CNN profiles Diane Crump, the first-ever female professional jockey in the U.S.
Feisty 63-year-old Crump explained half the battle, as she fought to ride professionally, was simply getting male jockeys to compete against her. In 1968 two female riders had been forced to drop out of their races after the male jockeys boycotted the race, even going to the extent of throwing stones at the women’s changing room trailers.
“People were saying we weren’t strong enough or smart enough to ride in a pari-mutuel (professional gambling) race,” Crump said.