LEXINGTON, Ky. — As the Kentucky Derby is just three days away, many jockeys and trainers are gearing up for the most exciting two minutes in sports: an event that inspires the future generations of riders and trainers, many of those training at the North American Racing Academy.

Bluegrass Community Technical College's (BCTC) Equine program, home of N.A.R.A, is the first and only community college-based racehorse riding certificate in the U.S. Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron founded the academy in 2006.

Program director Dixie Kendall believes the name of the school is a true representation of what they offer.

“The reason that he named it the racing academy instead of a riding academy is because his vision was for this program to be more than just a jockey school. He wanted it to be a workforce provider for the equine industry as a whole,” Kendall said.

Students get the chance to learn riding techniques on retired racehorses at the Thoroughbred Training Center in Lexington. Many travel from around the country for the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business.

For Nebraskan native Callie Witt, it’s a dream come true.

“Ever since I was little I wanted to be a jockey and my parents were like if you want to ride then you have to have a degree. So I went online and looked up jockey schools and this is the first one that popped up in the US and it’s Kentucky which is the horse capital of the world so it's a perfect spot,” Witt said.

The hands-on equine program gives students an inside look into the thoroughbred racing industry.

“My expectations have been met and succeeded by this program. Honestly, I wasn't expecting it to be as hands on as it is but it really is like we're running a barn here, it's really great like an experience for getting into the industry,” Petula Randolph said.

BCTC offers introductory courses for those who are interested in horses but have never ridden one. Students learn how to care for the horses including maintenance and equipment as well as the sales aspect and how to get horses prepped.

“Introduction to horses and basic care. The basic care is going to be grooming, how to catch a horse, how to put on different bandages, we have exercise bandages, we have the vet bandages such as your standing wraps, just the overall care of the horse,” Amy Heitzman, Instructor for BCTC Equine said.

Upon completion of courses, students then receive their exercise riding license with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Students will eventually be placed with trainers around the world to expand their knowledge and skills in the workforce.

“You learn a lot of track rules and stuff like that. We also have a blood cell class and a physiology class where we learn how the horses work and muscle wise, bone wise and how they move so it helps us know how to work them better on the ground or riding,” Morgan Patterson said.

Students also have the option to try out for racehorse riding. An advanced summer course that only accepts six students each round. In order to be admitted you must pass a physical fitness test and basic riding assessment. McCarron wanted to educate students of all interests, no matter if they chose to be on the sideline or on the saddle.

“There are different parts of the racing industry that I learned about in this class so it does give you options if you know you want to go to the business side or go to training or riding,” Makiya Allen said.

Upon graduation, students can earn an associates degree in equine science.