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HORSES AND RACING:
On Horses, Racing, and Being a Jockey

The breeding and training of horses has become a large market in many countries, as well as being a major part of the gambling circles all over the world. In America, betting on horse racing is regulated by state governments. Most of the gambling done today is legal, though sometimes dealings are a little shady. The best horses can win millions of dollars and make millions more by providing stud services, which is horse breeding. A lot of times horses are offered for stud services when they are too old to race or if they are injured.
Some of the best race tracks around are in the United States. Even if I’m not racing, I like to watch the races to see what the other jockeys do and just watch all the beautiful horses. The style of racing depends on the country and the track at which the race is taking place. In the United States, races are usually on flat surfaces of either dirt or grass.

Most tracks generally do thoroughbred racing, but other tracks offer quarter horse racing and harness racing, or combinations of any of these kinds of racing. American thoroughbred races are run for different distances, but usually are from 4.5 furlongs, which is 905 meters, to 1½ miles, which is about 2,414 meters. The biggest U.S. horse racing is the Kentucky Derby which is part of the Triple Crown. The other races in the Triple Crown are the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. These races are for three year-olds. Breeders' Cup races, which are held at the end of the year, have been challenging the Triple Crown events the past few years. These races have an important effect on the selection of annual champions. The standard-bred event is the Breeders' Crown. There are also a Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Pacers and a Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Trotters. All the different races are unique and offer an opportunity to learn a lot about the different breeds and styles of racing.

Many times the champions of the larger races become famous. The most famous horses from Canada are Northern Dancer, who won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. He is by far the most successful Thoroughbred sire ever. His son, Nijinsky II, is also quite well known in Canada. In Australia, the most famous horse is Phar Lap. Cardigan Bay is a pacing horse from New Zealand, who was successful in American harness racing in the 1960s. Racing in Australasia is defined by its higher level races such as the Melbourne Cup, which has become more and more popular with international racers. Racing in the United Kingdom is a little different from what takes place in the States. For instance, there are races which involve obstacles, either hurdles or fences. This is not common in the US. The UK is home to some of the best known jockeys, like Gordon Richards. While the attention of most horse racing fans is on the horse's performance on the track, or for male horses’ success as a sire, little publicity is given to brood mares. La Troienne, is one of the most important mares of the 20th century. She was the dam of many of the greatest thoroughbred champions in the world.

For me, it’s not always easy to get to the races out of state, and nearly impossible to go to the international ones. Lucky for me, there are tracks right here in Oklahoma that host some pretty important races. Only twenty minutes from Tulsa, is a racetrack/casino, which the locals call a “racino.” It is called Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs. This track has forty-two days of live racing from February to May, and simulcast racing, or live races by satellite TV, every day. The casino and entertainment areas are open seven days a week. They have all kinds of things to do between races, like Vegas-style games and video poker. They also have a bar, the Dog Iron Saloon, but I’m not old enough to go in yet, but the food is really good. They have over four hundred RV hook ups available. Their grandstand has 2700 seats, and they have over a hundred simulcast televisions. The Turf Club can seat about four hundred people. They have space for around six hundred horses too. Another great track in Oklahoma is Remington Park. It is located in Oklahoma City. Its operation is supervised by the State of Oklahoma and Governor Brad Henry. The best thing about Remington Park is that admission is free! You can buy Club box seats for around ten to fifteen bucks, but you really don’t need to do that to enjoy the races. Parking is also free. They even do valet parking. The oldest track in Oklahoma is Blue Ribbon Downs. Blue Ribbon Downs is in Eastern Oklahoma, around I-40 and Highway 64. It is a 165 acre facility just twenty miles west of Fort Smith Arkansas or 159 miles east of Oklahoma City. Blue Ribbon Downs is made to allow spectators to get up close and personal with the racing action. It even has a glass enclosed area for guests to be able to enjoy themselves no matter what the weather is like. Just like the other courses I’ve mentioned, Blue Ribbon Downs has live racing and simulcasts. They offer Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, Appaloosa and Paint horse racing. It was the first race track to be licensed by the State of Oklahoma in 1984.

