JOCKEY Info
According to the National Steeplechase Association, the apprentice policy reads:
NSA Apprentice Rider Policy (Hurdles)
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New applicants shall have ridden in five (5) races (acceptable to the Stewards Advisory Committee) over fences at Point-to-Points or three (3) sanctioned races over timber prior to being granted a NSA provisional license to ride over hurdles.
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An apprentice jockey license shall be considered “provisional” by the Stewards Advisory Committee until the jockey wins two (2) hurdle races or completes ten (10) sanctioned rides over hurdles, whichever occurs first. Additionally, the Stewards Advisory Committee reserves the right to determine whether an apprentice jockey is permitted to ride in any hurdle race.
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An apprentice jockey shall not ride in a maiden hurdle race prior to having completed five (5) sanctioned hurdle rides and then must be approved by the Stewards Advisory Committee. Additionally, a horse which has fallen or lost the rider in two of the horse’s last five starts or in the horse’s most recent start, will not be an eligible mount.
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An apprentice jockey shall not ride a first-time starter over hurdles prior to having completed five (5) sanctioned hurdle rides and then must be approved by the Stewards Advisory Committee.
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An apprentice jockey shall not ride a three-year-old in a hurdle race prior to having completed five (5) sanctioned hurdle rides and then must be approved by the Stewards Advisory Committee.
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An apprentice jockey may not ride in a hurdle race at the flat tracks prior to having completed five (5) sanctioned hurdle rides and then must be approved by the Stewards Advisory Committee.
Note: All apprentices are prohibited from riding at any NYRA track.
SOTA has put together Apprentice Rider pages to help these jockeys get the rides that they need in order to earn their license.