Young jockeys in Newmarket
In the first half of April, just after Easter, the Polish Jockey Club in collaboration with, among others, Totalizator Sportowy (National Lottery company) and Służewiec Racetrack, sent a group of 11 young riders for 5-day, intensive training at British Racing School in Newmarket, England.
British Racing School is one of the most important training and educational centres for horse racers. Jockeys from all over the world benefit from the knowledge and experience of the instructors working at the School. The Polish Jockey Club decided to enable young racers to explore the potential of that place. The objective of the training course was to develop riding skills: improving balance, perfecting training and race riding skills, working on physical fitness and supporting the riders in their preparations for the season commencing upon their return.
During the training, experienced instructors focused on the correct position of the trainees’ bodies during gallop and encouraged pace awareness. All classes were filmed and later analysed thoroughly. The participants also took practical classes in show jumping.
An important element of the training were classes at the gymnastic hall, during which the physical endurance of the participants was improved while they were also informed how to carry on working on their physical condition after returning to Poland. An interesting moment during several days of classes was learning the correct way to fall from a horse. The class was conducted using a special simulator. The instructors explained how to fall safely and what position of the rider’s body will ensure their maximum safety.
The group was looked after by an experienced trainer, Richard Perham, and his assistant Agnieszka Słobodzian. They were both impressed with the efforts put in the training, as well as the technical skills exhibited by the riders.
As demonstrated by the beginning of the season and race results, trainer Perham was absolutely right. The very first race of the 2015 season on the Służewiec racetrack was won by a participant in the training – Anna Gil. Other trainees are achieving very good results as well.
