Horse racing is one sport of which you will only see in flashes in the media. It is a favourite sport, (if you go by the statistics of people who attend races), yet not so widespread, going by the amount of coverage it gets in the media. Well, there are entire sports channels dedicated to horse racing coverage, but the attention does not come anywhere close to that which other sports such as football and rugby get.
Elite Sport
Perhaps the reason why there is not so much attention given to horse racing is that it is considered an elite sport, hence not so marketable to the average sports fan. Moreover, the sport is sort of self-sustaining, with many racecourses having their own media coverage arrangements besides mainstream channels.
Horse racing is also closely associated with betting, hence widely viewed as a form of gambling. This is despite there being as many bets placed every day on football than there are in a single festival of horse races.
That horse racing is held in spaced events across the year may also be a reason why it does not attract as much following as the sports that are played week-in-week-out. It is possible, however, for anyone to get involved in horse racing in whichever capacity they like.
Getting Involved in Horse Racing
The main opportunities available in the horse racing world include jockeying (riders) and training. One can, however, be involved in support tasks such as course maintenance, record keeping, and horse care.
- Jockeys
These are the people who get on top of the horses and guide them during competitions. They work with trainers to develop both their own and the animals’ skills, to create a formidable combination of man and beast.
To become a jockey, you will need to first get conversant with horses, perhaps by working as a helper on a horse farm. You will also need to own the correct equipment. Horse riding shoes for example, are not similar to other sports shoes, and are placed in their own category in online stores.
- Trainers
Trainers are the people who teach racing strategy to jockeys and racehorses. They are usually former jockeys themselves and, less often, people who have worked for a long time on breeding farms. It is, however, not easy to move straight into training without becoming a jockey first.
You can still get involved in horseracing without having to get on the course or the farm. Becoming a spectator at the races is just as gratifying (okay, it may be a little less thrilling). The atmosphere at the races is always electric, and a place to have fun, both from watching the races and hanging out. Horse races are usually held at festivals, stretching over several days, as opposed to games which end in a few hours.