“And they’re off!”

Some pretty well-known words for anyone who listens to race calling. Travis Stone, the track announcer for Harrah’s Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, Louisiana answered some questions regarding this talent.
You can visit Travis’ site at http://www.racecalling.com/ and if interested in a handicapping course, check out http://www.racecalling.com/bpcc.php.

Have you always been interested in horses and when did you start out race calling?
I started race calling when I was really young by practicing with toys, my bike, marbles – you name it. It became a serious endeavor around the age of 12. Horse racing sold me the second I watched my first race.

How much of your day/week is based around horses?
Literally around horses? Not much. I follow the sport religiously on the internet and through television. I am an avid reader of racing news, and contribute to various discussion groups throughout the net.

In this field is it possible for someone to be a full time professional, earning a livable income?
I’m very lucky in that my job allows me to work year-round on salary. I purchased my first home last year. Each day I wake-up and realize how lucky I am. However, many announcing jobs are part-time. It’s a tough career for sure.

What are the general steps taken to become a race caller?
Practice, practice, practice. Also, make contacts. Get experience in racing, no matter what level. I wrote for a newspaper, auctioneered – did anything I could to beef-up the resume.

Any advice for those interested in pursuing this discipline?
Practice more than you think is necessary. I’m not ashamed to admit that I probably called upwards of 200 races a day when I was younger with nothing to do. One summer I had a job I could do from home, so I would spend a few hours each day just calling races using computer games. I attribute a good chunk of where I am today to my ability to practice that much.

Is there anything else with horses you’d love to learn about or try?
I think training horses would be a great challenge. Also, the marketing of horse racing, which I do a bit in now, would interest me as well. Maybe, just maybe, doing the racing secretary thing for a bit, but that’s a high-stress job.

Favourite horse memory?
Cigar going undefeated in the 1995 Breeders’ Cup Classic. It was my first Breeders’ Cup. I remember watching him roll past the 1/8 pole like it was yesterday.

Future goals?
My ultimate goal is to call races in New York. That’s where I grew-up, that’s the racing I know and love. I would also like to call the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
It’s a blast! Seriously, it’s fun. It’s work, and you have to be professional, but it’s a lot of fun.

“To get in shape to own a horse… Leap out of a moving vehicle and practice “relaxing into the fall”. Roll lithely into a ball, and spring to your feet!”

tag: self education, networking, auction, racing, racecalling, racehorses, thoroughbreds, career, kentucky derby, breeders’ cup

===========================

Making hotel reservations before hand is always best. Even if it is an orlando hotel or an iowa house hotel, the reservations should always be made. This courtesy should not be extended to the new york hotels only. And these hotels are certainly no less than any chicago hotel.

Jane Savoie (http://www.janesavoie.com/) is a name that could bring up an image of a competitor, coach, instructor, clinician, speaker or author.  Well versed in the equine industry, she kindly took the time to answer some questions regarding competing in dressage at a high level.

Have you always been interested in horses and when did you start out competing in dressage?
I’ve had a love affair with horses since I was a child. I started in dressage in my mid-20’s. I was eventing before then, and the only horse I could afford was a broken down racehorse with a bowed tendon.  Because of his injury, he couldn’t jump, so I focused on dressage. I was hooked.

How much of your day/week is hands on with horses?
6-7 days
Â
In this field is it possible for someone to be a full time professional, earning a livable income?
It’s definitely possible, but perhaps not as easy as some other professions. I always tell horse crazy kids to go to college or get some kind of education beyond high school so they have something to fall back on.
Â
What are the general steps taken to be able to compete at a high level?
1. Get on the longe line and develop an independent seat. Aids given from a poor riding position aren’t as effective as aids given from an independent seat.
2. Learn the BASICS. Everything goes back to the basics. I house build on a poor foundation will topple in a storm.
3. Apprentice yourself to a top rider/trainer.
4. Ride as many different types of horses as you can.
Â
Any advice for those interested in pursuing this discipline?
As I said above, apprentice yourself to a top trainer. Then later, if you’re really serious, you need to spend time training and competing in Europe.
Â
Is there anything else with horses you’d love to learn about or try?
I use an energy therapy called the Emotional freedom Technique (EFT) to help riders deal with emotional issues like fear, tension, and lack of confidence as well as to manage pain. I am working on using the same therapy to help animals.
Â
Favourite horse memory?
The first time I earned the right to wear the US flag on my saddle pad as I cantered down the centerline. That was in Rotterdam, Holland in 1990.
Â
Future goals?
I’ve just finished a huge home study course called a Happy Horse. The goal of the course is to help riders who live in areas without good trainers as well as clarify the steps that allow you to train a horse that is happy and comfortable in his work. I’m thinking about following up this course with some sort of interactive on line “University” course.
Riding goals: My Friesian, Menno PM had his debut at Prix St Georges this winter. My goal is to compete him at Grand Prix in the not to distant future.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
I learn something every single day–both from the horses and from my students.

