3 Guyanese jockeys undergo training in Barbados to obtain int’l licences

Seasoned jockey Colin Ross and promising duo Yovin Kissoonchand and Ronaldo Appadu are in Barbados to obtain their international jockey licences.
This bold step is a landmark in Guyana’s horse-racing industry, opening the door for Guyanese riders to compete on tracks around the world.
All three jockeys successfully passed their physical riding examinations in Barbados, a critical requirement in the international licensing process.
The licensing process is currently being overseen by respected racing administrator Victor Cheeseman, with internationally recognised horseman Robert Malcolm Peirce playing a pivotal role in guiding and facilitating the programme.
While further assessments, training modules, and administrative procedures are still ongoing, officials confirmed that the full licensing process is expected to be completed by the end of this week, placing Guyana’s young riders firmly on an international pathway.

For years, Guyanese jockeys have shown natural talent, discipline, and competitiveness at home; yet opportunities to ride abroad remained limited due to licensing barriers. That reality is now changing.
“This is something we have waited a long time for,” said one official close to the process. “Once completed, these jockeys will be eligible to ride not just in Barbados, but across the Caribbean and internationally.”
The move mirrors the path taken by Barbadian jockeys, many of whom now ride successfully in North America, the United Kingdom, and across the Caribbean, building a global reputation believed to have begun with similar licensing initiatives decades ago. Now, that same door has opened for Guyana.
Speaking following their physical examinations, the jockeys expressed heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity.
“This is a dream come true,” said Kissoonchand, Guyana’s current champion rider. “We have worked our entire lives for a chance like this. We are thankful to everyone who believed in us and helped make this possible.”
Former champion Ross echoed a similar sentiment: “For years, we hoped something like this would happen. To finally see it happening means everything to us and to the younger jockeys coming up.”
Appadu added that the opportunity was about more than personal success. “This isn’t just for us. It’s for the next generation of jockeys in Guyana who now know that international racing is within reach.”