Page 112 - Speedhorse December 2019

TYLER HUNTER
by John Moorehouse
“Good horses just love to win and they show it in everything they do.”
Tyler Hunter has been around racehorses for as long as he can remember. As chairman of the Utah Horse Racing Commission, he makes sure horsemen in his home state have continued opportunities.
“It has been a great learning experience for me
to be on the commission and to see what it takes to enact new laws and the difficulties that go along with this task,” Hunter stated.
Hunter also said he’s always been partial to Quarter Horses, noting, “I enjoy watching the two year olds begin racing and watch them improve as they mature and gain more experience.”
As racing in the Beehive State sets its sights on 2020, Hunter took some time out of his schedule to be the latest participant in our Lighter Side feature.
Q: Where were you born?
A: I was born and raised in Logan, Utah.
Q: What are your hobbies outside of horse racing?
A: I enjoy the outdoors. I fish year-round, I like to hunt in the fall, and I have been involved with trap- shooting from a young age. While participating
in trap shoots, I have been fortunate to win a few trophies and buckles along the way.
Q: What is your favorite movie, and why?
A: “Christmas Vacation” is probably my favorite. It’s a tradition in our family to watch it around Christmas and it is still funny to me every time.
Q: What’s an interesting fact about
your family?
A: I have Basque heritage in my family. As a family, we enjoy trying to keep a few of the Basque traditions alive. We cook traditional food and attend the annual Basque Festival in Boise, Idaho, when possible.
Q: Do you have a nickname and, if so, what is it and how did it come about?
A: My sisters had many nicknames for me growing up. The nickname that stuck has been “T. Roy.” My middle name is my maternal grandfather’s name.
Q: What is the strangest personality quirk you have ever seen in a horse?
A: I have always enjoyed watching horses in the post parade. Some of the best horses that I have seen in person warm up with a strut about them that shows me that they understand they are the best horse in the field. Good horses just love to win and they show it in everything they do. For example, AB What A Runner would strut and look her best when she knew she was going to win the race. The confidence of that filly made her win every time I saw her race.
Q: If you were not in the horse racing busi- ness, what job would you like to have?
A: If I had my choice I would have a job in the horse racing industry full time, but so far that has not happened. For now I rely on my day job, which is working in the aerospace industry building rocket motors.
Q: What is your favorite thing about living where you live?
A: I live in northern Utah, and I really enjoy having the mountains close and the ability to go hunting in the fall. I am not a big fan of the cold weather, but the good outweighs the bad.
Q: If you could vacation anywhere on the planet, where would it be & what would you do there?
A: I would really like to go to Spain to see the Basque country. I would love to see where my ancestors came from.
John Moorehouse
108 SPEEDHORSE, December 2019
THE LIGHTER SIDE