Page 113 - August 2019

A steward’s job is not easy, and it is easy to criticize their rulings when a person doesn’t know or see the wide picture. It is sometimes a thankless job, but it is also rewarding when you see great four-legged athletes perform at their best.
Q. OF ALL THE HORSES YOU’VE COME ACROSS, ARE THERE ANY THAT HAVE STOOD OUT AS BEING PARTICULARLY IMPRESSIVE? IF SO, WHO, AND WHY?
A. Over the years I have seen many great horses
that have raced in our intermountain area. A few I remember like He Flys, Pivot Point and Tolltac come to mind, but there have been many. Probably the best horse I was a part of was a gelding by Sold Short out of Miss Peggy Royal. His name was Shorty Charge, and he was quite successful here in the area under the training of Jay Pitcher.
Q. THE FUTURE OF QUARTER HORSE RACING, AND HORSE RACING IN GENERAL, IS ALWAYS A HOT TOPIC. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MEASURES NEED TO BE TAKEN
TO ENSURE THE FUTURE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE SPORT?
A. As we know, the future of all horse racing in general is a hot topic. I feel we need to follow the words and advice of Janet VanBebber, the Chief Racing Officer of the AQHA, and get every jurisdiction on the same page with respect to medication and testing and support our industry together. We don’t need government intervention.
Q. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE WHO MAY WANT TO BECOME A TRACK STEWARD, OR JUST GET INVOLVED PROFESSIONALLY IN THE HORSE RACING INDUSTRY?
A. “My advice for somebody that thinks they want to become a steward or an official is to see what
is around in their area – local racing associations, training stables, etc. Visit a race track and see the best athletes in the world. Visit with a trainer if they can, because trainers are the backbone of racing and they are some pretty cool dudes, too. Even if the press likes to paint the industry in a dark light, the horse trainers in this nation care about the safety of the horse and jockey first. The rest is immaterial.
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Dolli Byron
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Phone (405) 310-4651 Fax (405) 310-4655
SPEEDHORSE, August 2019 111
THE BACKSIDE