There is a lot of pressure that goes on when you are a Jockey.  You are expected to perform at a high level all the time.  As a jockey, we are one of the fittest athletes in the world and have to be tough mentally and physically to control the 1000lb plus thoroughbred horses that we ride and also have to answer to the trainer when we come back after a race and explain why we didn't win.  If we win we look like a genious.  Even if we didn't have a perfect trip and didn't make the right decisions thru out the race, the best horse will over come our mistakes.(sometimes)  Then we can be on a long shot and ride the perfect race and catch all the breaks and get lucky to come in first.  Horses are similiar to people.  They don't always want to go to work or feel well.  When they are having a bad day it will show in there performance of the race.  There is no explaining this to the trainer when the horse doesn't run well.  It's very frustrating when this happens.  Especially when your the favorite and are expected to win.  There are so many ways a race can be lost.  But then on the other side of it, when everything goes right, you get the perfect trip, your horse is at there peak and ready to run there best race it seems you can do no wrong.  It's the most amazing feeling to win a race.  It gives you the most incredible EGO Boost and confidence that you could ever feel.

I just want the public to be aware of how incredibly hard jockeys work and try to win races.  We get a lot of grief from the fans when they bet and lose there money thinking that the jockey didn't try.  Our trade by design is a dangerous one.  Where often the reward(purse money) does not out weigh the risks we take on a daily basis. 

I have such passion for my profession and love learning about each horse I ride.  Feeling the power and energy that they give and the determination they have to win and be the best.  I love meeting the fans after a race and try to give them a glimpse of the excitement and energy that I feel after a win or a good finish by my horse.  Hope to see you at the races soon.