'I’m allowed to put on weight now': Former female jockey hits back at fat-shamers
A female jockey forced to retire after a shocking race fall has hit out at her ‘fat-shaming’ critics, saying she doesn’t “need to be skinny anymore”.
Libby Hopwood had spent 10 years of regular weigh-ins, including some 12 times a day, during her career as a jockey.
But a tragic accident at Murray Bridge, which claimed the life of another rider, ended Hopwood’s career in 2014.
And since then, the 29-year-old said she’s been subjected to nasty comments about her weight as she explores her new role as a racing commentator.
“I've heard the sniggers about how I've blown out and even the alarmingly large number of people that felt it was their duty to inform me how fat I've gotten, because it's somehow acceptable to tell people they are fat in racing,” she said in a post on social media.
“I'll concede I'll never be 53 kilos again but even that wasn't small enough because there were still people that would giggle at my big ass at that weight.
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The bubbly former jockey said people in racing circles continue to put her down as she pursues her new career.
“Every time I go to the track, people will ask me how much I weigh,” she said.
“I just got sick of answering the questions.
“It’s not okay for someone to approach you on the street and ask about your weight.”
Since venting her frustrations online, Hopwood said she’s been buoyed by the response, from other jockeys and athletes who endured the same treatment.
“This post started as a ‘please people back off, I’m allowed to put on weight now’,” she said.
“If this post stops somebody, somewhere asking some random person about their weight, or an ex-rider about their weight… then it’s a win.
“I’m certainly not overweight but I’m certainly not the 53 kilograms I used to be.”
Hopwood was left heartbroken in the Murray Bridge fall, suffering bleeding on the brain and multiple broken bones.
The 29-year-old said she is happy continuing her trackside role but wants to make sure other people are aware of the fat-shaming boundaries.
“(Former athletes) don’t need an external reference from someone telling us that we’re not their ideal of perfect,” she said.
“I'm proud of my curves and I'll be damned if I'm going to continue feeling s*** about my body."
