Starting Gate Crew

Job Responsibilities

Serves as an assistant for the Starter.

May be asked to maintain a log of all Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses that come to the Starting Gate during training hours.

For each race, must load the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses to the best of their ability with the information given.

Report any problems with the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses or the Starting Gate to the Starter.

Handle Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses and load into the Starting Gate.

Maintenance of the Starting Gate.

Inspect batteries for any problems.

Set numbers on top of the starting gate, making sure that the number on the stall matches the number assigned to the Thoroughbred or Quarter Horses being loaded into the Starting Gate.

Morning work consist of schooling Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses or breaking these Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses from the Starting Gate.

Have the trainer bring the Thoroughbred or Quarter Horses to the Starting Gate in the mornings, continually, until the Starter feels the Thoroughbred or Quarter Horses has overcome the problem and is taken off the Starter's list.

Also, working with Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses that have some problems while trying to load them into the Starting Gate.

Assist the jockeys with their Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses when they are in the Starting Gate.

Must carry out all duties assigned to him by the Starter.

Skill Set

Knowledge of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses.

Ability to handle Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses weighing in excess of 1,000 pounds.

Preferably one to two years prior experience as Starting Gate Crew/Assistant Starter.

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.

Ability to write simple correspondence.

Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.

Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Must have experience working around Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses. Must be able to work in a highly populated fast-paced and noisy environment. Must be able to work in outdoor environment subjected to possible cold or hot temperatures, rain, wind, sun, etc.