Page 11 - June 2009 The Game

Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
Breaking In at Woodbine
Changing racetracks, waiting to re-start her 10lb apprentice year and following her passion. The decisions that Natasha Sihota has made in her edgling jockey career have come from her heart as well as some excellent advice from prominent trainers.
Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Natasha began riding horses at the age of 6 blossoming her interest and
The Game, June 2009 11 200’ x 400’ Outdoor show ring and 200’ x 200’
In fall of 2008, Natasha began her apprenticeship at
Hastings, promptly winning 4 races in only 11 mounts and
hanging up her tack to save her 10lb bug for t1h4e38210_0C9THseSa_sToipnS.eriesAalln:Ldaydoeumt 1on2s0t/r0a5t/i0o9n1p2u:0rp7oPsMesP. age 4
REACH a Remarkable Facility
Using the movie quote, “If you build it they
will come”, the key persons overseeing the new REACH Facility, are hoping for just that. However after receiving a tour as the nishing touches were being applied to the facility, I would have to change the quote to “They have built it....and you really have to see this place!”
include:
REACH is the Regional Equine & Agricultural Centre of Huron which is a multi-purpose facility situated on 40 acres in the small town of Clinton, Ontario.
warm up area with lights
Additional stabling for up to 190 horses Vendor area for trade shows.
Ample exhibitor and overnight parking areas RV parking and hookups at 22 sites
For more information on the REACH facility
Apprentice Natasha Sihota
The ultimate goal of REACH is to make the town of Clinton “THE horse destination.
love of horses while competing in show jumping events.
Then while attending the University of BC to complete a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Chemistry
and Hydrology (the study of ground water), Natasha needed a summer job and ventured to Hastings Racecourse nding employment as a groom for trainer Robert VanOverschot.
and everything that it has to offer visit www. ReachHuron.ca or call 519-525-0480.
That Fall she continued on with the horses, breaking Robert’s babies at a farm and the
following Spring, Natasha returned to the racetrack to gallop horses in the morning before heading off to school.
Upon completing University, she began galloping full time for various trainers and it was normal for her to be getting on 15 to 25 horses a day.
“Fifteen horses was a good number,” Natasha said as she explained her desire to become a jockey, “With twenty or more horses, I was beginning to break down physically. It was too much.”
A natural light weight, Natasha began to feel more comfortable physically when working horses because it allowed her to give the horse the freedom to run.
“Working horses felt like a more comfortable thing for me to do and I was getting more ful llment out of helping a horse along instead of holding them back while galloping.
“I was working horses along side the jockeys, and I was learning a lot. I was breezing horses out of the gate and was getting on some nice horses for Terry Jordan.”
Becoming a jockey was a natural progression and something that Natasha felt she could not pass up, “If you have the opportunity to do it, how can you not? It is one of those things you’d have always regretted if you didn’t try.”
The move to Woodbine was orchestrated by trainer Terry Jordan and so far Natasha has no regrets.
To make her 10lb advantage more desirable, Natasha was advised to start later in the season when the longer races were being written in the condition book. She rode her rst 3 mounts at Woodbine the weekend of May 15 and another 3
the following weekend. A second place nish aboard the John MacKenzie trained Slew’s Kid is the closest she has come to the winner’s circle at Woodbine thus far.
“I plan to stay here permanently and hope that things go well.” said Natasha regarding her future plans, “I’m having fun out here and everyone has been very nice. I just want to focus on race riding.”
The facility is open for shows and events this year and will host a Grand Opening on September 12. They will be fully operational in 2010.
REACH is the brainchild of Richard Harding, a CEO for the Municipality of Central Huron, and the Executive Director for the facility which is near completion after three years of planning.
Situated next to Clinton Raceway, the converted Catholic School has received a complete overhaul and is now a top notch facility in which to provide training for the racing industry as well as hosting meetings, banquets, retreats, and more.
Highlights of the arena facility include:
Melanie Prosser (left), Director of Program Services; Richard Harding, Executive Director; and Cindy Meldrum,Administrative Assistant, outside of the soon to be completed REACH facility in Clinton, Ontario
HUNTINGTON STUD • FARM • CORP
• Boarding and Lay-ups
• Broodmare Care and Foaling • Yearling Breaking and Training • Indoor Arena and Exerciser
Call DanMooneyorAmandaThew, Manager 905-893-1742 • Fax: 905-893-1745
211’ x 108’ indoor riding arena with a 70’ x 130’ warm up area and seating for up to 500 spectators. School and Student Horse stabling for 22 horses
and 2 stallions
Teaching barn, suitable for hands-on studies in
farrier science, reproduction, equine massage and more.
Teaching reproductive laboratory.
2 indoor and 6 outdoor wash stalls, and a heated and secure tack room
Highlights of the education centre include:
Executive boardroom, 3 large classrooms, large meeting room and a media studies room with computer connections and smartboard.
The 211’ x 108’ Indoor Riding Arena has seating for up to 500 spectators
Amphitheatre with large animal entrance and tiered seating for conformation and anatomy studies.
Dorm rooms for up to 22 students or instructors or guests and a galley style kitchen.
Commercial kitchen for community rental by the hour or day
A green roof for growing vegetables and herbs and available for school visits
Highlights of the Outdoor Facilities
Two-Year-Olds in Training For Sale
Your Next Opportunity To Buy an Ontario-Bred.
2009 Canadian-Bred Yearling Sale
Selected Session - Sept. 8 • Open Session - Sept. 12
Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division) cthsont@idirect.com • www.cthsont.com
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