Page 15 - March 2016

Those early lessons at the track paid off and paved a way to her eventual career.
“I had fallen in love with a horse at the track,” she remembers of the first horse she owned. “He was2whenIfellinloveandbythetimehewas
5, I could afford him. His name was Solid Value.
I bought him for $1,000. He was Allred Brothers bred, and I had him until he was 17. My first horse was a handful, but it was a really good experience.”
In 1976, she got her first California horse racing license and worked as a groom, putting herself through college at Cal Poly at Pomona. She earned a degree in animal science and agriculture science and planned to become a high school vocational agriculture teacher.
Unfortunately for California students but to the benefit of the Quarter Horse racing industry, Knuchell chose the track.
“As they say, the rest is history,” Knuchell said.
From being a groom on the backside, Knuchell became a switchboard operator at Los Alamitos and has been willing to take on any job needed at the track.
“I did group sales,” she said. “I have my mutual teller license – I punch tickets every now and then – and just a little bit of it all. I almost got away, but I’m so glad that I didn’t.”
In her spare time, Knuchell volunteers with San Juan Capistrano Large Animal Response Team and is a member of the Las Vaqueras, a ladies riding group.
“I’m appreciative, and I’m just thankful that I’m able to work in an industry that I love so much and that I get to enjoy my passion with my work,” Knuchell said.
BRONZE COMMISSIONING
The Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation commissioned artist Jim Stuckenberg to create the Sam Thompson Memorial Bronze statue.
Stuckenberg is a widely recognized Western artist and an avid horse lover. His works of art include paintings and bronzes, which are on display in museums throughout the country.
The new bronze will depict Sam Thompson riding Corona Kool in her victory in the 1999
Los Alamitos Million Futurity and will be on permanent display at the Los Alamitos Race Track. The Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation is seeking donations to cover the cost of the art.
A plaque is to be displayed near the bronze statue that will recognize donors of $150 or more to the project. All donations are tax deductible and can be made by credit card through the Foundation’s website at www.thestfoundation.org or by check with the notation of “BRONZE” on the memo line mailed to 11278 Los Alamitos Boulevard #131Los Alamitos, CA 90720.
CULTIVATING FUTURE LEADERS
440 Apparel is honoring late champion jockey Jacky Martin by providing two scholarships to 2016 high school graduates. Based out of Amarillo, Texas, and co-owned by Ivan Carnero, who won the 2015 All American Futurity, jockeys agent Ryne Valerio, and insurance agent Ruben Cortes. 440 Apparel began in 2015 and creates clothing featuring a racing logo for Quarter Horse enthusiasts.
Two Jacky Martin Memorial Scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $1,440 to one male and one female
high school graduate. To be eligible for
the scholarship, applicants much graduate with a minimum GPA of 2.0 and submit a 200-word essay about their involvement in American Quarter Horse racing, and two letters of recommendation. Applications are due May 1, 2016, and can be found at 440apparel.com.
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