BEN'S BEAT: LEARNING HOW TO LIVE WITH AUTHORITY & LOOKING AT THE RISE IN STATUS OF FEMALE RIDERS

By Ben Saunders | Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Ben Saunders’ blog, Ben’s Beat, received an overwhelmingly positive response from HRO readers when it was first published recently. In this edition of Ben’s Beat, Ben look at what he considers to be one of the biggest challenges facing apprentice jockeys and he also presents an overview of the rising status of female jockeys throughout the country.

Firstly, I would just like to thank everybody for the positive response and all of the good wishes I received after having my first article published last week. It really is appreciated.

The feedback included several questions. One question in particular came through from various people … namely, what is the most difficult thing facing apprentices in terms of them making the adjustment to the profession as a jockey?

The answer is not as simple as the question.

As in all walks of life, everywhere, I think the hardest part of the many tests apprentices have to pass is bowing to authority.

Since we have moved away from the old apprentice master situation, where the master, as well as being a mentor, was like a parent to his apprentice giving him or her a solid grounding … the whole apprentice operation has definitely got more businesslike. There is more of a business frame about it.

That business frame includes an education program with on-going theory, written and practical procedures which the apprentices go through. Although an apprentice now is more his or her own boss than ever before, in that structure where they have to follow the line of authority and the quicker they understand that the better they will do.

There is so much more they have to learn they shouldn’t create a problem where there doesn’t need to be one … and most take that on board.

My point is that when you are young and come into a new environment, where the learning curve is pretty steep, you will have your ups and downs mentally. At certain times you won’t like the authority figures or the things they ask of you in your life, but you have to overcome that.

Most of the other things you can learn from somebody else.

With this, you have to teach yourself … which is why the answer to that question, in my opinion, is the hardest part of the many tests apprentices have to pass is learning how to live with authority.

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Another question I received concerned the rise and rise of female jockeys … both in ability and in numbers.

There is no doubt they are becoming a force in racing.

The number of females applying for, and then coming through, the apprentice schools around the country confirm the upward number trend.

As far as ability is concerned there are a few arguments to support their rise in profile.

One argument against female riders has always been that the strength of the male jockeys outweighs the finesse of the female riders, particularly in a driving finish … but, although you will never change some people’s minds on that old school thinking and there are trainers who will always want the strong male rider, the fact is that times have changed and are changing.

Racing is no longer as tough on horses today as it was in past years. Therefore, it can now be argued that, with their finesse, female riders can get as much out of a horse as the strength of a male rider.

The kind touch, the softer approach, their gentleness itself … these have always been huge assets for female riders but … with the whip rules etc now … these attributes have gained in influence.

If you like, the gap, between the strong nature of the male and the gentler nature of the female in terms of what part that all plays in the outcome of races, has been closing.

Even on the strength level … you have a look at the best woman today riding in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne … who our girls would look up to … and you’ll find they are very strong. In fact, you’ll find it very hard to notice the difference between the males and females in action at that level.

So, on any assessment of ability, you will find confirmation that female riders are definitely on the rise.

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Please keep those questions coming

Until next time

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