What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Starter position at Emerald Downs?
Job Category: Part time seasonal
Reports to: Starter
General Description
Racetrack starters oversee the start of each horse race, ensuring that all horses are loaded quickly and are all set for a fair start. Once all race entrants are loaded into the gate and are standing attentively, the starter presses a button that simultaneously rings the starting bell and flips open the magnetic gate doors.
Generally, each assistant starter leads their own horse into the starting gate and then hops up on the side of the stall until the gates open. If a horse proves to be a challenge to load, the starter may direct the gate crew to use a variety of loading techniques such as the use of blindfolds or gate blankets, having the jockey dismount for loading, opening the front gate to encourage a horse to enter, or having gate crew members band together to physically push a reluctant horse in.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Education and/or equine experience. Experienced and knowledgeable in horse racing. Controlled temperament with excellent patience for difficult horses. Respectful and high level of integrity. Excellent communication skills, calm under pressure, and possess agility. Good intuition with horses and quick to action when problems arise. Also a good understanding and willingness to follow all safety procedures of Emerald Downs.
Special Requirements
Fast paced, dangerous work environment. Must be comfortable with the dangers associated with horse such as: kicking, bucking, rearing, flipping, biting, etc. Communicate with guests, staff, superiors, horsemen, jockeys, trainers, and horses with courtesy and respect. Physical abilities are, but not limited to: standing, running, jumping, lifting, bending, walking, climbing, balancing, and twisting. Also exposed to all kinds of weather, loud noises, and cramped spaces.
Tools & Equipment
Protective gear and horse leading/training equipment.
Reports to: Starter
General Description
Racetrack starters oversee the start of each horse race, ensuring that all horses are loaded quickly and are all set for a fair start. Once all race entrants are loaded into the gate and are standing attentively, the starter presses a button that simultaneously rings the starting bell and flips open the magnetic gate doors.
Generally, each assistant starter leads their own horse into the starting gate and then hops up on the side of the stall until the gates open. If a horse proves to be a challenge to load, the starter may direct the gate crew to use a variety of loading techniques such as the use of blindfolds or gate blankets, having the jockey dismount for loading, opening the front gate to encourage a horse to enter, or having gate crew members band together to physically push a reluctant horse in.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Responsible for the entry of horse and rider into starting gate according to planned sequence and stall number.
- Assist rider when a horse refuses to enter the starting gate and reports undue starting delays to racing officials.
- Assist starter and trainers in schooling horses
Education and/or equine experience. Experienced and knowledgeable in horse racing. Controlled temperament with excellent patience for difficult horses. Respectful and high level of integrity. Excellent communication skills, calm under pressure, and possess agility. Good intuition with horses and quick to action when problems arise. Also a good understanding and willingness to follow all safety procedures of Emerald Downs.
Special Requirements
- This is a position which doesn't require much formal education (however equine studies are always a plus). Trainers and track mangers will probably be more concerned with track experience and knowledge of race horse temperament.
Fast paced, dangerous work environment. Must be comfortable with the dangers associated with horse such as: kicking, bucking, rearing, flipping, biting, etc. Communicate with guests, staff, superiors, horsemen, jockeys, trainers, and horses with courtesy and respect. Physical abilities are, but not limited to: standing, running, jumping, lifting, bending, walking, climbing, balancing, and twisting. Also exposed to all kinds of weather, loud noises, and cramped spaces.
Tools & Equipment
Protective gear and horse leading/training equipment.
