Georgina Sergeon ... Riding up a storm

Racing fans have long admired the exploits of female jockeys on the North American and European circuits. In fact, Americans Julie Krone and Rosemarie Homeister and Canadian Chantal Sutherland have their share of Jamaican admirers.

Last year, punters got to see their own heroine with the emergence of Georgina Sergeon who rode 25 winners in her first full season at Caymanas Park. Two of her victories came aboard Mr Skill and The Chief in the feature Open Allowance Sprint and The Gladiator Trophy, respectively.

The 20-year-old Sergeon began competing in Septem-ber 2009 after a six-month riding course at the Jamaica Jockey School. Prior to donning britches, top boots, and picking up a whip, the St Catherine-born rider was training to be a hairdresser at cosmetology school in Kingston.

She took up riding three years ago at the encouragement of her guardian. Sergeon credits a boost in self-confidence for last year's big showing. "I've improved in different areas. I'm more powerful down the straight," she told The Sunday Gleaner. "My judgement of pace has also got better."

The four-foot, eleven-inch Sergeon, who currently tips the scale at 100 pounds, has to win three more races to lose her apprentice tag.

Maintaining form has proven to be a challenge for young riders once they become jockeys. But Sergeon believes once she keeps her weight down, she will remain competitive. To do that, she works out in the gym four times a week and maintains a strict diet.

Georgina Sergeon walked in the jockeys' paddock 18 years after Hazel Cowie became the first female rider at Caymanas. Her feats in 2010 drew strong praise from racing pundits and earned her a nomination for Radio Jamaica's Sportswoman of The Year award.

Undaunted by her image as a novelty, Sergeon says making and breaking records is her greatest motivation.

"I'm working on taking it to the top and making it hard for anyone to break my record," she said.