Now that I’ve covered some of the different aspects of racing and race tracks, I’d like to talk about some of the things used by jockeys, breeders, and other horse handlers. These things are called “horse tack.” This is just the accessories worn by horses in racing, farming, etc. One of the most common pieces of horse tack is the saddle. A saddle provides a seat for the rider. It is fastened to the horse’s back with a wide strap, called a girth or a cinch. This goes around the horse about four inches behind the forelegs. It is important that the saddle is comfortable for both the rider and the horse. This is because a bad fit on a saddle can cause irritation or even injury. In my experience, it is a good idea to check the saddle before use, and to inspect it thoroughly at least once a year. You don’t want to get hurt just because you didn’t check your saddle. Another important piece of tack is the stirrups. Stirrups support the rider's feet. They hang down on both sides of the saddle and can be adjusted to fit just about any rider. Certain types of stirrups can be dangerous because the rider’s foot can get tangled in them and cause them to be dragged behind a horse. Because of this danger "safety stirrups" have been introduced. These stirrups are either shaped to make it easier for the rider's foot to slip or are fitted with an emergency latch to allow the stirrup to slip off if needed. Bridles and halters are also widely used tack. Bridles and halters are straps placed around the horse's head. These are used for communicating with the animal when riding. Bridles are for riding and driving horses. They have a bit, or the part that goes in the horse’s mouth. Halters, which have no bit, are used leading or tethering a horse with one rein. Reins are used by the rider or driver to communicate directional commands by moving them to control the horse's head. They are made of leather straps or rope and attached to the outer sides of the bit.

On some harnesses, there are rings to guide the reins over the horse's back. This is important when the horse is pulling a buggy. It helps keep the reins from getting tangled or lost under the horse. A single rein is usually tied to a halter to lead or guide the horse in a circle for training purposes or to lead a packhorse. The bit, which I referred to earlier, is a piece, usually made of metal, which is placed in the horse’s mouth. The bit hangs in the spot behind the front teeth and in front of the back teeth. When someone says a horse "grabs the bit in its teeth," they mean the horse hardens its lips and mouth against the bit and ignores the rider’s commands. Bits offer control and communication between rider and horse. The amount of control the rider has depends on the style of the bit. Bits are meant to work by pressure, not pain, but in the wrong hands even the gentlest bit can hurt a horse. A harness is a set of devices and straps that attaches a horse to a cart, a sledge or any other load. A martingale is a strap that prevents the horse from raising its head above a point of control and keeps the horse from tossing its head and smacking its rider in the face. A running martingale has a yoke around the neck, a part that runs between the front legs and attaches to the girth, and a fork at the chest that branches off and attaches to each rein. This makes the bit press on the bars of the mouth if the horse raises the head too high. A standing martingale is a lot like a running martingale, but instead of having a fork; it has a strap that goes from the chest to the noseband of the bridle. This means it affect on the bit in the horse's mouth. Breastplates, breast collars, and breast girths are all extra equipment used to keep the saddle from sliding backwards. They are usually seen in more demanding, fast-paced sports like show jumping and polo, as well as for fox hunting.

Since I have covered quite a bit (no pun intended) about racing and tack, I’d like to talk about some of the most common horse breeds, especially the breeds that I have come in contact with. The most well known breed of horse in the U.S. is the American Quarter Horse. This is the horse you see in rodeos, Western movies, and in lots of races. The American Quarter Horse was the first breed of horse native to the United States. The breed came from the bloodlines of horses brought to America were mixed. The foundation of the American Quarter Horse stock came from Arab, Turk and Barb breeds. Selected stallions and mares were crossed with horses brought to Colonial America from England and Ireland in the early 1600s. This combination resulted in compact, heavily muscled horses. These animals can run a short distance over a straightaway faster than any other horse, with the fastest named Celebrated American Running Horses. In 1940, a registry was formed to preserve the breed which officially became the American Quarter Horse. As pioneers moved west, so did the American Quarter Horse. During the 1800s, cattle ranches stretched across the plains. Known for its cow sense, or the ability to outmaneuver cattle, the American Quarter Horse was made for life out west. Today, their heavy muscling and sprinter's speed are characteristic traits, and the breed has been trained to excel at particular events.

