Worst Job In Sport (I'll Go For Apprentice Jockey)

[paulllambert]

1. Getting up in the early hours, in all weathers, to get to work.
2. Mucking out, cleaning, feeding, riding out temperamental animals.
3. Stinking of horse do.
4. Travelling hundreds of miles when offered the (rare) chance of a race-ride.
5. Possibility of meeting being abandoned (or horse being withdrawn), when you have driven those miles.
6. High chance of injury (or worse) every time you ride.
7. Having the eyes of all the racing fraternity every time you're in the saddle.
(i) Owner, making sure you ride the horse properly.
(ii) Trainer, ditto.
(iii) Bookmakers.
(iv) Stewards.
(v) Punters.
(vi) Claire Balding.
8. Possibility of verbal abuse from punters (talking through their pocket) if you don't deliver.
9. Unable to have a decent meal/drink, because you need to watch your weight
10. Working with dwarfs.

I'm sure it has it's pluses, but I'm struggling to see any.

[Buenchico]

At least apprentice jockeys are doing much of that in their working time. Many amateur sportsmen have to go through some pleasant experiences and still do as full day at work/college/school as well. I'm thinking, for example, of the pupil I used to teach who was the European Youth Silver Medallist at white water rafting. He had to be up at 4am, seven days per week, to train on the River Don (in all weathers and frequently in near-freezing water) for several hours before starting his school day. (Life can't have been very easy for his father either, as he had to be up at the same time every day in order to drive his son to and from the river before going to work!)

[Buenchico]

^^^as = a
(I really must learn to check my typing before clicking 'Submit'!)

[DTCwordfan]

Cutting the lawn here, Wimbledon it ain't and it's just been done.

[Sycamore3House]

You forgot to add to your list

1.Owner ranting and raving at apprentice jockey when horse unseats jockey during race.

2. Hope A P McCoy has retired by the time I make it.

But they and all Sportman love their sport.

[Tuvok]

One jockey was a right Monkee.