Talk about tough

Today I am reminded at how tough jockeys really are. Anthony Black at age 55 returned to riding after an accident left him with a pair of broken ribs and three broken vertebrae (basically a broken back). Dijigi Gladney has also recently returned to riding after five years recovering from his broken back. Joe Bravo has returned from a broken collar bone. With the Breeders Cup just around the corner Joe has returned to secure any mounts he may have. Again Alex Solis has made a remarkable comeback from his broken back. Myself I suffered a broken skull that left me in a coma for six weeks, during which I had three life saving brain surgeries. The doctors removed part of my brain and I was left with a hole in my skull. By the grace of God I am still alive. Jockeys have to be tough because when they don't ride they don't get paid. There are no contracts in racing where you earn money even while injured. Jockeys must heal and mend as quickly as possible to continue earning a living and keep from losing business. While on the sidelines you can count on someone else riding your horses and possibly losing them for good. A career ending injury usually ends in paralysis or death. When I was told I would never ride again my heart sank. Everyday I don't ride a little piece of me is chipped away. Jockeys all know that it is not a matter of if you fall but when you fall and how bad.