Competing in every from traditional rodeo events to the refined English classes of dressage and show jumping has made the American Quarter Horse the one of the most versatile breeds in the world. Since the creation of the American Quarter Horse Association more than 50 years ago, breeders have been perfecting the bloodlines of the American Quarter Horse to produce a high quality, versatile horse. Registered American Quarter Horses are only allowed limited white areas on the face and below the knees. If you see white anywhere else in spots or patches, you're not looking at an American Quarter Horse. There are only thirteen colors recognized by AQHA. The most prominent of these colors is sorrel, which is reddish brown. The other colors are bay, black, brown, buckskin, chestnut, dun, red dun, gray, grullo, palomino, red roan and blue roan. The official gray color is what most people call white, but there is no such thing as a “white” American Quarter Horse. Other characteristics of an American Quarter Horse are heavy muscling, speed, and a gentle nature. The American Quarter Horse can be traced back to ranching and racing, through the present where American Quarter Horses excel in a variety of events.

The American Quarter Horse is the world's most popular breed. There have been some notable Quarter Horses, such as Wimpy, who was bred and raised on the King Ranch in Kingsville, Texas, Wimpy was the 1941 Fort Worth Exposition and Fat Stock Show grand champion stallion. He was also honored by becoming the number 1 in the AQHA registry. Another great horse, King, was called the greatest horse of his time. He never won any performance points, but King established a dynasty. He sired 20 AQHA Champions, 84 Performance Registers of Merit, 12 Racing Registers of Merit, three Superior Halter Award winners and 10 Superior Performance Award winners. King had a heart attack and died in 1958. Refrigerator is the only American Quarter Horse to exceed the $2-million mark. In six racing campaigns, this gelding won 22 of 36 races, including 11 stakes wins. Although Refrigerator hasn't been named a Hall of Fame horse, he may just make it there based on his racing success. Some AQHA registered horses have also been to Hollywood. The Silver Spur Award is the equine world's Academy Award. First awarded in 1991, the Silver Spur Award is one of the highest awards an American Quarter Horse can receive. Plain Justin Bar, who played "Cisco" in "Dances With Wolves" was the first winner of this award. Since then, only two other horses have received this honor. Gills Bay Boy, known as "Scamper" to rodeo fans and the trusty mount of World Champion barrel racer Charmayne Rodman was awarded the Silver Spur in 1993. Docs Keepin Time, the star of Warner Brothers "Black Beauty" in 1994 also received the award.

Another popular breed for racing is the thoroughbred. The thoroughbred usually has a deep chest, lean body, and long, flat muscles. They can range in height from 15HH to 17HH. Though usually bred for racing, thoroughbreds are also used in English sporting events such as jumping, dressage, and hunting. Some are being bred as riding horses now. A popular cross breed is the Anglo-Arab, which is a cross between a thoroughbred and an Arabian. Thoroughbreds come in every solid color, including grey. Rarely can you find a roan thoroughbred. White markings, like stars, blazes, stockings, and socks are also common. The most common colors are dark brown or bay. This breed originated in 17th century England. One famous thoroughbred is Laudanum, a French stallion who won several events at Grand Prix. He also sired many Grand Prix level jumpers. Ladykiller was unsuccessful in racing but bred to Hosteinter Warmbloods to refine the offspring’s athleticism. He is thought of as an important sire of sporting horses.
Another well-bred horse racing horse is the Arabian. They have compact bodies, strength and speed. Their backs are short, they have well sloped shoulders, and powerful hindquarters. They have elegantly arched necks, fine silky manes and tails, and a refined head. Arabians are small in stature compared to many riding horses.

