Jockey - Working conditions
Tioke
Working Conditions
Jockeys work at stables and racetracks, usually outdoors in all weather conditions. They may spend a lot of time travelling to race meetings throughout New Zealand or overseas.
Jockeys and horses at the starting gates
Riding equipment
Equipment
Equipment jockeys may use includes:
- a protective vest (which is compulsory)
- riding boots
- a helmet or skull cap
- a whip
- a range of saddles and bridles
- colours (silk race jacket and jodhpurs worn on race day and provided by horse owner).
Hours
Jockeys work long hours and they also work evenings and weekends.
"When long weekends and public holidays come around we are working hard while everyone else is relaxing - that's just the nature of the job."
Darryl Bradley - Jockey
Contact with people
Jockeys usually work independently; however, they have a lot of contact with trainers, horse owners, farriers, veterinarians, other jockeys and the public.
Updated
September 2009
