02-05-2025
How this Kentucky equine program trains jockeys for success
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — While the sight of a horse running on a track captivates many, there's a unique artistry in the rider as well that consists of balance, skills, and horsemanship all in one motion.
When you think about legendary jockeys, you think of names like Frankie Dettori, John Velazquez, Laffit A. Pincay, Jr., and many more, but getting from their early stages to where they are now doesn't happen overnight.
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In Lexington sits the only racing academy in the United States, the Bluegrass Community Technical College (BCTC) Equine Program. This program provides students with the education, training, and experience needed to succeed within the equine industry.
'They offer you, from ground zero, the opportunity to learn everything you need to know to get to a training facility or farm that has thoroughbreds that is a part of the racing industry. They make sure that you are prepared when you enter the industry, said BCTC equine student Jay Delozier.
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Every jockey has to start somewhere in their career, and BCTC offers an opportunity for those with dreams of riding on the first weekend of May. Regardless of whether that goal is achieved, the program equips riders with skills and opportunities that extend well beyond the racetrack.
'The more I'm in classes, the more I'm like this is where I want to be. Even if I don't become a jockey or an exercise rider, I've learned about all kinds of cool places I could work someday', said BCTC Equine Student Holly Brown.
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