My name is Jessica Patterson, and I am currently the defending AMA Women’s National Motocross Champion, riding for the DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing/Yamaha motocross team.
I first started racing when I was 10 years old. No one ever specifically told me that I ‘can’t’ race, but fellow racers definitely gave me a hard time about being a female racer when I was first starting out. At that time, there were very few girls racing motocross and no one thought a girls career would go very far. People treated it like it was some frivolous hobby and I’d soon grow tired of it.
Boy where they wrong… fast forward 18 years and I’ve got 6 National titles, an ESPY nomination, 4 times competing in the X Games, and having been featured twice in an EA Sports video game to show for it. Us girls ride just as hard as the boys, and Women’s Motocross is finally starting to get the respect and attention that it deserves!
To girls that are thinking about getting involved in the sport, I always tell them ‘If you want to do it, than do it! Listen to yourself. If you’ve made up your mind that you want to race, don’t let anyone stop you.’
4 comments
zack smith
Great job girl. It does not matter if your a girl or a man to be successful. Everyone deserves to have success in their lives.
Elena Thomson
YOU ARE SUCH AN INSPIRATION, THANK YOU!!! :) I have been riding since I was about 8 yrs old. and I am now 16 and riding is my passion! I have such a love for it that I’ve been wanting to race… but my family thinks i am too old now and that I would of had to start at a younger age. is that true?
gretchen
I don’t think age matters one bit. If you work hard and study your sport, you’ll do just fine!
gretchen
Jessica – what an inspirational story! Thank you for your words of encouragement. You certainly have the track record to prove that you can achieve your dreams. :)