“Ten ways to get in shape to own a horse… marry money!”

Just some housekeeping. For those interested, I’ve started a new category that will ‘Profile’ people from particular disciplines. The aim is to build up a heap of interviews of sorts with those who have made it in the industry and are able to pass on some wisdom/insights about their particular field. Enjoy! And feel free to mention people you’d love to see profiled.

“To get in shape to own a horse… Learn to grab your chequebook out of your purse/pocket and write out a $200 cheque without even looking down.”

With her race mare Ethereal, Sheila Laxon became the first female trainer to win the Melbourne Cup in 2001. John Symons and Shelia Laxon run JSL Racing located in Seymour, Victoria, Australia. Sheila kindly took the time to answer some questions about her profession.

Have you always been interested in horses and when did you start out training racehorses?
We spelled beach ponies at our farm from when I was about three so was riding before I can remember! Was involved in training racehorses from 12 years old when my sister and I went to the local racing stable to groom them and ride them out. Actually had a Trainer’s Licence in 1997 but started training a bigger team in 1999.

How much of your day/week is hands on with horses?
You could say 24/7! Never stops (see what time it is now! 6.30am)

In this field is it possible for someone to be a full time professional, earning a livable income?
Yes, the job is what you make it and I do believe that the more you put in to it, the more you get out of it. There is a lot of luck involved in getting the horse that can run, but there are plenty around if you can spend the time in developing them into wanting to be a racehorse. And certainly the prize money is huge if you can get the right horse.

What are the general steps taken to become a qualified trainer?
If you are horse orientated from a young age (i.e. show jumping / eventing etc) I think you gravitate into the racing game because it’s the most financially rewarding aspect to be involved in. You can be involved in breaking in, spelling, pretraining, re-educating rogue horses and get the chance to continue training them to get to the races.

Any advice for those interested in pursuing this discipline?
I am not sure that the courses available are the best way to pursue getting into training as I do believe the hands on experience you can have developing horses that other people have given up on, gives you the edge on the trainer next door. I would suggest someone who is keen to have a go at being involved with training horses should go to work for a trainer they admire and learn as much as they can about why that trainer has the success he/she has.

Is there anything else with horses you’d love to learn about or try?
I think you can learn something new about horses every day. I’d love to go back to show jumping, which was my initial involvement in the competition world, but it is a very full time pursuit for little financial reward and, in this day and age, you have to consider the time input ratio into whatever path you wish to follow.

Favourite horse memory?
Ethereal getting to the winning post first in the Melbourne Cup!

Future goals?
Doing it again to prove it wasn’t a fluke!!

Best thing about your sport/profession?
Earning your livelihood out of your favourite pastime, meeting so many people, traveling so much, spending a lot of time outdoors.

“To get in shape to own a horse… drop a heavy steel object on your foot. Don’t pick it up right away. Shout: ‘Get off, Stupid! Get off!'”

tag: training, australia, showjumping, thoroughbreds, racehorses, melbourne cup

Have you always been interested in horses and when did you start out eventing?
Yes, I have always loved and been interested in horses. My earliest memory is riding my aunties horse when I was three. I was first introduced to eventing through pony club when I guess I was 11 or 12, but I didn’t start doing a lot of eventing until I was probably 16 or 17.

How much of your day/week is horse work/horse riding?
Basically all of my waking hours!

In this field is it possible for someone to be a full time professional? If yes, is this on account of sponsorship or is it possible to earn a livable income?
In Australia it is not really possible to be just an event rider, but it is possible to earn a good income through teaching and training horses to sell on.

What are the general steps taken to work your way up in this field?
Most people will start through a pony club or adult riders club and move from there into EFA competition. Once you have developed your skills enough you aim to get involved in state squads and then eventually national squads in the hope of being selected onto a national team for something like the World Games or Olympic Games.

Any advice for those interested in pursuing this discipline?
Be patient and enjoy the learning. Like anything in life there is no quick and easy way to the top.

Is there anything else with horses you’d love to learn about or try?
I am very interested in anything to do with horses and love to learn from all the different horse disciplines. There isn’t just one specific think I’d like to try.

Favourite horse memory?
My favourite horse memory is of lying on my pony ‘Cobber’ while he grazed in the paddock with the other horses. I used to wait out in the paddock with him until mum and dad came home from work. He was the best pony.

Future goals?
2008 Olympics and then hopefully future World Games and Olympic Games with upcoming horses.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
The wonderful people you meet. The eventing group are definitely a nice mix of people.

“Just knowing we have both learnt something when I have finished riding is enough for me!”

tag: australia, coaching, instructing, pony club, showjumping, shows, training, competition, eventing

===========================

Usually with such events in vicinity hotels are booked to brim and you can rarely find a free space in the hotel and resturant of the town. With las vegas hotels, the chances are really slim. Your chances are more if it is a miami hotel you are enquiring about, or a san francisco hotel.