The Washington times., 1902-09-14
They Must Enter the
Stable as Mere
Children.
MUST KNOW THEIR MOUNTS
Many Styles of Riding Make a Success
full Boy, and He May Receive Bank
Presidents Income in Time = Some
Great Jockeys of the Past.

Gus. This Is well exemplined in the case
Of jockeys-the riders Of race horses.
There are dozen or more jockeys Of
American birth who are now earning the
salary Of railroad president who could
not, were they employed in any other
way, make more than enough money to
provide bare living. There are proba-
bly, not half dozen riders of thorough
breds on the turf who have even a fair
education. Indeed, one cannot recall a
single Jockey who could make enough
money by his school learning to support
a rabbit. let alone human being.
This, however. is not surprising, when
one considers their life and opportuli-
ties. The race horse jockey is reared in
school. He learns to talk by contact
with others. His speech is that Of the
stable; the patois of the street. He
learns only one thing-that a horse has
four legs: that race horse has speed
and stamina and disposition. 1t is his
business to learn how to get the most
speed out of the race horse. and in order
to do this he must study the animal.
1t is for this reason that the success
full jockey must Of necessity begin his
life career In the stable: yes, in the
very stall with the race horse.
He must learn the anatomy Of the
horse; he must study his disposition; he
must learn to gauge his speed; there
are score and more of things that must
occupy the thinking power of the jockey
before he becomes successful. And even
then there are comparatively few who
win success.
Begins Very Early.
The jockey, as rule. enters a train
ing stable when he has scarcely passed
the walking age. The business requires
that the horses have lightweight riders.
and. therefore. young boys are required.
The first thing taught a jockey when
he enters the stable of race horse is
to rub the animals before and after their
races. A good rubber is not always 20
be found, and often a rubber is COZ
demned to waste his usefulness in the
stall simply because he is a good one,
when If given a chance he might develop
into good rider.
1t is the main chance always with the
stable boy He learns to bestride .
horse as soon as he enters stable.
First he is intrusted with leading the
he is promoted to the position of ex-
ercise boy. From this. If he is lucky.
he graduates into a jockey.
Then conSs the crucial test, and in
nearly every case it develops tina, tie
jockey. after all, is born and not made.
He may be ever so we'll instructed, but
when he gets on a race horse all his
schooling counts for nothing If he has
not a natural aptitude for the saddle.
He may show good race now and then,
but when 1t comes to riding we'll all
the time, that is another thing. There
are any number of qualities that go to
make up successful jockey. He must
know how to sit his horse comfortably
and easily; he must know how to get
away from the pest; he must know
whether to rate mis- horse or whether %
sprint; he must know bow to avoid
pockets: he must know the disposition
Of the animal he rides: he must know
how fast his horse is running, and how
last he can run: he must know whether
he racer is firing under him or whether
he can keep up the pace he is travelling;
lie must know great many things; but
lboye all he must know the shortest way
home
The jockey that knows the latter
hing will win a great many races
more than he who knows how TO put up
vigorous finish.
There Are Many Styles.
This was the quality that won Tod
;loan his first success on the turf. 1t
vas afterward that he learned how to
ajole his mounts, and to put up a
trong finish
Naturally, the style of riding differs
Garrison. who was one OF
he best jockeys on the American turf,
Won his great reputation by being able
o ride a whirlwind finish. He got
very ounce out of his horse at the
wire. Apparently the animal was lift
d bodily past the winning post when
t was necessary. Garrison ruined many
fine race horse by his grueling fin-
shes, but he won races Jimmy
Garrison's greatest con-
emporary rival, was probably the bet
er all-round rider of the two. He
ron more races in one year on the turf
han Garrison did. and was quite az
rofcient in finishing.
Bergen was probably the best judge
I pace that ever bestrode a race horse.
ie could tell TO a second almost how
asst his horse was :,ing. aud was par
icularly valuable to trainer who de-
ircd to have his horse run in a cer-
ain time. AS he grew older. Bergen
ost some Of his cunning. and in his
ater years or the turf lost many q
ace by his error OF pace. He would
How his horse TO trail the field until
he stretch was reached and then cut
,ose Many a time he would get home
list In time. and many other times he
-Culd be there just too late. This de-
ire on his part, born Of his ability to
idge pace. was at last his undoing
OF the American riders today. prob
bly, the best is Winnie O'Connof. when
g wants to ride. O'Connor is a gradu-
te from Father Bill" Daly's school, as
ere Garrison and Mclaughlin, and
.any other stars. He often rode at Ben
ing in his younger days. when he was
nown as Little O'Connor." He attain
4 his majority only few weeks ago,
nd Is growing heavier all the time.
Tommy Burns Is one of the best jock
Us riding. but sometimes his arms are
20 strong. II is said that Burns cannot
cad or write. The only thing ne is
Bile to do successfully is ride and fire.
uent the Hobbies Of playhouses attired