What is a jockey pump and why does it carry that title? Picture a horse race. There is a small guy riding on top of (or above) a large horse. That small guy on the horse is referred to as a jockey. On a fire protection system requiring a fire pump, there is a small pump that maintains pressure above the pressure settings of the larger fire pump. Hence the name "jockey pump." The purpose of a jockey pump is to maintain pressure in a fire protection piping system so the larger fire pump does not need to run. A jockey pump package consists of a pump, motor and controller.