Title of Study: Exploring the Lived Experiences and Mental Health of Jockeys and Exercise Riders Working in the Horse Racing Industry in the United States
Principal Investigator: Shayce Johnston, LMHC, Doctoral Candidate, University of Florida
Purpose of the Study: You are invited to take part in this study because you are a licensed jockey or a professional exercise rider with at least one year of experience, and your primary career is in this role. The purpose of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of how occupational pressures, cultural expectations, and daily work influence identity and mental health.
Procedures: If you agree to participate, you will be asked to complete one semi-structured interview, which will last approximately 45–90 minutes. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom or in person (if you are located in Florida). Before the interview begins, you will complete a short pre-screening to clarify terms such as distress and trauma and to make sure the interview questions are understood in a shared way. With your consent, the interview will be audio-recorded. You may also be contacted for a brief follow-up to review your transcript or clarify themes.
Voluntary Participation: Your participation is voluntary. You may decline to answer any question, stop the interview, or withdraw from the study at any time without penalty.
Risks and Benefits: There are minimal risks associated with participation. Some interview questions may bring up difficult or emotional experiences. If you become upset, you may pause, skip questions, or stop the interview at any time. If you show or report significant distress, the interview will be paused or stopped, and you will be provided with support resources. If you share thoughts of suicide or self-harm, the researcher will provide crisis resources and encourage you to connect with immediate support. While the study does not involve therapy, the researcher is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and will follow ethical guidelines to ensure participant safety. If you disclose imminent intent to harm yourself or others, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed, and steps may be taken to connect you with emergency services. There are no direct personal benefits to you, but your participation may help inform counseling practices, industry supports, and advocacy efforts to improve the mental health of racetrack workers.
Confidentiality: Your privacy will be protected throughout this study. All identifying information will be removed from transcripts and reports. Pseudonyms will be used instead of real names, and potentially identifying details will be changed or omitted. Audio recordings and transcripts will be stored securely on a password-protected, encrypted device that only the researcher can access. Audio recordings will be destroyed once transcription is complete. Identifiers such as your name or contact information will not appear in any publications or presentations from this study. Confidentiality will be maintained to the fullest extent allowed by law and University of Florida policy. However, it cannot be guaranteed if you disclose imminent plans to harm yourself or others, in which case steps may be taken to ensure safety.
Compensation: There is no monetary compensation or gift card provided for participation in this study.
Support Resources
If you experience distress or need support after participating, you may contact:
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (available 24/7)
• Jockeys’ Guild Chaplaincy Services – Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) https://rtcanational.org (859) 410-7822.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine – 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
Contacts for Questions: If you have questions about this study, please contact: Shayce Johnston, LMHCDoctoral Candidate, University of FloridaEmail: susanjohnston@ufl.edu If you have questions about your rights as a research participant, please contact the Institutional Review Board (IRB02) office (098 PSY Bldg., University of Florida; Box 112250; (352) 392-0433 or irb2@ufl.edu).
Consent Statement: I have read and understood the information above. I understand that participation is voluntary, that there is no compensation provided, and that I may withdraw at any time without penalty. By signing below, I indicate my voluntary agreement to participate in this study.
