Historical question about jocks

General racing discussion.

Moderators: Roguelet, hpkingjr, WaveMaster

Post Reply
User avatar
Sailor Kenshin
Starters Handicap
Posts: 638
Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2010 12:22 pm

Historical question about jocks

Postby Sailor Kenshin » Mon Mar 07, 2011 2:10 pm

When did jockeys start to 'downsize?' When did they start to shorten the stirrups?

I became curious about this since reading a semi-fictional account of the Morgan horse. At one point, the owners of some thoroughbreds challenge the Morgan to a race, and they specify that their jockeys are 'large and heavy men.'

They mention this so the Morgan will also carry a full-sized rider in the challenge, and not a mere slip of a boy. :wink:

So when did this move toward small men and short stirrups begin, and was it gradual or sudden?
Somebody bet on the gray!
Top
User avatar
Bast
Sophomore Sire
Posts: 3185
Joined: Mon Jul 05, 2010 7:59 pm
Location: SW Ohio

Re: Historical question about jocks

Postby Bast » Mon Mar 07, 2011 2:30 pm

Sailor Kenshin wrote:When did jockeys start to 'downsize?' When did they start to shorten the stirrups?

I became curious about this since reading a semi-fictional account of the Morgan horse. At one point, the owners of some thoroughbreds challenge the Morgan to a race, and they specify that their jockeys are 'large and heavy men.'

They mention this so the Morgan will also carry a full-sized rider in the challenge, and not a mere slip of a boy. :wink:

So when did this move toward small men and short stirrups begin, and was it gradual or sudden?


I believe Tod Sloan is the stirrup-leather shortener. Nothing succeeds like success, so he had plenty of imitators.

Small riders began well before child labor laws. Some weights from the 1900s could only be managed by children.
May 2013: Plan ahead now for the Phalaris/Teddy Centennial!
*****************************
A horse gallops with his lungs
Perseveres with his heart
And wins with his character. --Tesio
Top
User avatar
karenkarenn
Breeder's Cup Winner
Posts: 2145
Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2008 3:01 pm
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:
Contact karenkarenn

Postby karenkarenn » Mon Mar 07, 2011 5:38 pm

OKay so Sailor since you watched the Disney movie " Justin Morgan had a Horse"--- In his explanation to his friend he stated that they upped the sturrips so they have a forward position and so that they don't sit on the horses engine like you saw on the movie there.
1890 - 1909-- is around the time that it occured. It was uncomfortable but it slowly trickled in.
Top
User avatar
Sailor Kenshin
Starters Handicap
Posts: 638
Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2010 12:22 pm

Postby Sailor Kenshin » Tue Mar 08, 2011 6:56 am

I didn't watch the Disney movie. I read the book.

Thanks, all. I find this historical growth and development a fascinating subject.
Somebody bet on the gray!
Top
User avatar
Jorge
Moderator
Posts: 6234
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2004 4:48 pm

Postby Jorge » Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:02 pm

Apropos this question: How much did the positioning and riding style of Steve Cauthen changed when he moved his tack to England and Europe?
Top
cng
Allowance Winner
Posts: 274
Joined: Sat Jul 05, 2008 2:39 pm

Postby cng » Tue Mar 08, 2011 2:56 pm

Jorge wrote:Apropos this question: How much did the positioning and riding style of Steve Cauthen changed when he moved his tack to England and Europe?


Cauthen did all the changing, hell it even effected the wat he talked. That hillbilly-limey accent was one of a kind.
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Racing”