People often ask me what I do for a living. I always answer “I’m a professional rider, I train race horses.” Some people might disagree with this statement-because I’m not the “trainer” per say. However, I am the “physical trainer” of these horses. Yes, the “trainer” gives instructions, but ultimately it is up to the rider at any given moment to act according to their particular horse and ajust any instructions to meet the need of the animal at that time. Horses have a mind of their own. And sometimes they don’t want to do exactly what the “trainer” suggests. For example, I ride a wonderful little filly everyday first set. She usually jogs one turn around the training track before her gallop. Today, she didn’t want to jog a complete turn. So we jogged a half turn, and she recieved a 1/4 mile longer gallop than usual. My job is to keep a balance in the horses training, to keep them happy, safe, and relaxed.

Photo By: Canonica on Flickr

Archival footage of Man O’ War. considered one of the greatest  thoroughbred racehorses of all time. During his career just after World War I, he won 20 of 21 races and $249,465 in purses.

Photo By: Jessica@R360 on Flickr