[RC] Young jockeys the future? - Rides 2 Far
> If I'm not mistaken the great TB Affirmed was ridden to a Triple >
Crown by a 17 year old boy.
An *exceptional* 17 year old...and then the trend went right back to more
mature jockys. While trying to see the typical age of competitors I did
run across an interesting unrelated phenomenon. The article by Jo
Arblaster describing the Australian team gave in depth bios of *riders*
but only the horse's names. Their riders are age 56, 38,40 (Wade), 63, 52
and 18. The 18 year old is a 2nd generation competitor.
Next comes the article on the FRENCH team by Leonard Liesens. He gives
only the *riders* name and then a full bio of the horse, so I have no
idea how old their riders are. Interesting difference in emphasis of
articles.
The American author, Pamela Burton sees fit to tell us about both the
*rider* and the *horse.* She does not tell any rider's ages except
Heather's at 25. I think it's safe to say the rest are 40+, some 50+
The youngest team appeared to be the UK.
As endurance matures on the international
> level, it will probably evolve into a "young person's (man and woman)
game." We old fogies may not like to admit it but with youth comes
faster reflexes, better agility, better balance, more quickness, more >
strength,
I totally disagree. I believe we become smarter, and tougher, and better
riders. So long as an adult stays fit, I'd take an older rider over a
younger one any day. I may have been more agile at 18, but I'm
definately stronger at 42. I couldn't begin to do at 27 what I can do
now on a horse. Of the juniors I've sponsored (and there have been many)
they always tired before me. I think they have shorter attention spans
and less patience with long term goals. That would hinder their
abilities as trainers.
I believe the main advantage the young riders have would be
fearlessness. Not fearless as in not scared of danger. Fearless as in
not scared of consequences of risk taking. I remember a fellow rider
telling me about a great horse he once had and he said, "I'll never go
that fast again because I know how easy it is to ruin one now. I won't
have the nerve". The foolishness of youth *could* be an asset if you're
pushing the ragged edge..but if I had to hire a jockey to put on a
valuable hrose I wanted to race again another day, I'd take a well
educated calculating pro any day.
Angie
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