Veteran jockey Jeff Jacobs. (File photo)
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Veteran jockey and trainer Jeff Jacobs is elected to lead the newly formed Antigua & Barbuda Jockeys/Horse Riders Association.
Jacobs will lead a nine-member executive as they look into the affairs of riders, trainers and others associated with the day-to-day running of the sport here in Antigua.
The rest of the executive that was elected at a meeting over the weekend includes Vice President Laura Lyn, Secretary Joycelyn Benjamin, Treasurer Daverson Welsh, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Hansen Richards, PRO George Dowdie and Floor Members Clair Wilkins, Leroy Campbell and Shorn Lewis.
Speaking with OBSERVER Sports on his election, Jacobs said he is honoured that he has been given the opportunity to take the helm, and that the main drive of the association will be the interest of those directly associated with the sport.
“The mindset is that it is to help young jockeys and to train young riders and also to look in different ways to create benefits for the riders and to get some rules going in riding and trying to seek insurance and different things for the jockeys,” he said.
“We are going to try and source some helmets and vests for all riders that are going to use the tracks so that every rider that goes upon the track will be wearing these equipments just like every other race track you go around the world. I use my safety equipment at all times but others do not and those are some of the rules we are trying to get in place. Once you are going to be a part of this organisation and you are going to use the track, you have to be equipped,” he added.
Jacobs added that the newly formed association would seek work in harmony with Antigua Turf Club in trying to implement some of these measures.
“The association will work along with the turf club somewhat, but the mindset for us really is to try and improve the use of the track safety equipments, insurances for jockeys, and different ways that we can develop riding in Antigua. My association will try to put these things in place but with the help of the turf club, of course. If they can assist, we would be very happy,” he said.
Antigua Turf Club will host its Mothers’ Days meet on May 13 at Cassada Gardens Race Track.
