New Jockey Matters Film receives Positive Feedback at Jockeys Seminar
An audience of 18 Apprentice jockeys were the first to view the latest film in the Jockey Matters series entitled ‘Injury: Returning to Riding’. The jockeys were attending the BHA 7lb Claiming Jockeys Seminar run by the British Racing School, held on Wednesday 23rd November at the Northern Racing College.
The film focuses on the mental and physical challenges facing injured jockeys who want to get back riding as soon as possible and the range of support available to help them do this. The film features contributions from Jason Hart and Sammy Jo Bell who have both spent months in rehabilitation following falls on the Flat whilst Harry Derham speaks about the fall that led to his eventual retirement from race riding and how serious the mental impact of a serious fall can be.
JETS Manager Lisa Delany said, “This is an area which unfortunately affects many jockeys and we’re keen to show that it is possible to turn time off with injury into something positive. We hope that injured jockeys will watch the film and that it will help them with their rehabilitation.”
Lisa Hancock, Chief Executive of the Injured Jockeys Fund said, “We are pleased to see more and more jockeys taking such a proactive and positive approach to their rehabilitation programme and the IJF team has an excellent team of professionals on hand to aid them on their road to recovery.”
The film received an overwhelmingly positive response from the jockeys who attended the seminar with Russell Harris, Apprentice Jockey with Karl Burke, commenting: “The film gave a really good insight into all the staff that are available to help you when everything has been turned upside down through injury. The film shows that injury does come with the job but that you shouldn’t worry as there are brilliant people out there who do a magnificent job and they get a buzz out of seeing you perform better than you did before the injuries. It made me see time off with injury as not being on the sidelines but time to get fitter than ever and it could even make you a better jockey in the long run.”
For the first time, the seminar was held at the Northern Racing College, in a bid to make it easier for Northern based jockeys to attend. Further changes to the format of the day have been made following feedback from the first of the ‘new look’ seminars held in July including a revised session on resilience training as well as more interactive sessions including a race riding tutorial with Michael Hills.
Jockeys also had the chance to practice their interview skills and get tips from RUK Broadcaster Lydia Hislop as well as developing their Personal Development Plans with JETS Jockey Personal Development Managers Phil Kinsella & Lisa Delany.