Amateur race riding has been in existence for as long as racing itself and has never been as popular as it is today. In 1995 the Lady Jockeys Association and the Amateur Riders Association amalgamated to form the AJA. The AJA has over 500 Full Riding Members, many Life Associate Members and several Honorary Members and aims to protect and promote the interests of all its members, both male and female, in an increasingly professional world.The AJA aims to:

1. improve the standard and safety of all amateur riders
2. encourage amateur races under both codes
3. find sponsors for such events
4. act on behalf of its members by providing recommendations to the various regulatory and administrative racing bodies
5. select and finance amateurs to ride abroad
6. play an important part through its seat on the Industry Committee in the formation of the policy of the British Racing Industry

Do I have to be a member of the AJA to ride in Amateur races?

Yes, for the majority of races confined to Amateur Riders you are required to be a member of the AJA. However, you do not have to be a member of the AJA to ride in Hunter Chases.

How do I join the AJA?

You need to complete a membership form which is available from Linda Tripp or Andrew Dutton at Weatherbys, Sanders Road, Wellingborough, Northants, NN8 4BX, by fax on 01933 304779 or downloaded from the website here. Weatherbys are the membership administrators of the AJA. You can join the AJA by telephone by calling Linda or Andrew on 01933 440077 or on 01933 304778.

How can I pay the membership fee?

You can join immediately by simply calling 019343 304778 and paying by debit or credit card. Alternatively you can send a cheque (made payable to Amateur Jockeys Association) with the AJA membership form (download it from this website) or have your Weatherbys account debited. Current membership fees are £75 which is for a full 12 months from date of joining.Membership of the AJA now gives automatic worldwide insurance against temporary injury whilst riding out or handling a racehorse or point-to-pointer, with incapacity benefit of £100 per week payable after the first 30 days of injury for up to 104 weeks. (Please note that this cover does not include any capital benefits (such as death or permanent injury payments) but simply offers financial assistance whilst incapacitated.) You can become a member of the AJA even if riding in races is not your plan but you simply would like to purchase the insurance, as this is at a very competitive price - approximately a quarter of what you would have to pay for an individual policy. There is an age limit of 70 years of age.

Do I require a new application form completed each year?

Yes please. This is in your own interests as it is important that details such as your address and contact telephone numbers are kept up to date. Also information on the numbers of winners you have ridden is vital as the AJA often receive requests from trainers for amateurs who have ridden a specific number of winners. By keeping our records up to date, we can help to find opportunities for amateur riders that might otherwise go to professional jockeys.

What benefits are there to membership apart from being able to ride in Amateur races?

1. The AJA is a recognised body that represents amateur riders and amateur racing in Great Britain. It acts on behalf of its members by providing recommendations for the various regulatory and administrative bodies in racing, and has a representative on the Industry Committee of the British Horseracing Board.
2. As described above, membership gives you automatic worldwide insurance against temporary injury whilst riding out or handling a racehorse or point-to-pointer, with incapacity benefit of £100 per week payable after the first 30 days of injury for up to 104 weeks. Please contact the AJA if you need to claim for injury.
3. Inclusion in The Riders Directory on the AJA website is available to all members. This is a useful place to advertise your skills for potential rides and you can even include your photograph.
4. Various discounts are available to AJA members on products and services.
5. The AJA Newsletter is sent out quarterly to all members, giving news, views and notices from the Jockey Club, as well as a list of amateur races planned for the near future.
6. Under the amateur rider’s riding permit, newly improved insurance cover is included from weigh out to weigh in on the racecourse in respect of death and bodily injury as well as rider-to-rider cover.  This is worldwide cover for anywhere with a recognised Racing Authority but if riding abroad please doublecheck with the AJA before you leave.
7. As a member of the AJA you are automatically a member of FEGENTRI, the international organisation which co-ordinates a series of amateur races throughout the world. British amateur riders have ridden in over 20 different countries in the last few years and we are constantly seeking new opportunities for our members to enable them to ride abroad. Each year one lady and one gentleman amateur rider is selected by the AJA to represent Great Britain in the FEGENTRI series. To be eligible for selection, you must have ridden a minimum of 5 winners under Rules, have the time and energy to spend many of the summer weekends abroad, be able to ride at 9 stone for ladies and 10 stone for gentlemen, and be able to conduct yourself at all times in a diplomatic fashion.
8. There are also occasional invitation races abroad for amateurs to which you may be invited, even without 5 wins already achieved.
9. The AJA offers help and advice at all times on all matters concerning amateur race riding, such as sponsorship and rules of racing. You are ambassadors for the sport of amateur racing. Please refer controversial issues to the AJA as soon as possible.

Can I join the AJA on the day I am due to ride and do I need to show my membership card when I ride ?

No, your details are stored on Weatherbys database and when you are booked to ride your membership status is automatically checked. However, you are required to be a member of the AJA by 1pm on the day of overnight declaration of the horse. You can join immediately by phoning 01933 304778.

If I join the AJA at the end of the year do I have to pay again in January?

No. A rolling system has been introduced whereby you purchase a full 12 months membership on joining. You will be sent a reminder letter by Weatherbys a month before your membership is due to expire in order that you do not forget to renew it.

What about insurance?

As stated above, your AJA membership now gives you automatic insurance for riding out and handling racehorses and point-to-pointers anywhere in the world. Your riding permit gives you insurance for riding under Rules on the racecourse itself.

How can I express my views on the AJA and amateur racing ?

You can contact the AJA via their website or by telephone or post on the contacts given.

Are there any social events arranged by the AJA?

The AJA arrange a Northern Annual Dinner Dance and a Champions Cheltenham Christmas Craic at Cheltenham Racecourse at which the year’s champions and runners-up receive their cups and trophies. The AJA also entertain owners, trainers and amateur jockeys on the racecourse whenever they sponsor races.

Advice for amateur riders at the races

• You are an ambassador for the sport of amateur racing.
• Have good protection on your calves - you will notice the difference when you first race ride after the comfortable saddle and clothes that you wear for riding out!
• Always walk the course before you ride and familiarise yourself with the route to the start as well as to the finishing post.
• Once you have weighed out, never leave your saddle unattended.
• Make sure that you leave the weighing room promptly when called to go into the paddock. Don’t be late!
• Try not to do overweight - but don’t make yourself feel ill by trying to do light - be sensible so that you feel fit and well and can ride to the best of your ability. Carrying overweight looks amateurish so please try to avoid it.