Carie Kifer
Carie Kifer is a young girl I got to know during the winter of 2007 at Phila Park when she was an ex-rider for Pat Mcburney. That summer she became jockey and I recently got her on the phone before she went out to shop ha ha and this is what she said to my questions I asked her:
FOTH: Where were you born and where did you grow up?
CK: I was born in Water Park, FL.
FOTH: As a young girl did you know you wanted to become a jockey or was that
something that was the farthest thing from your mind?
CK: I was always interested in doing something with the
horses ever since I was like in grade school. I don't recall, but I did have
a 2nd grade school yearbook where they had a section to put what you wanted
to be when they grew up and I put I wanted to be a jockey. I didn't realize
it at the time and then when I was 10 I started doing show horses and jumping.
After I finished school I starting galloping to pay my bills.
FOTH: Were your parents supportive of you when you were young as you said you
got into show jumping and stuff like that.
CK: They were supportive of the show horses, but not racing.
They were like do whatever makes you happy.
FOTH: Have they ever seen you race live?
CK: Yes. They actually flew up and watched my 3rd race. They were actually at Tampa when I won my first race.
FOTH: Now when you were doing the show horses did you have it in the back of
your mind that maybe you entertained the thoughts of becoming a rider?
CK: When I was doing the eventing I was thinking about
becoming a trainer and this and that. It is a lot tougher than it looks working
with those show horses. Race riding you can do something you love and support
yourself and with show horses you can't do that.
FOTH: Looking back was becoming a jockey harder or easier that you thought
it was going to be?
CK: It was easier than I thought it would be.
FOTH: Do you feel so far you have been treated pretty fairly as far as a jockey
goes?
CK: Yes.
FOTH: What tracks have rode at so far?
CK: I have rode Monmouth and The Meadowlands when I started
out and then Tampa Bay Downs. I also have rode at Phila Park (which she won-cf),
Penn National, Delaware Park and I just got my license down at Laurel and rode
my 1st race down there a few days ago. Whether I go to Phila Park or Laurel
Park I would like to go to the other when one of the tracks is dark if possible.
FOTH: Now I know you were at Phila Park exercising some horses for Pat McBurney
in 2007 and you left when Monmouth Park opened. At that point were you pretty
sure that at that point you were working horses for him with the goal to be
a jockey when Monmouth Park opened?
CK: Yeah. I spent the winter galloping so I would be ready
when Monmouth opened.
FOTH: Tell me a little about your 1st race. Was that at Monmouth or Tampa?
CK: It was at Monmouth.
FOTH: Were you nervous at all walking out to the paddock and was it for Mc
Burney your 1st race?
CK: It was more excited than anything. I rode Dealer Joe.
I was on that horse almost every day and I was very comfortable good old horses
that is gonna take care of ya. I was more excited than nervous.
FOTH: Now when you were exercising horses and stuff, did you have Pat McBurney
and John Forbes teaching you how to ride or was it a lot of it you being self
taught.
CK: Yeas everybody in his stable was supportive. I broke
babies for 3 years in Ocala and there was ex jockeys there and they taught me
a lot as well, helping get the babies ready and breezing them.
FOTH: Tell me a bit about your 1st win. Was that at Tampa Bay Downs?
CK: Yes.
FOTH: Did you know when you cross the finish line that you had won the race
or did you win in a photo finish?
CK: I won by like 6 lengths. The whole time I kept saying
who is gonna catch me, I guarantee it, and that somebody was gonna catch me
before the wire. (laughs)
FOTH: What was it like jogging the horse back to the winner's circle knowing
that you had just won a race?
CK: I was ecstatic. My parents were there to see it, I
was like on my god. The horse's name was Nav Quatorze.
FOTH: Obviously you know about the jockey initiation after the race. How bad
did they get you and did you know it was coming?
CK: I knew it was coming. (giggles) They got me as I was
walking back to the paddock actually and they got me with a lot of water buckets.
The water was very cold. They had mustard, some kind of power too.
FOTH: Your riding down at Delaware right now and you said you probably will
go to Laurel after that. Do you see yourself riding after your apprenticeship
ends?
CK: Yes. I am pretty happy and take it easy and try to
get in with the better trainers and I exercise horses for Michael Matz in the
morning (that is who she won for up at phila park-chris).
FOTH: Now do you watch race replays and see what you did right and maybe wrong
and listen to advice from other jockeys?
CK: Yes. Rosemary sits in the room with me and we go over
the replay and she tells me what I need to work on and what I did good.
FOTH: Take me through what you do in a typical day?
CK: I get to the track at about 6:15 am and I get on about
8 or 9 horses for different people in the morning. With me not having an agent
right now I try and see as many people as I can.
FOTH: Have you been injury free to far as far as riding goes?
CK: Yes. Any injuries I got was when I was working with
show horses.
FOTH: Do you have a favorite horse you have rode so far?
CK: I kinda have 2. I have one horses I rode him 10 times
and I broke my maiden. That horse is kinda my favorite and he is up at Finger
Lakes now and there is one I won on a couple weeks ago for Mike Canalano, he
won by 15 1/2 lengths and we are looking for another race for her. I really
like her.
FOTH: I know Delaware Park has the Arabian races. Have you ridden in any and
if you have do you mind riding them cause they are a bit slower and do you have
to approach riding them differently than say a thoroughbred?
CK: Yes I have and yeah they are a bit more slower and more sensitive and emotional.
I actually got my 5th win on an Arabian. I enjoy riding them, but not as much
at thoroughbreds.
FOTH: Do you prefer the dirt or the turf or it doesn't matter to you?
CK: I like the turf a lot, even though I have only rode
on it 3 or 4 times so far.
FOTH: Do you feel with being a female jockey that you have to work that much
harder to get respect from some of the trainers?
CK: Well when I first started riding I thought it would
be an issue, but I don't think that is a big of an issue as it used to be. I
mean there is 3 girl riders here at Delaware Park and Anna Napvarnik and Rosemary
are in the top 5 and Anna is hurt right now. I just think there is more male
riders than female riders.
FOTH: When you retire as far as being a jockey goes, do you see yourself always
doing something with horse racing whether it is becoming a trainer or say an
ex-rider?
CK: I just would want to ride. I don't think I would like
the responsibility of training a horse. After I finish my apprenticeship I am
going to finish college the same time as I am riding. Unless I have a serious
injury then I will have to face reality. I want to go to college to have something
to fall back on. I might be a 140 pounds in 20 years. I would like to ride for
as long as I can.
FOTH: What are some things you like to do when you are away from the racetrack?
CK: I do like to shop. I have 2 dogs that I have to take
care of. I take them to a park a couple times a week. I also jog them a couple
times a week.
FOTH: I have a couple more questions and then I will let you go shop ha ha.
Have you ever been recognized outside the track?
CK: Nope not yet.
FOTH: Have you ever been a really long shot in that paid over a $100.00 yet?
CK: No. The longest shot I have brought in I think paid
like $31.80 or $31.60 and that was on an Arabian.
FOTH: Carie that is all the questions I have for you and have fun shopping
and any last words.
CK: I can't think of anything else. If you have any other
questions just call me back.