Page 126 - Speedhorse March 2019

Racing Commission Officials Marketing & Communication
MEGAN ARSZMAN
by John Moorehouse
“I want to show my daughter that you can do anything, you just can’t be afraid of hard work.”
NAME: Megan Arszman
HOME BASE: Westfield, Indiana
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: I’ve been active in equine media for 14 years in a variety of forms. I have been with the Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC) for two years now.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: For my profession,
I’m a member of the American Horse Publications and Turf Publicists of America. I have earned equine media awards through AHP and an equine social media distinction via the international Equine Social Media Awards.
HOBBY: I train and compete my dogs
in agility, ride horses and run. However, most of my spare time is now spent with my 4-year-old daughter, who, fortunately, loves all those things as well.
How has Megan Arszman built a career in the horse racing world? Like any writer, she’s done
it one word at a time. After graduating from Murray
State University with a degree in Print Journalism, Arszman jumped right into the horse world with
a pair of internships at Hoosier Park and AQHA, respectively. Today, Arszman is a prolific freelance writer who also currently oversees marketing and communications for the Indiana Horse Racing Commission. She spared several hundred more words for Speedhorse to give us more insight into her world.
Q: You’ve worked as a freelance writer in the horse racing world for quite some time. What’s your favorite story, either about a person or a horse, that you’ve been able to tell?
A: I love sharing everyone’s story. The best is when I’m interviewing someone and they claim they don’t have anything interesting to share, then suddenly one little nugget comes from our conversation, and there’s the catch. I’ve enjoyed talking with motivat- ing people like Tammy Sronce and her recovery from a devastating head injury, Bill Casner and
his history with team roping and horse racing, and shared stories about horses like American Pharoah’s track pony, “Smokey,” among others.
Q: In addition to your work with the IHRC and your freelancing, you also are a mom. How do you manage it all? What’s an average work day like for you?
A: I honestly couldn’t tell you how I manage it all. Everyday there’s something new. My husband works with a merchandising company with the National Hot Rod Association, so he’s on the road
a good 75 percent of the year. I try to work out early in the morning before my daughter wakes
up, then get her going after I’m dressed and care
for the dogs. After I drop her off at school, I drive downtown for work. I’ll schedule some interviews while I’m driving or return phone calls at that time. Nights when we get home from either a class or caring for the family farm, I’ll squeeze in work after she goes to bed, or on weekends. My life is pretty crazy, but thankfully we moved back home to be closer to family. My family helps if I’m in a pinch and my husband isn’t home.
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SPEEDHORSE, March 2019
John Moorehouse
THE BACKSIDE