I touched based with Louise Dillon on Instagram. She was kind enough to answer some questions about what she does with horses.
How much of your day/week is related to horses?
My days start at 3.30am where I head to the track to ride work. I ride for several different trainers, including my partner & myself who have a small team of our own horses in work.
Trackwork is a huge part of life, it is the foundation of teaching horses to become racehorses and having them fit enough to be competitive. We ride them 6 mornings a week, although my job is definitely a 7 day a week career!
What is it exactly that you do?
As well as riding horses Trackwork I am also a licensed jockey, so I ride horses in races. Mainly I ride in country QLD, although I do occasionally get opportunities to ride at provincial tracks throughout SE QLD. Also having our own horses in work means I do a lot of our barn work too!
In this field of work, is it possible to be a full-time professional and earning a liveable income?
Yes indeed! All of it comes down to your own work ethic and motivation… But there is definitely a demand for Trackwork riders and jockeys.
What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
Contact your local racing authority for steps on how to become licensed, or get around the local stables, talk to trainers/riders and see what it is they do.
Favourite horse memory?
Probably winning the Gympie Muster Cup on a horse I won 4 in a row on, Grande Casadora. She was so tough and just loved to win!
Future goals?
To expand our training business with my partner and concentrate more on our own horses.
Best thing about your sport/profession?
100% the horses. Spending time with them and watching them grow and progress is so rewarding.
0
20
20
Leave a Reply