--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I might have been a jockey, you know. I…" description: "\"I might have been a jockey, you know. I started by riding horses bareback and holding on to the mane before they finally threw me off.\" — Alex Higgins" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/alex-higgins-22341_holding_i-might-have-been-a-jockey-you-know-i-st_2236775.jpg" --- # I might have been a jockey, you know. I started by riding… ![“I might have been a jockey, you know. I started by riding horses bareback and holding on to the mane before they finally threw me off.” quote by Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/alex-higgins-22341_holding_i-might-have-been-a-jockey-you-know-i-st_2236775.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/alex-higgins-22341_holding_i-might-have-been-a-jockey-you-know-i-st_2236775.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/alex-higgins-22341_holding_i-might-have-been-a-jockey-you-know-i-st_2236775.jpg) > “I might have been a jockey, you know. I started by riding horses bareback and holding on to the mane before they finally threw me off.” [Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He likens his early career to a risky, uncontrolled ride, emphasizing perseverance despite setbacks. **In simple terms:** Early attempts are rough and can end abruptly. Key Takeaway Persist despite early failures. Themes sports resilience learning Mood determined reflective Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - career start - sports training - overcoming obstacles Key Concepts risk taking skill development growth mindset Questions to Reflect On - What risks have you taken? - How do you recover after a setback? A Different Perspective May overstate the inevitability of failure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bareback](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bareback-449177/) [Holding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holding/) [Holding on](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holding-on/) [Horses Bareback](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/horses-bareback-5054654/) [Jockey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jockey/) [Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/me/) [Riding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/riding/) [Riding Horses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/riding-horses/) [Started](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/started/) [Started Riding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/started-riding-1422498/) ## Related quotes > [I'm used to riding horses. My father used to breed horses when I was a child. I grew up in Tipperary, in the country,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-condon/i-m-used-to-riding-horses-my-father-used-to-breed-horses-when-i-was-a/) [Kerry Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-condon/) > [“Gawaine and Gareth took turns with the fat ass, one of them whacking it while the other rode bareback.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-h-white/gawaine-and-gareth-took-turns-with-the-fat-ass-one-of-them-whacking/) [T.H. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-h-white/) > [What is this talked-of mystery of birth. But being mounted bareback on the earth?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/what-is-this-talked-of-mystery-of-birth-but-being-mounted-bareback-on/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [“The saddle is off and the rest of this ride will be bareback. Code for it's gonna be a tough ride to the finish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/the-saddle-is-off-and-the-rest-of-this-ride-will-be-bareback-code-for/) [Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/) > [I started riding bikes when I was really young, but I stopped when I was 19 because my mother asked me to, so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-boone-junior/i-started-riding-bikes-when-i-was-really-young-but-i-stopped-when-i/) [Mark Boone Junior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-boone-junior/) > [I grew up in Wicklow, near Roundwood. It's a beautiful place on the east coast. That's where I started riding bikes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charley-boorman/i-grew-up-in-wicklow-near-roundwood-it-s-a-beautiful-place-on-the/) [Charley Boorman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charley-boorman/) > [I remember thinking, "Far out, I can't believe this," when I started riding waves. Then I was starting to imagine where it could take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-occhilupo/i-remember-thinking-far-out-i-can-t-believe-this-when-i-started/) [Mark Occhilupo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-occhilupo/) > [When I was really young, my babysitters had horses, and I started riding them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-hunt/when-i-was-really-young-my-babysitters-had-horses-and-i-started/) [Sam Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-hunt/) > [Try to remember the reason you started riding a motorcycle in the first place. For me, it was a couple of things but mostly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonny-barger/try-to-remember-the-reason-you-started-riding-a-motorcycle-in-the/) [Sonny Barger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonny-barger/) > [I just love riding my bike - no more so than at home in Cardiff and in South Wales on the roads where I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraint-thomas/i-just-love-riding-my-bike-no-more-so-than-at-home-in-cardiff-and-in/) [Geraint Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraint-thomas/) > [I started off riding motorbikes and at that point my hero was Valentino Rossi.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lando-norris/i-started-off-riding-motorbikes-and-at-that-point-my-hero-was/) [Lando Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lando-norris/) > [I completely fell in love with riding horses. I really didn't want to wear a helmet when I would go off with the trainer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-cooper/i-completely-fell-in-love-with-riding-horses-i-really-didn-t-want-to/) [Bradley Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-cooper/) > [I had been riding horses before my memory kicked in, so my life with horses had no beginning. It simply appeared from the fog…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monty-roberts/i-had-been-riding-horses-before-my-memory-kicked-in-so-my-life-with/) [Monty Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monty-roberts/) > [I grew up in the countryside riding horses, and I also ride every holiday in Spain, which is where I was born. It's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/astrid-berges-frisbey/i-grew-up-in-the-countryside-riding-horses-and-i-also-ride-every/) [Astrid Berges-Frisbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/astrid-berges-frisbey/) > [I grew up riding horses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lainey-wilson/i-grew-up-riding-horses/) [Lainey Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lainey-wilson/) ## More by Alex Higgins > [I don't want my kids to live like I do, sweating in a little metal box. I want them to have sunshine. I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-higgins/i-don-t-want-my-kids-to-live-like-i-do-sweating-in-a-little-metal-box/) [Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) > [I'm quite a studious person, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-higgins/i-m-quite-a-studious-person-i-think/) [Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) > [I think I was the most natural, charismatic player who ever lifted a