Turning into a a number of race-winning jockey was the least probably of profession paths Abigail In a position envisioned for herself.
‘Actually, nursing was my first alternative,’ she admitted, occupied with the medical career she aborted as soon as she found a direct reference to horses eight years in the past.
That transformative second got here on considered one of her common visits to her sister Kerry, who labored on the Caymanas Park pool the place the horses swim.
A 19-year-old Abigail requested horse coach Rowan Mathie if she may trip one of many horses throughout a coaching train.
L: Abigail and groomer Marvin Frazer fed Equinox pasture grass within the DaCosta Stables. R: Horse proprietor and coach Jason DaCosta shared a body with In a position on the DaCosta Stables at Caymanas Park, the place the 2 paused from tending to the gelding, Miniature Man. (Picture: Richard Lindo)
‘He stated sure, and I went on Polly B going again down on the monitor,’ In a position remembers.
‘Then, a tractor was coming onto the monitor, and it spooked the horse, and he broke off. I didn’t know what to do, and he was bolting, however for some purpose every thing felt wonderful.’
In a position’s memory had her smiling ear-to-ear because the dialog of her jockey life unfolds within the stables of horse proprietor and coach Jason Dacosta at Caymanas in Portmore, St Catherine.
‘Finally, Polly B stopped and everybody got here to my rescue. I used to be not thrown off. It was wonderful, and I used to be like ‘I really like this!’’ she shared.
After the adrenaline rush of her fortuitous episode, In a position, a resident within the Park’s close by Caymanas Gardens neighborhood, began visiting the monitor each morning.
She enrolled and graduated from the Jamaica Racing Fee racing college in 2018.
Of the schooling obtained there, she disclosed: ‘I went for six months. They take you to the health club and to polo grounds and provide the fundamentals, the do’s and the don’ts of tips on how to take care of the horse, polo leaping and what it’s essential know.’
Upon commencement, she labored as an apprentice for a three-year stretch, earlier than transitioning to being a full-time jockey.
‘Rohan Mathie used to provide me a number of horses to go on, till I moved on from Rohan and Wayne Dacosta, and I used to be with Wayne till I turned over to Jason Dacosta, so I’m nonetheless proper right here,’ remarked the now-seasoned jockey.
In a position has received greater than 20 races, two of them in 2024, driving her beloved Equinox, now-a five-year-old filly.
The diminutive jockey, as ardent a fan of tattoos as she is of horses, is presented with an agreeable disposition.
Naturally, she is enthusiastic about horses. ‘They’re wonderful!’ In a position piped up in-between feeding her beloved Equinox stalks of pasture grass.
‘I actually love them and spending time with them. You will discover me kissing them, they usually really love me additionally. They fascinate me.’
Strolling us by her common day as a jockey, In a position stated she’s sometimes awake by 4:30 am.
‘I prepare and are available to the monitor. Then, the coach arrives round 6:30 am and can give driving directions [as to which of the four horse gaits] to the jockey about. After this, I give the coach suggestions on how the horses really feel, and transfer on to the following horse, and go till we’re by with the totally different horses.’
In a position, like all different jockeys at Caymanas, in preparation for race-days, takes the horses by 4 commonplace follow workout routines day by day: trotting, cantering, galloping, and strolling.
The live-wire jockey, the seventh of 10 youngsters for her mom Nerissa Brown, a janitor, mirrored on how she has advanced since first mounting a horse.
‘Once I simply began, I by no means knew something,’ In a position, a graduate of Waterford Excessive College, famous.
‘I’m not going to say I used to be courageous on the time I began out, you only a be taught one thing, you are taking your time and make every thing course of. However rising within the saddle, rising to get to know the horses, rising to know every thing, it has modified quickly. I’ve improved lots whereby I’m not afraid of the horses anymore; I can actually work any horse and inform what occur to any horse proper now.’
Happy at her progress, proprietor and coach Jason Dacosta, who’s In a position’s boss, sung her praises.
‘She has made a number of enhancements. ‘Abi’ is superb within the mornings. I feel that’s the place a number of her abilities are available. She will get alongside effectively with the horses within the morning and creates that bond with them and that interprets to the races.’
He additionally celebrated In a position’s basic demeanor as a defining high quality that separates her from her counterparts.
‘Her work ethic is what she has on the male jockeys, she is right here day-after-day. She is right here when the monitor opens to virtually when it closes,’ he disclosed.
In a position is sponsored by Bearings and Equipment Q8 Oils. ‘They signed me to be their model ambassador from February final yr,’ she disclosed.
‘They’ve been tremendous supportive, and I actually do recognize them and hope our relationship will final for a very long time.’
With two feminine jockeys lately graduated from racing college anticipated to hitch the Caymanas Park household any day now, In a position counts herself amongst 4 different ladies at the moment within the saddle at Caymanas. As to the gender dynamics at play within the sport, she stated:
‘It’s by no means going to be equal as a result of it’s a male sport, so you will see extra males within the sport than females.’
Nonetheless, she stays assured in her talents.
‘You need to show your self. Most homeowners are going to search for a male jockey as a result of they’ll say, ‘a male jockey is stronger’, however when you show your self as a feminine jockey that you are able to do the identical then you’ll get the trip from time to time. I’ve overwhelmed most male jockeys in races, what they’ll do, I can do additionally.’
In a position acknowledges that she feels revered amongst all her friends and encourages feminine jockey aspirants to hitch her on the racetrack’s beginning gate.
‘The extra females right here, the extra fascinating it’s going to get. It’s an pleasant sport however not each feminine goes to take a look at it and say ‘Hey, me a come trip horse’ as a result of it may be tough at occasions.’
In a position is undaunted and rides on. There are, in any case, extra races she has her sights on successful.
By O’Mar Tomlinson
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