Section 294-11.001 - JOCKEYS11.001.01 Each jockey and apprentice jockey must obtain a license from the Commission.11.001.02 The license fee shall be as listed in rule 10.007 for each jockey and apprentice jockey.11.001.03 No person under sixteen (16) years shall be granted a jockey's license.11.001.04 No person who has never ridden in a race shall be granted a license; however, by permission of the Commission and the stewards, a temporary license may be granted for the riding of two races and if approved by the stewards and the Commission, said temporary license may be replaced with a license.11.001.05 No jockey licensed in Nebraska shall be the owner or part owner of any race horse racing in Nebraska unless special permission is granted by the Nebraska State Racing Commission.11.001.06 A jockey shall faithfully fulfill all engagements in respect to racing. Inability to fulfill engagements must be reported to and receive the approval of the stewards.11.001.07 A jockey may not ride in any race against a starter of their contract employer unless their mount and their contract employer's starter are both in the hands of the same trainer.11.001.08 In riding a race, a jockey must be neat in appearance. All riders must be dressed in clean jockey costume, cap and jacket of silk, satin or waterproof, white or light breeches and top boots. In all races, jockey's must wear approved safety helmets and safety vests, the weight of which shall not be included in the jockey's weight. The safety vest shall weigh no more than two pounds and be designed and manufactured in accordance with standards defined by the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) at the time of manufacture.
11.001.08 A Unless he obtains the approval of the stewards prior to leaving the paddock, a jockey may carry in his hand no item of any kind other than a whip, whip substitute, or horse's reins until after the finish of the race when he unsaddles the horse at the placing judge's stand.11.001.09 Jockeys shall wear a number on their right arm (also on their left arms, if the judges' stand is inside the infield) and it and the saddle cloth number shall correspond to the number of the horse in the official program.11.001.10 Every jockey who is engaged to ride in a race shall report to the jockey quarters not less than one hour before post time for the first race. Jockeys shall then report engagements and overweight, if any, to the clerk of scales, and thereafter shall not leave the room, except to view the races from a point approved by the stewards or to ride in a race, nor have any contact or communication with any person outside the jockey room other than an owner or trainer for whom said jockey is riding, or a racing official, or a representative of the regular news media, unless by permission granted by the stewards, until all of said jockey's engagements of the day have been fulfilled. However, the stewards may in their discretion permit jockeys engaged for later races to report at a later hour.11.001.11 All jockeys must pass a physical examination once a year before the commencement of a meeting, affirming fitness to participate as a jockey. The stewards may require that any jockey be reexamined and may refuse to allow any jockey to ride until such an examination is successfully passed. If a jockey has previously passed such an examination prior to riding at a track in this state, a physical fitness card signed by the examining doctor that shows that date upon which the examination was made must be presented to the Commission.11.001.12 No jockey shall make a bet on any race, with respect to the race in which said jockey is riding, except through or from the owner or trainer of the horse said jockey rides, and then only on that horse to win.11.001.13 An owner or trainer must receive permission to substitute a jockey for another previously engaged, and must pay a losing mount fee to the rider previously engaged in the event the rider does not obtain another engagement in that race. (See Chapter 11.003.02)11.001.14 A jockey's fee shall be considered earned when the jockey is weighted out by the clerk of scales. The fee shall not be considered earned if the jockey, of his or her own free will, takes off a mount, where injury to the horse or rider is not involved. Any condition or consideration not covered by the above ruling shall be at the discretion of the stewards.11.001.15 In a dead heat the jockeys involved shall divide equally the sum of the fees they would have received individually had one beaten the other or others. Likewise, the owners of the horses involved shall pay their equal share.11.001.16 A jockey who is under suspension will not be permitted to fulfill any engagements except as provided for by these rules. A jockey under suspension in any other state will not be permitted to ride in Nebraska during such suspension. 11.001.16A Immediately prior to the start of a race meet the stewards appointed for that meet shall designate the stakes, futurities, or futurity trials or other races in which a jockey will be permitted to compete, notwithstanding the fact that such jockey is under suspension for ten (10) days or less for a riding infraction at the time the designated race is to be run.11.001.16B Official rulings for riding infractions of ten days or less shall state: "The term of this suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races".11.001.16C A listing of designated races shall be posted in the jockeys' room and any other such place deemed appropriate by the stewards.11.001.16D A suspended jockey must be named at time of entry to participate in any designated race.11.001.16E A day in which a jockey participated in one designated race while on suspension shall count as a suspension day.11.001.16F This rule shall apply only to riding infractions involving suspension of ten days or less and shall not apply to any other type of violation or suspension. 11.001.17 The suspension of a jockey for an offense not involving fraud shall begin on the second day after the ruling, unless otherwise ordered by the stewards. A suspension for fraud shall begin immediately after the ruling.11.001.18 A jockey, whose license is temporarily suspended may be permitted to exercise or gallop horses during the morning hours and to lodge on the grounds of the association at night.11.001.19 A forfeiture must be paid by the jockey personally and any other person paying it shall be subject to punishment.11.001.20 Jockeys may have one agent and no more. Engagements to ride, shall be made by themselves or their agent. The one making the engagements shall be held responsible for the proper maintenance of an engagement book. (See Chapter 11.003.04.)11.001.21 No jockey shall have an attendant other than those provided by the association.11.001.22 Employers retaining the same jockey have precedence according to priority of the retainers as specified in the contracts.294 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 11, § 294-11.001
Amended effective 9/24/2020