Tara Hemmings
Tara Hemmings is a young apprentice rider over at Philadelphia Park. I recently had a chance to sit down and talk with her and this was what was said:
Tara
Hemmings at Philadelphia Park
FOTH: Where were you born and where did you grow up?
TH: I was born in England and I also grew up in England.
FOTH: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
TH: I have one brother and one sister.
FOTH: How did you get involved in horse racing?
TH: I started by going to horse college for 2 years and I decided I wanted to go into race horses. I went to Newmarket Racing School. They have racing schools in England and it is mandatory if your under 19. You go to school to learn about race horses and then they put you into a job.
FOTH: That is very interesting. What did you think of horse racing before you actually went to school? Are there a lot of race tracks over in England?
TH: There are a lot of tracks over in England. There is a whole bunch and I got into jumping as well. I also have done amateur steeple chase racing. I was carrying too much in lead cause I am a lot light, so I decided to get into flat racing.
FOTH: What did they actually teach you at this school?
TH: Everything from the ground up. How to groom, how to saddle a horse, if the horse is sick what to do cause at home we had grooms and the riders. It's not like the grooms we have here and you have separate riders. At home we do everything ourselves.
FOTH: What did your parents think of you being a jockey?
TH: They were all for it, whatever makes me happy. I have always been into horses my whole life.
FOTH: What did you do differently as far as riding over here as opposed to over in England?
TH: The riding style is very different. The jockeys are a lot more aggressive with the whip over here. They go around the other way over in England. All we have is mainly turf racing back home. Over here you have both turf and dirt racing.
FOTH: Did you find it hard to adjust to the different riding style over here or was it fairly easy?
TH: It took a little while cause my whole life was spent over in England, but I have been over here a while now so it's ok now.
FOTH: What are some other tracks you have ridden at besides Philadelphia Park?
TH: Penn National, Monmouth Park, Meadowlands and Charlestown. I also exercised horses for a number of years and that was in Florida, New York and Kentucky.
FOTH: Tell us a bit about your first actual race here in the US.
TH: It was at Santa Anita in California and I was very nervous. There was a big screen at Santa Anita and I saw myself on it and I saw hundreds of people watching me and it was pretty nerve racking, but I am glad I got that first race out of the way.
FOTH: Wow I have never heard of a female rider even riding at one of the big California tracks before. How many races did you ride out there?
TH: Just the one race, but while I was there I worked out Point Given, Silver Charm as well as other horses while I was out there.
FOTH: Very interesting Tara. So how did you end up out here?
TH: Well they have all the top jockeys out there and it is hard for women to get going and somebody said "Come to Philadelphia Park" so a week later I came here.
FOTH: How exciting was it to get your first win? Did you get creamed with stuff after the race?
TH: Yes I was very excited when I won my first race and the jockeys they got me really good with eggs and everything. That was here at Philadelphia Park for John McCaslin.
FOTH: Do you feel you ride a certain riding style? Do you feet you ride differently that the other riders?
TH: I think I ride a little English and American. Kind of a mix of the two.
FOTH: How long do you think you will ride for?
TH: I pretty much take things day to day. Everything I try I try 110% so I'm giving it my best and seeing how it goes.
FOTH: Any track you would like to ride at someday?
TH: I would like to ride at Churchill. I have exercised there, but never actually ridden there.
FOTH: What advice would you give to somebody that wants to become a jockey?
TH: I would tell them to get experience by galloping horses so you have some experience with horses. If you still want to go ahead and be a jockey, try to find a good agent and trainer to back you.
FOTH: Is being a jockey easier or harder than you thought?
TH: I would say harder.
FOTH: Take us through what you do in a typical day.
TH: I get up around 5:15am and I am at the track by 6:00am. I make my rounds and see several trainers. I get on several horses in the morning. I see my agent and then I'm in the jock's room by 11am and then I go ride in the afternoon. After the races I usually wind down and relax.
FOTH: Any hobbies or stuff you like to do when you are away from the track?
TH: I like to go to the movies and in the summer I like to swim and play volleyball.
FOTH: Tara thanks for the interview. Any last words?
TH: Not really. Just thanks for letting me be part of your website.
After the interview Tara went out and won the 7th race on a horse called Final Dispersal for trainer Scott Lake. I guess being on our site does bring you good luck.