Friday News & Notes Presented by Zoetis

This may be a flashback, but it’s worth it. Who can recognize this 5* horse?! Photo courtesy of Lindsay Hall.

I don’t know if I’m just getting old, but I just don’t have it in me to grind through riding when it’s cold and raining and everything is covered in snow. I mean, I’ll do it so my horses don’t go crazy, but if there are some horses in the barn that can take it easy in January and February, you’ll see them enjoy their vacation then instead of in the fall. My 20-year-old horse still thinks it’s a blast to trot down the dirt road in the worst weather ever because he’s a workaholic, but I think I’ll stay inside with some tea if I can choose.

Black History Bit of the Day:

On June 15th, 1971, Cheryl White became the first black female jockey in the United States, riding her father’s thoroughbred Ace Reward in the fifth race at Cleveland’s Thistledown Race Track. Her plan was just to ride racehorses for a year, and then go to college and become a math teacher.

White never got a chance to ride in the Triple Crown races, but she finished her 21-year career with 750 races won and approximately $762,624 in earnings. White was one of 18 people honored at the Bluegrass Black Business Association’s African-Americans in Thoroughbred Racing Industry Awards in 1994.

She was the first female jockey to win two races in the same day in different states: Thistledown in the afternoon and Waterford Park in the evening. And on Oct. 19, 1983, White became the first woman in California to ride five winners in the same day, as well as the first woman to become a steward in the state in 1992.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Galway Downs Kickoff H.T. (Temecula, Ca.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Sporting Days Farm February H.T. (Aiken, Sc.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

Three Lakes Winter I H.T. at Caudle Ranch (Groveland, Fla.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

News From Around the Globe:

In a real life Black Beauty tale, Grasp The Laurel was a striking gelding who had a storied past, and was unsuccessful at many careers before he landed his perfect situation and became a legend. Everybody loves a rescue to ribbons story, right? [Grasp the Lauren Went Full Circle]

Age is just a number for Wishful Thinking, who at age 30 is still actively competing in the hunter ring. Hadley Zeavin got the 15.1 hand Westphalian gelding as a thirteen-year-old, and despite her attempts to retire him at the age of 20, he has preferred to keep doing his job, and teaching kids how to enjoy the ride. [30-Year-Old Showhorse Loves It Still]

This week we said goodbye to the beloved Popcorn Deelites, one of several horses who played the title role in the 2003 best picture nominee “Seabiscuit,” based on my book, “Seabiscuit: An American Legend.” Coincidentally sharing a nickname with Seabiscuit, “Pops” had the honor of playing the famed horse in the movie’s supreme moment, in which Seabiscuit defeated Triple Crown winner War Admiral in their epic 1938 Pimlico match race. [Relive Seabiscuit’s Race]

Is your horse fiddly while being groomed? Most horses appreciate a vigorous grooming, while some jump and flinch at the slightest touch. If your horse doesn’t seem to like being touched, he could be just naturally ticklish or sensitive, but it might also be a sign of something more serious. Here are some questions that can help you distinguish the difference. [Just Ticklish Or Something Serious]