Problems at Work

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Jellybeanz383

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Hi everyone

I was wondering if someone would be able to help me. I have been working at a racing stables in Epsom Downs for the past year and a half on the weekends. I started working there because I felt it would be the best experience I could get in my quest to become a professional flat jockey. I will be doing the 9 week foundation course at the BRS in August and I have managed to get work experience in the Czech Republic for 3 weeks in July. My boss still doesn't seem inclined to let me ride the racehorses. Whilst I fully appreciate the fact that my confidence is not quite jockey-fied and that not all the racehorses are owned by my boss, a little bit of support and encouragement could probably improve my confidence a lot. All I seem to do is muck out all the horses on the yard. I don't mind mucking out and I quite enjoy the work out; however, I hate to admit that I am getting bored of doing the same thing every week with no variety. I have my own insurance to cover me for riding racehorses so there would be no worry there. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can prove to my boss that I can do it and I'm not a useless sack of potatoes like they seem to think?

Thanks
Jellybeanz
 
It depends what you were employed as?
If justva weekend help then maybe they don't need avithee rider, or don't want the hastle of training you.

If it was agreed that you would train and ride and wanted that experience then I'd be miffed that I wasn't getting it.

Can you speak to your boss and request riding?
 
I think racing is almost as bad as acting, and modelling in that your quickly replaced my someone younger, and they may think more useful.
I live not far from Newmarket and they are always advertising for staff and pay people to ride out, so if you are a descent rider(some of them look as if they have never sat on a horse) you should get rides. They pay some just to muck out. My friends daughter got paid for holding horses for the farrier.
I would start looking for another job, if they do not want to develop your skills you should look for someone who will. Perhaps you will not make a jockey but there are lots of different jobs in racing, but its tough.
 
We're you originally employed with a view to ride race horses? Or as general yard help?

I would sit down and ask for honest feedback from your boss, you could say that you are asking in view ofgoing to the racing college . It could be that they don't believe you are as skilled or experienced as you may think, it could be a insurance matter (particularly if you are young) or they may not have the time to help you progress.

If you are struggling for rides but want to stay, can you come up with a plan to help get you more experience in the racing sector with your boss - e.g could you start going to races to help groom? Or preparing at home for races? Could you start riding ex-race horses if they yard does some of the schooling for their after racing career?

It would all be valuable experience.
 
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