Child Jockeys of Sumbawa, Indonesia

These child jockeys are typically between the age of 5 to 12. Horse owners hire these jockeys to ride in races. If a horse wins a race, the horse owner keeps a big part of the cash winning, while the jockey gets a share. During the race season, jockeys can earn up to a few hundred US$ per month. This income is considered a handsome sum, and may be multiple times higher than their parents’ income of being farmers.
Jockeys do not ride with saddles and many of them do not wear a helmet. It is a dangerous sport, with high risk of serious injuries and fatality.