Shannon Uske
Shannon
Uske is a young apprentice rider currently riding
up in
FOTH: Where were you born and where did you grow up?
SU: I was born in
FOTH: Was becoming a jockey something you always wanted to do or did you kinda just fall into it?
SU: I always wanted to become a jockey ever since I saw racing.
FOTH: Were you taken to a racetrack when you were younger?
SU: I was taken to
FOTH: When you got up on a horse for the first time did it feel natural to you?
SU: I used to ride my German Shepherd around the house when I was a young girl and pretend it was a pony. For me it was very natural.
FOTH: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
SU: I have one sister. She is a year older than me.
FOTH: What dies she and your parents think of you being a jockey?
SU: They are very supportive.
My sister has a whole fan club for me at
FOTH: Tell us a little bit about how you became a jockey?
SU: Well I always wanted
to be a jockey since I was 4 years old and I started taking lessons on jumpers when I was 7 years old
and I was 13 or 14 and I started galloping horses at a farm over in
FOTH: I know you won your
first race down at Gulfstream. How did you end up going down to
SU: I was galloping for
Allen Jerkens and he went down to
FOTH: Were you as surprised as anybody when you won your 1st race?
SU: Yes I was very excited and it turned out to be a nice horse (Lilah). I was very surprised and it was like a dream come true.
FOTH: What was going through your mind as you were going into the winner's circle?
SU: I was like in shock kind of. The was the happiest day of my life. It was everything I had dreamed of. I couldn't believe it.
FOTH: Did they get you after the race?
SU: I didn't know till the assistant trainer told me on the way back "they are gonna get you now" and I was like "what" and when I got into the jock's room they got me with water and everything. (giggles)
FOTH: How was it getting
into the winner's circle up at Saratoga this year? I also was watching the
race at
SU: That was very exciting. I liked it even better than my first win. The crowd is so into it up there. They just surrounded the winner's circle and it was just great.
FOTH: I read where you were
thinking of riding at
SU:
FOTH: Do you pretty much plan on staying and doing the NY circuit year round?
SU: I plan on saying in NY. It is the best racing around. The purses are good as well as the trainers and jockeys.
FOTH: Take us through what you do in a typical day.
SU: I get up about 5am and
I am at the barn by 6am and I usually gallop 5 or 6 horses in the morning. I get home around
FOTH: What do you think of steeplechase racing?
SU: I think it is pretty cool to watch. I prefer thoroughbred horses cause they go faster. It is cool watching like 12 horses going around the jump course.
FOTH: Do you have any goals for yourself?
SU: I just want to become a good jockey and have a successful career.
FOTH: If a young girl came up to you and said I want to become a jockey what advice would you give her?
SU: Go for your dreams. Keep working hard. Tell her to start riding horses and go for it.
FOTH: Anything you like to do when you’re away from the race track?
SU: I like to read books about horse racing. The different aspects of training horses and stuff. I like to go shopping (giggles). I love buying clothes.
FOTH: What did you think of the movie Seabiscuit?
SU: I thought it was a pretty good movie. It was pretty realistic for a horse racing movie.
FOTH: Any other female jockeys you admire?
SU: Rosemary Homeister Jr. helped me out a lot when I was down in Florida. Up here in NY Diane Nelson helps me out a lot as well.
FOTH: Do you feel as a female rider that you do not get the respect that you deserve?
SU: For the most part I think I get respected pretty well, but there are a few trainers here that actually will not ride a girl. Most trainers here are pretty good.
FOTH: Do you do anything special like lift weights or jog, etc., to keep yourself strong?
SU: Sometimes I will lift and stuff.
FOTH: Is there any one track you would like to ride at one day?
SU: Keeneland looks like a really nice track and I the turf course up at Santa Anita looks really nice to ride.
FOTH: How long would you like to ride for?
SU: Pretty much for as long as I can barring any injuries I might have.
FOTH: Shannon that is all the questions I have. Thanks for the interview and good luck with everything. Any last words you want to say to wrap this up?
SU: Thanks for the interview Chris.