Why do jockeys have high pitched voices

I know one way makes horse people and the other way makes people horses, but I forget which is which. Call me dumb, but I just never remember this book-learning sorta stuff. Site search Web search. Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend Bookmark this thread. This topic is archived. Printer Friendly Permalink Top. Advertisements [? The amount of weight carried depends upon the type of race the horse is entered in.

Jim Rader, etymologist, Merriam-Webster, Inc. Some, such as jockeys, instead go to extreme lengths to stunt their growth — sometimes down to the size of a pre-pubescent child.

In an industry where just a few extra pounds can rule you out of a multi-million dollar race, jockeys are put under enormous pressure to meet miniature weight requirements. Though there is no height limit for jockeys, they are usually fairly short due to the weight limits. Anatomically having a smaller airway space and shorter vocal cords create a higher-pitched voice.

Think of the thinner strings on a guitar or fiddle; they produce the highest sound. The bowtie is not a mandatory piece of riding equipment for a jockey.

I guess one could wear it as his or her fashion statement, but doubtful. The best jockey of all-time is William Shoemaker. He was born in and rode his first winner at the age of 18 years old. Want to be a jockey? Get ready for a lot of hard work. Most riders started their careers by working for a trainer, cleaning stalls, hot-walking horse, and riding horses in the morning.

However, there is a jockey program offered in Kentucky at the American Racing Academy. To get accepted, you must have graduated from high school and have experience riding horses. Most states allow an apprenticeship license at 16 years old. Once you receive your apprenticeship license, the next step is to become a journeyman jockey.

To rise to this level, you must meet specific health requirements, take an exam, and have a certain amount of time associated with a stable.

Check the rules in your state because the requirements vary by track and state. To be successful, a jockey has to be able to maintain a low weight without losing strength. To drop pounds but not power requires dedication and mental toughness. A jockey controls an animal moving extremely fast while balancing himself; this is a challenging feat to accomplish. The weight, a horse, must carry is assigned for each race.

The amount of weight is determined when the conditions of the race are written. Usually, three days before running. The few days of notice gives the jockeys time to adjust their weight accordingly. Sometimes a jockey will carry extra weight during a race. Surprisingly, the shortest American jockey ever is Julie Krone. She won the Belmont Stakes and became the first female ever to win a Triple Crown race.

The shortest jockey ever in the world was Kenneth Glover of Yorks; he rode as a year-old and stood 4 foot tall. A few jockeys have been considered the tallest, but one stands above the rest, Manute Bol.

He got his license to be a jockey and rode to raise money for charity. But the tallest person who made a living as a jockey is Stuart Brown. Brown had a successful year career racing horses. No, the rules of horseracing require that a rider must cross the finish line on his horse.

The more interesting question is, does the jockey have to be alive when he crosses the finish line. The horse won the race. There have been female jockeys in the Kentucky Derby, and the first was Diane Crump in She was a trailblazer in the sport of horse racing. She was the first female jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby. She was also the first female to ride in a sanctioned race.

Since Crump shattered the glass ceiling, there have been other female jockeys to ride in the derby, including Patti Cooksey. Cooksey was the first female to ride in the Preakness Stakes, finishing sixth.