Jockeys’ school sees significant improvement in students’ skills
Coordinator Paul Ramsay pleased with progress; cites modern teaching methods and equipment as key factors
Paul Ramsay, coordinator of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) Jockeys’ Training School, says the commission is thrilled with the progress made by the 30 students enrolled in the 2024 programme.
In just six weeks, Ramsay said the students have shown significant improvement in their theoretical, practical, and physical skills.
“So we have mathematics and English class and then we have race riding theory. This is when we use the cognitive learning ability of the students now to do the practical, enable them to understand what is required of them in order to make strategic decisions on a race day and also all-round whilst on horses,” Ramsay said.
“So it is proving very beneficial at the moment and we’ve seen a lot of improvement in this era and as it is now I’m pleased to say that we will now have properly educated riders. Riders who know how to be dedicated, how to be disciplined, and how to execute their duties on a race day effectively and efficiently in order to serve the racing industry that the public will feel much pleased when they come and wager on a horse,” he further said.
Ramsay, who is also an internationally accredited steward, attributed this success to the modern teaching methods and equipment used, such as the equicizer, a riding simulator used in North America and Europe.
“The practical entails these individuals exercising horses early in the morning and then we will now put them on the equicizer. This instrument is used all around in North America and also in Europe. The jockeys use this in order to increase their riding ability.
“It’s really correcting these individuals on the spot of their riding length. They see a posture, they learn how to use the whip change, they learn how to coordinate, they learn how to hand ride, and it has been doing wonders.
“I currently know students in the classroom now saying that they practise the changing whip a couple of mornings and it was like they have never done so and they are doing it now quite easily. So that’s how good the programme is and that’s how good practical riding is where we correct these individuals on the spot,” Ramsay explained.
While acknowledging that not all students are at the same level, Ramsay is confident that by the end of the programme they will be equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the racing industry.
“The jockeys’ school will teach these students how to manage a horse, how to ride, and I can tell you that now, we have riders now that have graduated from the school with a modern style of riding, in terms of riding, rhythm, coordination, balance, which has much improved over the years.
“We are preparing these individuals for the market overseas. You know, we are currently seeing that our jockeys are now migrating to other racetracks and riding and doing well. So we want to just want to elevate the sport at all times that our racing, you know, has to improve. We cannot continue in the old tradition of riding style, and these students will grasp the importance of doing things the modern and the correct way,” Ramsay said.
Ramsay said that special races are planned for these apprentices, including an 800-metre race on Jamaica St Leger Race Day for exercise riders enrolled in the school, with more opportunities in subsequent terms to ensure all students gain practical racing experience.
“On July the sixth, St Leger Day, there’s a race on the cards over 800 meters straight and it’s for four-year-old and older horses. [they will] only be ridden by exercise riders enrolled in the 2024 Jockeys’ Training School.
“All 30 students can’t ride in this race, as you know it is a 16-horse field. Well, we’re going to have other races in the second term, two other races coming around the turn, and we agree that probably in that class we’re not going to even get 16 starters. We hope we do, but all those who are not able to book a ride then, they will have the chance, they’ll get their chances, in the second term.