Part-time student, full-time apprentice

Kate Witten is not like the other students at Georgiana Molloy Anglican School.

The 17-year-old only goes to school part-time because she is eight months into a four-year jockey apprenticeship.

It is an unusual occupation for a teenager, but Kate said she had always wanted to get up on the saddle.

“I’ve just always wanted to be in the racing industry. (I’m) very competitive,” she said.

Kate follows in the footsteps of her father, racehorse trainer Robert Witten, who has also become her employer and on-the-job trainer.

He is tasked with teaching her everything she needs to know to become a successful jockey.

Kate said her average week consisted of going to school as a vocational educational studentwhen she could, and riding and looking after horses.

Then of course, there’s racing, where she travels around the State competing against professional jockeys.

“It was a bit nerve-racking to start with but you get used to it,” Kate said.

“I’ve gotten a couple of wins lately.”