Young woman demonstrates true grit in pursuit of jockey dreams

Sammy Jo is no stranger to big dreams. The 24-year-old woman wants to become a jockey, so she's doing everything in her power to make that happen. Riding top racehorses is a challenge for anyone, but it's even more of a feat when you're a woman. You see, women have to work incredibly hard to advance in the sport of racing, which is dominated by males.

But that doesn't scare Sammy Jo. She's willing to work hard and make sacrifices now so that she can enjoy a career as a top rider in a few years. Those sacrifices mean spending long hours in the saddle, often staying out until late at night and rising incredibly early in the morning. It also means a strict diet and an intense workout regime.

In addition to having to "break through" in a male-dominated sport, female jockeys face another obstacle: The sheer strength required of a jockey. Jockeys must ride horses weighing 1,200 pounds or more at full gallop, and they have to be able to support themselves in a crouched position for 3 minutes or more. Racehorses are taught to lean on the reins for support and balance, so a jockey must be capable of supporting that additional weight. It's no small feat for any athlete.

But women can, and do, become top jockeys. Take Julie Krone, for example. Krone began her career riding show horses but transitioned to jockeying. She won top races including the Citation Handicap, the Hollywood Derby, and the Woodbine Mile. In 1994, she was awarded the ESPY Award for Best Female Athlete. Krone has also been inducted into the United States Cowgirl Hall of Fame, the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame, the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, and the National Women's Hall of Fame.

Krone's career is an example of what females can accomplish in racing if they put their minds to it. Krone is known for being an incredibly talented, but also an incredibly hardworking rider. It's that determination and grit that makes successful jockeys.

With a bit of luck and her continued training, perhaps Sammy Jo can look forward to a successful career as a jockey.