Nina Alumbaugh is a retired jockey that rode for 4 years out west in the early 80’s and I emailed her a few questions and here is what she said to them:  

NA: Was born in Torrence, CA. and Grew up in Southern Ca, Placentia was the town.

NA: Totally both. I was always an athlete, Always loved horses. But the rest of my family loved motorcycles, so I got pretty good at riding motorcycles, raced flat track and TT when I was young, but I continued to bug my parents about horses, and finally I was able to do some training with horses at a young age.

NA: The first horse race I saw was Secretariat win the Kentucky Derby. If you are looking for when I decided I was going to be a jockey, I was 7 years old when I knew.

NA: I started at Rex Ellsworth Jockey Academy when I was 17. His farm was in Pomona, CA. He raised a Kentucky Derby winner "Swaps" The Academy is no longer there. To answer the question my first job was to exercise horses.

NA: Love, Trust, Like I belonged.

NA: See question #3

NA: When I was around 12 I took some riding lessons. Took to it really fast.

NA: That was a tuff experience. I hooked up with a trainer who owned a quarter horse farm in Blythe Ca, [middle of the desert] he also had a few thoroughbreds [which was my preference to ride], anyway he sent me with his son who trained the horses and I was to ride them when I got my license. This was in Prescott Az. Well I was well trained to get my license, but they did not make it easy for me at all, I finally befriended one of the stewards and talked him into coming out and watching me break out of the gates, [ the man in charge of the gates was giving me a bad time, he was also the person who says I could get my license or not.) Anyway, the steward passed me that day. So I think the most exciting moment was the next draw when I was named on a horse for my first race. I was so excited.

NA: I was a licensed jockey for 4 years.

NA: My first race was in Flagstaff AZ. I traveled with a trainer to ride his horse, I knew the horse could win, so I was pretty excited. The horse won the race, and that was my first mount and first win. I was very happy. Two races later, I picked up a horse to ride and he took me thru a fence, we were all ok, but what a day.

NA: Ya I put my horse in front and won by 3. All I remember about the winners circle was that I could not stop smiling.

NA: Yes they did, and I was pretty embarrassed, they were all guys, and they ruined a pair of pants. I never was involved in doing it to anyone else, it never came up.

NA: Flagstaff Az, Prescott Az, Turf Paradise, AZ, Spokane Wa, [Playfair], Yakima, Wa, Couer De Lane, Id., Los Alamitos, CA [Orange Co. Fair], Fresno, CA [fair], Portland, Or.

NA: I have had two dislocated shoulders, broken wrist, bruised ribs, and a bruised collar bone. I think the bruised ribs were the worst, anything I did hurt for about 3 weeks.

NA: I retired because of the politics, health issues, and wanted to have kids, I missed it a lot. I still carry that time in my heart.

NA: Went back to college, have two children, bought property, work outside the home and have a Christmas tree farm. Owned a Bicycle Store for 4 years and then sold it for a huge profit. I stay healthy and fit.

NA: I think I was. I felt as though I was getting the job done.

NA: You need to have the passion, and will to win. It doesn’t seem like hard work if you love it. Ride because you love it and do a good job, believe in yourself.

NA: Of course, there is always another horse out there who has the will and ability to beat them all.

NA: No, 122, 124 is already too high, sometimes more. It is too hard on the horses.

NA: Yes, There is always a trainer that believes in you, you can't help but like someone like that.

NA: Don’t ever give up your dream!!!!!!!!!!!!

NA: Smile a lot.