Sarah Gibson
When Jim and I decided to take a weekend road trip we made 3 stops. The first stop was at Delaware Park (Saturday afternoon; Jim had a horse running--he finished fourth), Charles Town Races (Saturday night), and Philadelphia Park (Sunday afternoon). All 3 tracks were great and in the first race Saturday night, a brand new apprentice rider named Sarah Gibson really impressed both of us. She came from way back to win the first race at Charles Town and of course both of us had her to win. After the race we had a sit down chat with this young jockey. Remember, if she hits the big time, you know where you read about her first. Interview by Jim and Chris.
Sarah Gibson at Charles Town
Races, September,2001
FOTH: OK where were you born and where did you grow up.
SG: I was born in Lubbock, Texas and I grew up in Virginia.
FOTH: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
SG: There are six of us altogether and I am the youngest.
FOTH: I know you’re still young, but how were you growing up in your young teenage years? Were you more of a tomboy or were you like a reckless youth sort of girl or did you pretty much keep to yourself.
SG: I was a mixture of both. I was a tomboy and also kept to myself as well.
FOTH: What first got you into horse racing?
SG: Pony racing. I started pony racing and then somebody asked me if I wanted to learn how to gallop horses and I said "yeah." And I did and I ended up here.
FOTH: Was the first track you ever rode at right here?
SG: Yes it was.
FOTH: What did you think of horses when you first saw them and how did it feel getting up on a horse the first time?
SG: I was a little nervous and excited at the same time.
FOTH: You’re a fairly new jockey. Who taught you how to ride and what did they teach you?
SG: A few people I really owe a lot of credit to. Mike Pearson taught me how to gallop a horse and gave me the confidence to ride a horse. Bobby Armstrong taught me a lot about finishing and looking good, trying to look better on a horse. Communicating with horses better.
FOTH: When you started galloping and exercising horses, did you know right away you wanted to become a jockey?
SG: I knew the first day. I have always wanted to be a jockey since I was 9. I used to always watch the races and that is what I wanted to be.
FOTH: Any other female jockeys you admire?
SG: Elaina Sheridan (who also rides at Charles Town) because she has been in the game a long time. She tries real hard and she is a good rider. She plays the rule book every time. She saves ground, closes well, tries well, she is a good rider and I admire her for doing it for so long.
FOTH: Now lets go the other way how about male jockeys?
SG: Pat Day would be one. Laffit Pincay, Jr. (has most wins ever by a jockey) you can't beat him. He is the man. He will ride anything. He is not picky he is not "No I won't ride that horse". He will ride it just to ride it.
FOTH: I know you told us you rode at Colonial Downs (Virginia). This is a six-furlong track. Colonial is a mile and a quarter track. What do you notice the difference in the two tracks?
SG: Turns are a lot easier on the horses at Colonial.
FOTH: Does that change your riding style at all then?
SG: Yes you really have to wait a lot more because when you get to the head of the stretch you’re not right there you still have a long way to go. You have to sit down and wait.
FOTH: How long ago did you ride your first race and what do you remember about it?
SG: A couple months ago it was. July 13th. I remember it was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I was so nervous I couldn't even swallow. It was so much easier than I thought. I mean I was expecting it to be some horrible experience. I knew it would be fun; I didn't know what to expect.
FOTH: Was it here and do you remember the name of the horse?
SG: Yes it was here at Charles Town and the name of the horse was 'Little Honey.'
FOTH: How long after that till you rode your first winner?
SG: 23 rides. And it was here at Charles Town and the horse was called 'Colorless'
FOTH: Was it a long shot or more like a favorite.
SG: It went off 11-1.
FOTH: And the other jockeys got you after the race.
SG: Yeah yeah. (laughs)
FOTH: How does your family feel about you being a jockey and have they seen you ride?
SG: My dad comes to all my races. He is real supportive and always has been and my mom has been too. She comes to quite a few races. She makes it when she can. They have been real supportive and good about it.
FOTH: Is being a jockey harder than you thought it would be? Is it hard for you to make weight at all?
SG: I have no trouble making the weight. I usually have to carry lead most of the time. (She means they put weight in the saddle to make sure the horse is riding at its correct weight listed for the race). Fitness wise I would say yes. When you watch people ride you really don't think it would take much to be a jockey. It doesn't look hard. Most of the time when see somebody ride it doesn't look that hard.
FOTH: Now do you lift any weights or take any supplements at all?
SG: I take a lot of vitamins. I don't really have time to lift weights cause I go gallop here in the morning and then go to school. I don't have time to lift weight per say, but I do gallop a lot of horses in the morning.
FOTH: Do you plan on staying in this area or do you plan on trying to ride somewhere else maybe next year?
SG: I want to go to Monmouth Park, but I have to stay here till I finish the school year here. I don’t know what kind of chances I'll have to go somewhere else. I'd like to go somewhere else one day.
FOTH: What goals do you have for yourself?
SG: Probably leading female rider.
FOTH: How do you prepare for a race your riding in?
SG: I read the form, but it doesn't tell you much because it tells you what he did, not exactly what he is gonna do. But it does help you out a lot as far as what they way the horse likes to run. Mostly I look for distance and post position of the horse.
FOTH: Do you always follow the trainer's advice exactly or do you sometimes throw that out depending on how the race is shaping up?
SG: I always try and do exactly what the trainer tells me. You have to keep them happy. If you lose the race and you do exactly what they tell you to do they have no reason to be angry at you.
FOTH: How long would you like to ride for?
SG: As long as I can.
FOTH: Name the first thing that pops in your head when I say these words ok.
FOTH: Kentucky Derby
SG: Crowded
FOTH: Julie Krone
SG: Awesome
FOTH: Charlestown Race Track
SG: Fun
FOTH: Any last words you want to say. Sarah thanks for chatting with us and good luck on the rest of your riding career.
SG: Thanks a lot for the interview and I hope to see you around again.