Danielle Hodsdon

Danielle Hodsdon is a young steeplechase jockey who I recently met at Colonial Downs. After a phone call I got in touch with Danielle for an interview and 3 days after the interview I saw her win her 1st race at Saratoga when I went up there. Am I good luck or what?

Danielle Hodsdon with Chris at Colonial Downs, July, 2003

FOTH: Where were you born and where did you grow up?

DH: I was born in New Hampshire and I also grew up there.

FOTH: What sort of girl were you growing up?

DH: I was a tomboy pretty much.

FOTH: Growing up did you know pretty much you wanted to be a jockey or was that the farthest thing from your mind?

DH: I grew up eventing actually so I never was around race horses. I just did 3 day events.

FOTH: Do you have any brothers or sisters?

DH: I have one younger brother.

FOTH: What does he and your parents think of you being a jockey?

DH: My brother supports me, but they are all a little bit concerned I guess. I have always been supported as far as riding and with the horses, though I am sure they prefer if I wasn't riding over fences.

FOTH: What event or events led to you starting to race ride?

DH: Well, when I went to college I started galloping out for a trainer in Virginia and he had steeplechase horses.

FOTH: Were you taught anything as far as riding goes or did you have to learn a lot on your own?

DH: Oh I have been taught lots. By trainers I've worked for and other jockeys I have ridden with. You also pick up some on your own through experience as well.

FOTH: I saw you ride in an amateur race at Philadelphia Park last year. Did you ride in many of those?

DH: Last year I rode in 7 I guess. I went to Italy to ride in one of them as well.

FOTH: Have you ridden in any actual thoroughbred races or just steeplechase and amateur jockey races?

DH: No.

FOTH: Is that something you want to try and do one day?

DH: Well the problem is I am kinda in between weight. I could probably lose enough weight to ride on the flats, but I probably would not be strong enough to ride. We carry more weight with the steeplechase horses. I could do both, but it would be very difficult to do both. Blythe Miller would do both and she said it was very difficult to do both.

FOTH: Did you get a chance a lot to ride on like say a weekly basis?

DH: We usually have 2 meets going on the same weekend and we usually have a couple each weekend and during the summer when we are at the tracks it is usually once or twice a week.

FOTH: What are some of the tracks you have ridden at?

DH: Colonial Downs, Monmouth Park, Philadelphia Park, Saratoga, Italy.

FOTH: What was the 1st race you ever won?

DH: It was a apprentice/amateur race at Foxfields In Virginia.

FOTH: Oh never heard of that track.

DH: It is one of our hunt meets and once in the spring and once in the fall it is just steeplechasing.

FOTH: Did you get the jockey ritual after the race?

DH: They soaked me with water.

FOTH: How do you prepare for a steeplechase race?

DH: I usually put a lot of thought into it cause your only riding one or 2 races a week so I put a lot of thought into the horses past performance and its running style and you take what the trainer has to say as his instructions are obviously the bottom line and you kinda take a feel for other the horses in the race and what the trainer tells you.

FOTH: Have you had any serious injuries yet?

DH: I have broke my collarbone 2 times in 2002 and then in the spring of 2002. I also got a concussion this past spring.

FOTH: Any thoughts of retiring after you got the concussion?

DH: Not due to my injuries. I think if you get a lot of head injuries you would have to consider that. I have been very lucky so far I have only one head injury.

FOTH: Do you have any set goals?

DH: I have set a few goals for this year, like to get to ride races up here at Saratoga, to win more races that I did last year. I haven't set any career goals I guess. To be successful as a steeplechase jockey would be one as there are not many of us doing that.

FOTH: Any other female jockeys you admire?

DH: Blythe Miller as far as riders go she is the very best.

FOTH: Do you female jockeys/steeplecahse riders do not get the respect they deserve?

DH: I would say it is harder. It varies from trainer to trainer. Some like woman jockeys and other don't. One problem with steeplechase riding is we are not as strong which can be really tough. I think we get respect for being a bit more tactical in the races.

FOTH: How long would you like to do this for?

DH: As long as it is still fun I will do this. I never started doing this for money I did it for fun.

FOTH: Is there any stuff you like to do when your away from horse racing?

DH: I love down hill skiing in the wintertime. I don't have a lot of time as I have my own horse to that I love to do eventing, showing and hunting and stuff like that with him. I like to read a lot and I also went to school for athletic training, but that isn't really a hobby.

FOTH: Take us what you do in a typical day.

DH: At the farm meet we don't start till 7am, if we are at a racetrack we start at 6am. I basically just ride all morning and the day winds down about 11am. When I am home I might some show horses and if I am here I work here grazing and stuff.

FOTH: What advice would you give a young girl who wanted to become a jockey?

DH: Just basically try and get as much riding experience as you can. And then find a farm that you can gallop at. Find a trainer that will let you get on some horses at his farm. Try and get on as many race horses as you can before you actually go to the track.

FOTH: Well I am all out of questions. Thanks for the interview. Any last words you want to say?

DH: Thanks for the interview and good luck with the site.

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