from exercise rider to thoroughbred jockey

Question
hello ma'am. my friend, an exercise rider in indian thoroughbred racecourse, would like to become a jockey in USA. he has been riding racehorses in the workouts since 5 years. he has finished his engineering here in india, he's so talented that he can persue his masters but his life time achievement is to become a jockey even though is he is working for less wages. he is dedicating his life for horses. he has good communication skills and gives a good feedback to the trainer. he rides 13 to 14 horses at all gaits in the morning. he is regular and punctual, very daring and a strong finisher. handles all horses of different age group, gender, class. his age is 30 years, his height is 5feet 7inches and his weight is 67kgs. he would surely reduce his weight to 50kgs. he would excel as a jockey if he's given correct jockey training. so, can he become a jockey ma'am? we all have great expectations on him.

Answer
Hi and thank you for the inquiry.

Your friend is very wise to want to come to the USA to study as we have some fabulous equine programs here.  One prominent school is the Equine Industry Program at the University of Louisville ( Louisville, Kentucky's College of Business.)

Another school and the one that might be of the most interest to him as a jockey candidate, is The University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program.   Here is link to an ebook Careers in the Racing Industry:  http://www.ag.arizona.edu/rtip/images/careers_in_racing.pdf

And here is a link to their scholarship program:  
http://www.ag.arizona.edu/rtip/students/rtip_scholarships.html

Both schools should have departments that can better advise your friend and professionals who can help him with his education decisions.

I hope that helps to point you in the right direction.

Best wishes,

Maureen Millen
www.RacehorseTrainersTest.com