Francisco Duran - Golden Gate Fields

"I went from 6 to 9am daily to learn how to ride. Frank explained the very basics of positioning yourself on a horse, where to use your legs, your toes. Now it's just natural but at the beginning I had to learn how to position my legs, toes, knees and saddle and how to control the horse and to be still on the horse.
It took about a year and a half - two years to learn. I'm a slow learner. Once I pick up what I learn, I get it and then I try to perfect it. When he thought I was ready, he took me to Santa Anita and introduced me to the trainers to help me get my galloping license. The jockey license came two years later because I was too green.
Frank is a wonderful person and if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be where I am. I'd probably still be a server/busboy at the private country club where I worked."

Kevin Mangold - Hollywood Park

"I remember my very first lesson with Mr. Garza. It was so early in the morning it was pitch black outside. I learned to lead the horses, then groom and bathe them. I was green! Eventually, I got my first leg up and was hooked.
I took a lesson six days a week for ten months. By the time I graduated, I felt confident that I could get a job as an exercise rider.
D. Wayne Lukas hired me, and a year later I was riding races at Turf Paradise. I have now ridden races with some of the best jockeys in the country at Santa Anita Park, Hollywood Park and Del Mar. I have also raced at Emerald Downs, Bay Meadows, Pomona, Portland Meadows, Los Alamitos, Yavapai Downs and Mountaineer Park.
I could not have done it without Mr. Garza and the Frank Garza Jockey School."

Nicole Haymes

"What really helped me a lot was Frank telling me, 'Be prepared for anything'. What he also taught me was 'Heels down, heels down, heels down!"
That's the biggest thing that I remember. Even when I ride my horse bareback, that's all I think about. It's tough but it's made all the difference. He taught me consistency".