If you want to know how to be a jockey the first thing you should decide is what status you would like to ride under; a professional jockey or an amateur.
Professional jockeys ride for a living, and to get a share of the prize money in races won. Amateur jockeys seem to be more associated with steeple chasing horse racing (over the jumps) popular in the UK during the winter months, although some participate in the flat racing commonly associated with other horse jockeys.
There is no need for any academic qualifications to become a jockey. Being familiar with horses and having the correct body size, and riding skills are more important.
In the UK anyone above the age of 16 years can become a jockey, becoming an apprentice first, and prior to turning professional. It is better that you have some type of ‘horse’ background and enroll at one of the many apprentice jockey schools, or alternatively try to gain employment with an established race horse trainer.
To secure regular rides from trainers your weight is vital. For flat racing the ideal weight is 116lb, and for over the jumps your weight should be no more than 136lb. You should allow a little extra weight for you riding gear and saddle up to about 3lb.
With weight in mind your diet has to be strictly controlled. Very often on race days a jockey will consume no more than a little bread and a cup or two of tea.
Height is another important consideration. Generally speaking most flat race jockeys are diminutive, but occasionally some first class jockeys have been as tall as 5ft 10 inches, but more commonly the height is 5ft 6 – 5ft 7 inches.
It will be assumed by any trainer that you as a jockey will have a good knowledge of horses with regard to their origins and breeding habits. Further knowledge in relation to the gait and breathing patterns of the horse will equally be expected in order to judge the fitness of the animal to race, and to recognize any features of lameness in the horse.