If there is a dead heat, the two horses split the combined purses of the positions they finished in. If there are fewer than five horse in the race, the winning horse gets the left over purse money. Experience with horses is the most important factor. Whether you have been surrounded by horses all your life or if you have never sat on one, it is most important to get the experience before you can even start the process. Also, a jockey s weight must be between 100 pounds and 115 pounds with around 108 being the optimum.
Most people come to the racetrack where they learn the ropes from the bottom up.
You must know horses and the way they react to many things to be competent as a rider. Often a trainer will take a beginner and teach them slowly by allowing them to ride horses around the barn or at the farm. Usually calmer, more even tempered horses are used for this. The more opportunity to ride, the better. Once the trainer feels the person has enough experience, they may take them out to the racetrack where they can exercise horse in regular training.