away with a mount fee of only $25 to $50 for any given race. A few jockeys earn six figures or more a year, but most earn a modest income of about $30,000 to $40,000 a year in a sport that requires frequent travel and equipment expenses. Keep in mind too, and not to discourage you either, but this is part of what you need to know. Being a jockey is a dangerous profession. The risk factors that jockeys face are so high that premiums to cover these athletes are among the highest in all professional sports. Read on for more interesting facts about injury and safety precautions among jockeys. Because horse racing is so dangerous, an ambulance follows the jockeys around the track in preparation for an emergency. The Jockeys' Guild receives 2,500 injury notifications in a year. The average jockey gets sidelined by injuries about three times a year. Approximately 50-60 jockeys have been totally and permanently disabled at any given time, and more than two jockeys a year are killed in North America. Common injuries include concussion, bone fracture, trampling and paralysis. For further information or questions you will find it here (see contact page for asking questions) http://www.jockeysguild.com/ GOOD LUCK and again always follow your dreams :)

I wasn't a jockey, but galloped for 17 years - - the best thing to do at your age is to continue riding, ride as many different types of horses as you can, getting as many hours on horseback as possible, and start reading all you can about horses in general and tbs in particular. Don't you guys have pony races over there? I believe in England you'll have an option at some point to choose to go to a vocational school of sorts (rather than a prep for college or grad school) where they will actually teach you how to gallop properly - - something direly lacking in the USA! When you turn 16, you might be able to get a job at a racing stable (yard, as you call it). I don't know what sort of laws regarding age requirements you have there. Your height and weight at this time don't matter much. SInce your only 13, they might change a lot (though my height and weight didn't didn't change significantly. . . :-)