cue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-higgins/i-think-i-was-the-most-natural-charismatic-player-who-ever-lifted-a/) [Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) > [I think my presence around the table was mesmerising at times. It captured people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-higgins/i-think-my-presence-around-the-table-was-mesmerising-at-times-it/) [Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) > [I'm very good when it comes to the crunch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-higgins/i-m-very-good-when-it-comes-to-the-crunch/) [Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) > [No Alex Higgins, no snooker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-higgins/no-alex-higgins-no-snooker/) [Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) > [When I was 15, I was about seven stone - the average weight for a kid of 11 in them days was about nine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-higgins/when-i-was-15-i-was-about-seven-stone-the-average-weight-for-a-kid-of/) [Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) > [I want to be the Cassius Clay of snooker. Cassius is the greatest at boxing and that's what I mean to be at snooker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-higgins/i-want-to-be-the-cassius-clay-of-snooker-cassius-is-the-greatest-at/) [Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) > [If I'd been from a different background, I could have gone to a grammar school, I suppose. I might have been a different person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-higgins/if-i-d-been-from-a-different-background-i-could-have-gone-to-a/) [Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) > [I never had any doubts about my ability. The problem was getting into so many scrapes because of my erratic temperament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-higgins/i-never-had-any-doubts-about-my-ability-the-problem-was-getting-into/) [Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) > [I always played on my nerves - on the edge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-higgins/i-always-played-on-my-nerves-on-the-edge/) [Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) > [I used to play snooker in millionaires' mansions with marble floors and eat at the best places, but that's all over now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-higgins/i-used-to-play-snooker-in-millionaires-mansions-with-marble-floors/) [Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) > [I invented every shot that has ever been played.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-higgins/i-invented-every-shot-that-has-ever-been-played/) [Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) > [I have a strong will-power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-higgins/i-have-a-strong-will-power/) [Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) > [What chance has cancer against me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-higgins/what-chance-has-cancer-against-me/) [Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) [Explore all 27 Alex Higgins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) ## More Holding quotes > [We do not know which irresponsible Israeli prime minister will take office and decide to use nuclear weapons in the struggle against neighboring Arab…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mordechai-vanunu/we-do-not-know-which-irresponsible-israeli-prime-minister-will-take/) [Mordechai Vanunu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mordechai-vanunu/) > [If holding onto them requires you to lower your self-worth and self-respect let go of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/if-holding-onto-them-requires-you-to-lower-your-self-worth-and-self/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Like, you can't tell a certain race, like, 'You're supposed to act this way, and you're not supposed to act this way because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kreayshawn/like-you-can-t-tell-a-certain-race-like-you-re-supposed-to-act-this/) [Kreayshawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kreayshawn/) > [Hold tenderly that which you cherish, for it is precious and a tight grip may crush it. Do not let the fear of dropping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-alberti/hold-tenderly-that-which-you-cherish-for-it-is-precious-and-a-tight/) [Bob Alberti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-alberti/) > [I can conquer the world with one hand, as long as you are holding the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-smith/i-can-conquer-the-world-with-one-hand-as-long-as-you-are-holding-the/) [Megan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-smith/) > [“Holding something doesn't make it yours. You realize at some point you're just keeping it back for yourself, because it's pulling away with equal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-silvey/holding-something-doesn-t-make-it-yours-you-realize-at-some-point-you/) [Craig Silvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-silvey/) > [“Forgiveness is about letting go of the past and not holding on to it”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/forgiveness-is-about-letting-go-of-the-past-and-not-holding-on-to-it/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [“Loneliness is holding the one you love / When you know you might never hold him again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kami-garcia/loneliness-is-holding-the-one-you-love-when-you-know-you-might-never/) [Kami Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kami-garcia/) > [If you're throwing punches or exerting energy but you're not breathing, you're holding your breath. That actually saps your strength, it saps your stamina.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-jr/if-you-re-throwing-punches-or-exerting-energy-but-you-re-not/) [Chris Eubank Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-jr/) > [“There is always power in holding a secret.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-hobb/there-is-always-power-in-holding-a-secret/) [Robin Hobb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-hobb/) > [I'm still holding on to something that I know will never happen, because I have this little piece of hope that someday, it will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-still-holding-on-to-something-that-i-know-will-never-happen/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The real reason you struggling with letting go is because you keep holding on to what they use to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ash-sweeney/the-real-reason-you-struggling-with-letting-go-is-because-you-keep/) [Ash Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ash-sweeney/) > [“It's the touching they both long for. The holding. Spent their whole lives, each without any.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mcmann/it-s-the-touching-they-both-long-for-the-holding-spent-their-whole/) [Lisa McMann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mcmann/) > [I want to stay in the ocean. I'm not going to be able to do that from some holding cell in Japan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/i-want-to-stay-in-the-ocean-i-m-not-going-to-be-able-to-do-that-from/) [Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) > [There's something so delicious about holding onto a secret; it's something just for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-han/there-s-something-so-delicious-about-holding-onto-a-secret-it-s/) [Jenny Han](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-han/) [Browse all 694 Holding quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holding/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I might have been a jockey, you know. 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