Most Arabians are between 14 hands and 15.2 hands. They are fine to medium boned and weigh anywhere between eight hundred and a thousand pounds. Some Arabs of Polish bloodlines are taller than 15.3 hands high. Arabians excel in just about every horse sport. Older Arabians make wonderful family and beginner horses whether ridden or driven in harness. Arabians come in just about every solid color, gray and roan. They may also have white facial markings or white socks or stockings on their legs. Most equine experts agree Arabians came from the Arabian Peninsula. The Bedouin tribes trace their common history with Arab horse back to 3000BC. The Bedus used the horses for pack horses and war mounts. The Arab’s hardiness comes from the harsh desert climate they evolved in. Arabians are fast learners, observant, and responsive. Another interesting fact about this breed is the fact that Arabian horses have one less vertebrae than other breeds of horses. Arabians may have more claim to fame than any other breed of horse. One such horse is Marengo, who was the favorite mount of Napoleon Bonaparte. Skowronek was a sire from the Crabbet Arabian Stud Farm in England. He sired the foundation for many generations of North American Arabs. Cass Ole was the star of the movie The Black Stallion. The movie was made in 1979. It starred Mickey Rooney and was based on the novel written by Walter Farley.

Now let’s talk about jockeying. As a jockey, I have had to learn the ropes. I have had some great experiences as a horse jockey. I have even won, or at least placed, in a few races. As with any other sport, there are lots of rules that have to be followed. The most obvious rule is that a jockey needs to weigh no more than 110 to 130 pounds, depending on the race and horses. To stay light you have to keep the calories down. Often jockeys eat no more than a piece of toast and a few cups of tea on the day of a race. They also have to watch their weight during the week and in the off season. This means a strictly low-calorie, low-fat diet and lots of exercise. For me, I liked working with the horses and training, as well as sports in school, so this was never a problem. Height is not strictly governed, but it does make a difference in weight and aerodynamics. There have been several taller jockeys, like Lester Piggott who was 5 ft 7 1/2 inches tall and Richard Hughes of the UK who is 5ft 10 inches tall. You must be at least 16 years old to enroll with an apprentice school or join up with a trainer.

In my case, I had been living with a family that owned racing horses. During this time I developed an interest in horses and racing. Sixteen is also the legal age when a novice jockey can start riding in competitive races. In some countries, like Spain, you can start riding in races as an amateur at 14 before becoming a professional at the age of 16. Luckily for me, you don't have to have any academic qualifications to be a jockey or start as an apprentice. Athletic ability and good old common sense are very important. Above all, I’d say that before deciding to become a jockey you would need to have some experience with horses. It is important that you understand the horses, their nature, breeding, feeding patterns, work routines, shoeing, etc, in addition to how to ride a horse.

The best jockeys have worked hard for many years to be able to ride well and win races. Jockeys must be able to travel all the time. This might mean going to the race location in advance of the race to practice on the track, to make sure the horse will be able to handle the track or the events, and to make sure everything is set up in preparation for race day. Sometimes there isn’t enough time to practice at each track though. It has been in the news recently that after Cochrane & Dettori's recent plane accident that some jockeys may ride at 3 different race meetings per day, sometimes hundreds of miles apart. At the height of race season, in the summer, some riders may do twelve or more races in one day, after having ridden four or five horses during workout that morning. During racing season, it is rare for a busy jockey get to bed before 11pm. They usually up and back in the saddle by six the next morning. Many psychologists have taken an interest in how jockeys operate during race preparations and during the race itself. They study how riders manage their time before a race. They look at how they interact with their connections in the paddock. They also look at how the riders calm and relax the horses in the stalls as well as during and after the race. They also evaluate the jockey’s knowledge and use of riding knowledge in racing. Another thing the psychologists evaluate is how well riders do under the strain of riding in multiple races, as well as the media pressure surrounding racing.

