Lisa Love
Lisa Love is a jockey I had seen ride on tv several times. When she moved her tack to Florida I managed to track her down for an interview and here is what was said.
FOTH: Where were you
born and where did you grow up?
LL: I was born in a little town called Colorado City,
Texas and I was raised between there and Odessa, Texas.
FOTH: What sort of kid were you growing up?
LL: I grew up on a farm with horses and cattle. I would
spend time at my parents’ house and then in the summer I would spend the weekends
with my grandparents on the farm. I was kind of a tomboy.
FOTH: It seems most female jockeys are.
(both laugh)
FOTH: Were you always interested in horses at a young age and stuff?
LL: Yeah I was riding a mule right after I learned
how to walk! SO I was always on some kind of donkey, mule or something.
FOTH: What event or events led to you becoming a jockey?
LL: Well I was working construction and painting houses
in a contract business and I was sitting in a pub and I saw racing on tv and
I said "lookie there. that looks like a lot more fun than painting houses" so
I knew of a little training center outside San Antonio so when I finished my
obligations I just threw some clothes in the back of my car and took off and
just showed up. It has been quite a learning experience.
FOTH: Were most people helpful and into giving you positive advice when you
started out?
LL: I don't think anybody ever turned me down when
I asked questions. When I was at Thistedown in Ohio, not only did the jockeys
help me, but the stewards and clerk of scales, Danny Mac. Any questions I would
have, they would sit down and help me and they would keep working with me till
I started to get it. They said just keep trying and you'll get it. So they were
very instrumental in helping my riding career. So I'm very grateful for that.
FOTH: Tell us a little about your first race. Was that at Thistletown?
LL: Yes it was. I was very nervous too. I had a new
saddle and jock pants. Now they told me when you get on it your pants are gonna
be real slick, now I just went with it. You know how you can spray pam or something
to make something real slick. I thought somebody might have sprayed them cause
they were so slick, I almost felt off the other side. The horse didn't help
any as he was rearing up, but we survived. Until you experience a lot of dirt
hitting you in the face and that is something that is hard to explain especially
when you’re last you get the whole field throwing dirt at ya so you learn to
duck your head. (we both laugh).
FOTH: Tell us about your 1st win. Was that at Thistledown as well?
LL: That was also at Thisteldown and the horse's name
was "Furthy Furd" (hope that is right-Chris) and he just dragged me around the
track. He won the race in spite of me. (we both laugh). A good horse will make
a good rider.
FOTH: Did you get creamed after the race and did you know that was coming?
LL: Well I didn't know much about it and when we were
coming back I was told they were gonna get me and I didn't know what they meant,
but I got it. Water, eggs, and I don't know all what else that had mixed up
in there. They got me quite well. It took several shampoos to get whatever they
put in there out of my hair.
FOTH: What were some of the other girl jockeys you got along with up at Thistledown?
LL: Jane Magrell she helped me tremendously. When I
was getting ready for my 1st race I didn't have any jock pants and when I was
putting on a pair getting ready for the race you raise the bottoms of them up
I was telling her my pants are too short and she took me from step 1 to showing
me how to put my goggles on, how to pull them down during the race, etc. Rhonda
Swan is another that helped me after races we would watch the replays and she
would give me advice on this and that.
FOTH: Did you ever ride at Beulah or Mountaineer?
LL: I rode at Beulah and a few at Mountaineer.
FOTH: Is there a big difference in the 3 tracks?
LL: Mountaineer to me is a very deep track and I don't
really care for Beulah, and Thistledown I prefer racing there of the 3.
FOTH: What made you decide to make the move down to Florida here in the early
months of 2003?
LL: Well I had a lot of people from Ohio come to Tampa
Bay Downs, so I decided to go down there and visit with some of my friends you
know. So I came down to visit with some of the riders and trainers. So I started
to build a foundation up for when Calder opens up. I ride at Gulfstream part
time and if things don't work I'll call Danny Mac and say "I'm coming home"
(we both laugh).
FOTH: Do you get nervous riding at a big track like Gulfstream?
LL: The riders there make you feel right at home. You
might think with the elite riders riding there they would shun you and stuff,
but it is just the opposite.
FOTH: Looking back was being a jockey harder or easier than you thought it would
be?
LL: Much harder. It is probably the most physically
challenging thing I have ever done in my life.
FOTH: Takes us through what you do in a typical day.
LL: I usually get up around 5am and I get to the track
around 5:45am and I either gallop something I have set up and I get done around
9am. Right now I am working part time in the jock's kitchen and if I have something
to ride they let me off to ride the race. After that I go take a shower and
get ready to do it again.
FOTH: What do you like to do in your spare time?
LL: I like to go watch a movie and I enjoy football
season.
FOTH: Who is your team?
LL: Well being from Texas I have to root for the Dallas
Cowboys.
FOTH: Great choice the Cowboys are my favorite team as well. What advice would
you give a girl on how to be a jockey?
LL: I would suggest getting in with a good trainer.
Somebody that has good horses so they can teach you how to ride.
FOTH: Do you have any set goals for yourself?
LL: Just to be the best I can be.
FOTH: Any funny jockey stories to share?
LL: Jane Magrell was in the gates and they rang the
bell and all the horses left but hers. You know how the ambulance goes behind
the horses, she was chasing the ambulance.
FOTH: Do you think being a female rider that you get the proper respect that
you deserve?
LL: You hate to bring a gender issue, but you might
have to work a little harder to turn some heads. If you work hard and show up,
people will notice.
FOTH: Lisa that is all the questions I have for you. Good luck with everything
and we appreciate you taking the time to let us interview you for our page.
LL: Thanks for giving me the interview I really do
appreciate it and good luck with the web site.