Horse jockey talks about preparing for the horse races at the Big Fresno Fair

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Horses racing at the Big Fresno Fair will be happening throughout the weekend and next week.

Shawn Spikes, who is a horse jockey, explained he's been professional riding horses for the last couple years.

His love for riding started when he was just a kid and always going to the race tracks with his family.

"I love it so much. It was a dream for me to be a jockey when I got older," he said. "I had a lot of people tell me 'you would' and some people 'you wouldn't' but in the end (I stuck) to the goals and focus and I made it happen".

He said each morning during the Big Fresno Fair he spends some time with the horse he will be riding that day.

"We exercise them (the horses). We communicate with the owners and the trainers and pretty much know all about the horse," Spikes said.

On Friday Spikes will be riding two different horses.

"I'm going for the win," Spikes said with a smile on his face.

He added seeing the stands full of people always gets his adrenaline pumping.

Spike who is nearly six feet tall said you do not have to be short to be a jockey.

"It's really not about the height, it's about the weight," Spikes said.

He explained that he typically weighs in around 119 to 120 pounds.

"To me I think I have a little bit of a better balance because I am not so small," Spikes said.

The horse races start at 1:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12:45 p.m. on the weekend.