tips on preparing for the british racing school...

[GeorgiReadman]

hi I really want to become a jockey and would like to go to the british racing school. I want this more than i've ever wanted anything in my life. My weight is fine (if anything struggling to stay above 7 stone so would like to put a bit of weight on!) and i am working out a program to get myself fit enough. however any advice of what to expect if I go and how to handle the interview would be very much appreciated! also as strange as it sounds i have a slight problem with the food side of things. I literally have a phobia of most fruit and veg due to bad food poisoning when i was younger and cannot bring myself to eat it which is a Huge obstacle for me... if by any miricle someone has gone through something similar how did you overcome it? thank you for reading any advice will be incredibly helpful

 

[dressedkez]

My son went to BRS - it is an excellent course.
In his cohort there were those who had grown up with ponies / horses, and those that came from racing backgrounds. There were also those who had never previously sat on pony. From memory at graduation, one of those who had no previous experience came out top of the class!
They judge at interview on commitment to an interest in racing - I doubt they will quiz you on your diet. During your time at BRS you will get lectures on nutrition.
The beauty with doing this course, is if you are accepted you are guaranteed a job at the end. It is tough 9 weeks of 6am - 9pm, but my son who went there 5 or so years ago still has friends from the course - and he is now know longer involved with horse racing - but he did have about 3 years of riding thereafter and secured 3 wins in point-to-pointing.
Go for it!!

 

[GeorgiReadman]

Thank you it's appreciated. I just worry about the diet issue as ideally would like it sorted before going as it's going to be hard enough without struggling to eat the right food :S and of course the right nutrition is important when trying to become physically fit

 

[Ella19]

Speak to your doctor and they can arrange for you to speak to a therapist or nutritionist as appropriate

 

[Tai.Ni.Po.Ni]

Maybe try smoothies ? Very healthy and don't resemble fruit. I have a banana smoothie every morning

 

[KierelyMiss]

When are you going? If its soon take layers lots and lots and lots of layers, good gloves and hatss!!!

Incase you can't tell when I went it was freeeeezing! Also try and eat carbs, pasta with tuna is great, good energy which helps riding out, as weather doesnt come in to it!

 

[GeorgiReadman]

Hahah I wear about 10 layers up my yard anyway lol xD I'm really sensitive to the cold so I wrap up and cos I wear so many layers I end up looking like a human bowling ball! Thankyou for all the advice you can only get so much from the internet and hearing from other people about their experiences there is probably what will help me more than anything else. I haven't applied yet but I'm extremely determined to get there after I've finished this year at college

 

[Spotsrock]

Grow tough skin. Groups of young people banter and it may get crude!

 

[GeorgiReadman]

I can definitely deal with banter xD pretty much everyone in my family has been in the army at some point and the other half was in the marines so I've kind of had to get used to it :L

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

The harsh reality - Man Up! Get over your issues! And then think of going to Racing School.

It's a great industry to work in but don't expect to become a jockey overnight. You will have to prove yourself and find a trainer who believes in you to give you half a standing as a jockey. If your not good enough they won't beat about the bush and will tell you so. If you show signs of talen then they will bend over backwards to help you so long as you help yourself.

 

[EMC]

Hi,

I went to the BRS...my tips....

- Take lot's of dark johdpurs, the 'uniform' when I went was dark blue or black johds. Don't bother with expensive ones, unless you go with the clique and by a set of BFJ breeches which have the lyrcra lower legs. Boots with a zip are much quicker for putting on than boots and chaps, silly but when you are rushing from breakfast back to the yard you need every minute!

- Fitness wise, they will get you fit both through riding and the physical exercise training they do. It is best to go there being able to run maybe 2-3 miles at an easy pace, also press ups, sit ups etc as well. We had an initial fitness test to establish our weaknesses and all pupils on my course did their own physical exercise on top of the scheduled exercise. Running along the gallops in the evening was a good one!

- Practice mucking out quickly, to a high standard. I had one straw box and one shavings box and each had to be spotless. I'm not sure if they use wheelbarrows now but we had tarps which we mucked out onto the wrapped up and slung over our shoulder to run (yes, run!) to the muckheap. I wish I'd practiced the mucking out first, you have so much to do there try to do the easier tasks quickly to leave time for the harder more time consuming tasks. You may also have to muck out with the horse in the box too, they will show you how this is done.

- You will ride different horses, two lots a day. Initially in the indoor school. Practice riding with short stirrups, without using your reins for balance. You will be require to demonstrate a 'martini glass' position in all gaits and be able to effectively steer the horse around the school before they let you on the gallops.

- Practice bridging your reins, and 'changing hands', this was done before every change of gait with my course ie. shorten reins, change hands and ask for trot, same again for canter. You may well canter on the simulator with your arms held out to the side in the martini position before being allowed to canter, this is fun and will test your balance!!

- Practice putting up/taking your stirrups down whilst your feet are in the stirrups and the horse is walking. At the end of a lesson we would do this, run our stirrups up and jump off the horse, landing on the left side and carry on walking on our horse without missing a beat. Also practice doing up your girth whilst mounted and walking, knotting your reins too. Legging up is a big one, you must be able to spring effectively and even better if you can mount without being legged up although this may not be necessary.

- Lots of bandaging, putting on travel boots, bandages and gamgee, tail bandages etc. they might have 'how to' sections on their website to show you how they like it done. Grooming to a high standard is essential, muzzles, bums the whole lot. The horses are used to it but pay particular attention to any special instructions outside stable....I didn't and still have a scar from a horse that needed to be muzzled when being tacked up.

- General horse care and care of the racehorse, academics are hard when you are tired and sore so learn as much as you can to make it easier.

The interview is your chance to show yourself off, be smart, punctual and polite but make sure you highlight both your strengths and some weaknesses....I said I was new to racing but I was proving my determination by working with local trainers, working my way up from mucking out to finally riding my first racer. I knew I had less experience so I had to work hard.

Most of all, be yourself. Show your willingness to work hard, and work as part of a team too. Always ask if you are unsure and stay calm. The instructors are brilliant and will get you through but it is very hard work, and you will feel like giving up at some points but don't! As for the food....they provide a wide range of food, porridge with banana flakes was my staple!!!