Someone once said that riding is the art of keeping a horse between you and the ground. This is especially true in horse racing. I myself have had the bad luck to be thrown from a horse a few times. Though most of the time I was able to walk away with only minor injury, there were a few times I thought I might never be able to ride again. One time in particular, I was thrown off a horse, over a fence, and into the side of a Dodge truck. The truck and I were pretty banged up, but the horse was fine. Sometimes the horse is spooked and trips, throwing the rider. Sometimes I shift in the saddle and cause the balance to be off, resulting in my butt hitting the ground pretty hard. Sometimes there is just no way of knowing what causes a rider to be thrown. I am thankful that I am still able to ride or do any other thing I want, like playing baseball or football. C.W. Anderson once said that “many people have sighed for the 'good old days' and regretted the 'passing of the horse,' but today, when only those who like horses own them, it is a far better time for horses.”

Some people think riding horses isn’t hard work. They couldn’t be more wrong. You have to be both physically strong and mentally sharp to ride a horse correctly, especially in racing. Riding requires using every single muscle in the body, and I have been known to be so tired from riding all day that I don’t even eat supper. That’s tired! For someone just wanting to learn to ride, a gentle, older horse is easier to handle. The younger, racing horses, the ones I ride, are much more difficult. Not only are they younger, they have been trained to run. It is very hard to get a horse that wants to run to trot or even walk. You have to be able to control the horse or someone, including yourself and the horse, could get hurt. It’s important to know what you’re doing before you try to ride a horse around a lot of people, not just with riding, but with getting to know the horse. If a horse gets spooked easily, it’s probably not a good idea to ride it around in a parade or something. If you haven’t had a horse around a lot of people and then you all of a sudden take it out in a big crowd, you might be in for some trouble.
 

My sister told me once that some lady named Helen Thompson said that when we ride a horse, we borrow freedom. Well I think that lady was pretty smart, because that’s exactly the way it makes me feel. When I’m on a horse, even if I’m just riding around the pasture, I feel like I’ve been set free. None of the other stuff-my life, my problems, anything at all-matters when I’m riding. Even if it’s just for a couple hours, it’s like I’m somewhere completely different, far away. It’s like Never-Never Land in Peter Pan. I don’t have to act any particular way or know what to say or do. The horse doesn’t care what I do or say just as long as he is fed and watered when we get back. Even if I don’t become a jockey full time after I finish high school, I know I will always find a way to ride horses. I love riding and working with horses. I love learning about them, how to take the best care of them and make them able to reach their full potential. Another smart person, Mr. Winston Churchill, said that “no hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.” That’s how I feel, and I’m glad there are other people out there who understand how important this sport is to me. Hopefully I will be able to ride for many more years after this. I look forward to teaching my nephews and my own kids how to ride someday. I am sure it will be a lot of fun.

In conclusion, I hope this shows how much I love horses-riding, racing, and just the horses themselves. I am glad to have had the chance to look up some information that I didn’t know before, even if I thought I did. Having said all I can think of to say, I will close my paper with one last quote from one of the many people who are smarter than me, Winston Churchill. “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.”

WORKS CITED
“Breed Info.” Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association. April 1, 2006.
Blocksdorf, Katherine. “About Horses and Ponies.” About.com. April 2, 2006.
Dulay, Cindy Pierson. “Famous Race Horses.” April 2, 2006.
Jeffery, Laura S. Horses: How to Choose and Care for a Horse. Berkley Heights, NJ: Enslow Publishers, ©2004.
Mitchell, Elizabeth. Three Strides Before the Wire: The Dark and Beautiful World of Horse Racing. New York: Hyperion, 2002. .

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