Kristina Hershey
Kristina Hershey is a young apprentice rider who is making a comeback after a short break from racing. Here is an email interview I did with her and this is a most interesting chat with a young jockey.
FOTH: Where were you born and where did you grow up?
KH: I was born in Harrisburg Hospital (Pa.) and I'm still growing up in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
FOTH: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
KH: I have an older brother by 3 years that lives in Philadelphia, and I have a step sister by 3 years that lives in Pittsburgh.
FOTH: How did you get involved in the horse racing business? Did you always know you wanted to become a jockey?
KH: As I was growing up I was horse crazy. Right across the street from me, trainer Scott Lake had a barn full of horses so I would go over there all the time. I also had a friend that I grew up with, and we would always ride her ponies and we started racing them when we were seven years old. My grandpa would also take me to the races when I was five years old. Well, when I was thirteen I really wanted to become a jockey. I went to school up until halfway through 10th grade. I started home schooling to finish up high school. I first learned to gallop when I was fifteen over at Fair Hill, Md. Then when I turned sixteen Willie Belmonte took me under his wing and taught me a lot about riding. Then he left Penn National, so I then went down to Bruce Kravets barn.
FOTH: What events led you to becoming a jockey?
KH: Well, I would have to say going to the track a lot when I was fourteen when your only 5'0" at the time riding was looking pretty exciting, and also reading The Thoroughbred Series.
FOTH: Tell us what you remember about your first race. Were you nervous at all going into the paddock for the first time?
KH: September 15th 2001, I remember getting up at five thirty to gallop at six in the morning. I galloped about ten horses the day and I was a nervous wreck! All the horses I galloped picked up on it to, least to say they were jumping around. I went home and tried to take a nap, watched a little TV until 4:30 when I just went to the track cause I was pacing around. Bringing all my stuff up to the room I just got organized and waited around. Chris Baker played Ping-Pong with me so I would relax. I remember I almost forgot to put my vest on when I was time to head out. I walked down to the paddock meet Ed Driving Hawk and mounted my horse River Frog for the mile race. When I mounted and headed out to the track I had my best friend pony me and all my nerves left and I was fine after that. Entering the gate it was a ten horse field I was 1A forth in from the outside. Breaking well I couldn't get my cross right away so I went a little wide in my first turn I ended up 8th beating two horses. I was so wired after the race I wanted to ride some more, my legs were just a tad tired though.
FOTH: Tell us about your first win. Did you get creamed with stuff after the race?
KH: September 19th 2001, My second race was my first win. I rode a horse called Way Out Front going a mile 70 for trainer Karen Kunes. I was the last race and I didn't think much of it I thought I would hit the board at least. Well, still having no whip I went down mounted and headed out to the track my post position was number 4 out of a nine horse field I think. We broke kinda slow I moved to the rail sitting behind bug rider Ashlie Nelson and Ricardo Canon beside her and Roger Chin Sue beside me. We were just sitting there chill I was having a blast until the half mile pole when he tugged the reins and wanted to go I squeezed between Canon and Nelson and Way took off. We were a length in front going into the turn I smooched at him at the quarter pole he changed leads and dug in pulling away with every stride. We won by five, after the picture it was a bucket of water on top of me after weighing in, then another one of muddy water, then I got hosed down, one more bucket before I was ready to head up, at the bottom of the stairs I had ice water and shaving cream water dumped on me. In the room I had my face shoe polished. I had an incredible night and never went to bed.
FOTH: I know you told me you stopped riding and are making a comeback. How long did you ride for and what tracks did you ride at? Why did you stop riding?
KH: I rode for two months at Penn National. I stopped for the winter because I was having trouble with my weight, the stress with people pushing all the time and I wanted to be a teenager not an adult yet so I'm back in high school for my senior year having the time of my life.
FOTH: Do you think it will be hard for you to get back into riding shape? What kind of stuff are you doing to get back in racing shape?
KH: No, I don't think it will. I have an Equcizier at home and I gallop short most of the time. Plus I'll work out and do some running and watch what I eat.
FOTH: What will you do differently as far as riding goes this time or will you pretty much ride the same?
KH: Well, I'm gonna change my riding style this time around so I can get low and get some run out of the horses. I plan to become a smart rider. I'd like to be able to ride like Clinton Potts.
FOTH: Any other female riders you like or respect?
KH: I like PJ Cooksey, Donna Barton. I had fun up in the room with Hemmings, Obed and Petty.
FOTH: Take us what goes through your mind when the gate opens for an actual race.
KH: When the gates open it's a rush of excitement and thrill and to get close to the rail ASAP. Breaking out of the gate is the best part of the race for me I love it. When I'm in a race I think of spots I can go into where I won’t get in trouble and I want to make it the shortest way around the track.
FOTH: Do you have any goals you want to accomplish as a jockey?
KH: Well, my main goal is to ride as many as I can, travel to other tracks and just be the best I can be.
FOTH: Is being a jockey harder or easier than you thought it would be?
KH: I knew it was gonna be hard. I found it incredibly hard there is so much more to think about and do than what I though.
FOTH: Have you had any accidents while up on a horse?
KH: Yes, I experienced it all I had a horse drift 5 wide in the turn coming home right after the quarter pole she felt me grabbing for my stick and ducked in to the inside and I fell right on my shoulder tearing ligaments. I also fell of a horse behind the gate when he ducked out from under me and I refractured my thumb.
FOTH: Anything funny you saw while in the jock's room or any good jockey pranks you witnessed?
KH: Yeah never get in the way of a game of Ping-Pong game when Baker is playing you’re in for a beating. Potts always would show me something new after I would ride and he always would use the pool table as an example. Not to mention I got a new whip that was lighter and flexible so it didn't look like I was "dusting the horses off," that's what Baker and Potts said. Those two always tried to pull jokes and pranks on me. And there was this one time I fell off the equicizier up in the room.
FOTH: What do you parents think of you riding and have they seen you ride?
KH: Both of my parents loved it. My dad came to just about all of my races taking pictures and my Mom would come to cheer me on. I even had my grandma come out and my aunt from Arizona came out too.
FOTH: What advice would you give somebody if they wanted to become a jockey?
KH: Do it! Don't let anyone ruin it for you. Riding is a once in a life time opportunity and it's something you wont ever regret doing.
FOTH: Any last words? Thanks for the interview.
KH: This is a tough sport you have to work hard and there are a lot of times you feel like you are on a losing battle, but don't give up just become a stronger person life will lead you where it wants you to go. Keep a smile on your face and be proud of your accomplishments.