- Do I have to be a member of the AJA to ride in
Amateur races?
- How do I join the AJA?
- How can I pay the
membership fee?
- Why
when I pay by Direct Debit do you require a new application form each year?
- What benefits are there to membership apart from
being able to ride in Amateur races?
- 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?
- If I join at the end of the year do I have to pay
again in January?
- How can I express my views on the AJA and amateur
racing?
- Are
there any social events arranged by the AJA?
- What about insurance?
- Advice for Amateur riders at the races
Yes, for the majority of races confined to Amateur Riders you are required
to be a member of the AJA. The exception is Hunter Chases.
Weatherbys are the membership administrators of the AJA. An application form is
available from Kelly Edwards at Weatherbys, Sanders Road, Wellingborough, Northants, NN8
4BX, or by fax on 01933 304779.
You can send a cheque with the application form (made payable to Weatherbys
Group Ltd, have a Weatherbys account debited with the fee or pay by Direct Debit
by completing the tear-off strip on the application form.
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 important as the AJA often get requests from trainers for amateurs
who have ridden "less than 25 winners" for instance. By keeping our
records current we can often find opportunities for riders that otherwise may
have gone to a professional.
- 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.
- 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.
- Various discounts are available to AJA members on products and services as listed on the membership page.
- The AJA Newsletter is sent out quarterly to all members, giving news, views and notices from the Jockey Club.
- Members applying for a Category B permit are entitled to a subsidy of £100 from the AJA on successful completion of the course. Please contact the AJA for details or ask at the British Racing School, Newmarket.
- Under the amateur rider's riding permit, insurance cover is included from weigh out to weigh in in respect of death and bodily injury. However, please note that this does NOT extend to temporary disablement cover and no cover of any description is provided off the racecourse. Please refer to the Insurance section for more details.
- 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.
- The AJA offers help and advice at all times on all matters concerning amateur race riding, such as sponsorship and rules of racing. Remember you are ambassadors for the sport of amateur racing - please refer controversial issues to the AJA as soon as possible.
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.
No, all riders joining in November or December are also entitled to
membership for the following year (subject to payment of any additional fee
due to an increase in the membership fee).
There is a 'contact' section on this site that enables you to gives us your views. You can
of course call or email any of the Association's officials on the numbers shown
on the contacts page.
The AJA arrange an annual dinner and dance as well as entertaining riders,
owners and trainers on the racecourse when sponsoring races.
We advise our members to take out private insurance to cover themselves whilst riding. The
application form clearly sets out the cover provided from weigh out to weigh in, but this
DOES NOT cover temporary disablement and NO COVER of any description is provided off the
racecourse. We recommend that you contact British Equestrian Insurance Brokers of
Hildenbrook House,
The Slade,
Tonbridge,
Kent.
TN9 1HR
Tel: 01732 771719
Fax: 01732 359982
e-mail: beib@globalnet.co.uk for an individual quotation.
- Remember you are an ambassador for the sport of amateur racing.
- Always look tidy and respectable.
- Never leave the weighing room in your colours without wearing a jacket or blazer over the top of them.
- 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.
- Once you have weighed out, never leave your saddle unattended.
- Make sure that you leave the weighing room when called to go into the parade ring. Don't be late into the paddock!
- 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.
