Jockey/Exercise Rider Question

Question
How old do you have to be to get your exercise rider license??? Is the minimum age for a jockey 16???

Is the best way(other than a jockey school) to get your jockey license to go work at a racing stable?? How do you get certified???

Answer
Jessie,

I believe that the minimum age to get an exercise rider's license or a jockey's license is 16.  That may differ in a few states, but as far as I know they all have a minimum age of 16.
Most jockeys start out as exercise riders.  They already know how to ride horses, and then get a job exercising at a local farm.  Once they are good at just galloping, then the trainer will start letting them breeze horses.  (Breezing them is when they run at full speed for a short distance,instead of just galloping.)
If they turn out to be good breeze riders, then the next step is to find someone to let them ride races.
To get your license on the racetrack, which is what I guess you mean by certified, you have to go before the stewards, and then ride for the outrider at the track.  If both of these are confident that you know what you're doing, they will grant you a jockey license.

Good Luck,
Stephanie Frost
www.alchemybloodstock.com