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Since
her parents caught her memorizing the odds charts from her local
Philadelphia Park at age 6, Nikki Sherman has realized that
her love of thoroughbred racing would guide her life.
Today, courtesy of a scholarship grant from Kids To The Cup,
Sherman finds herself working the grandstand at Colonial Downs,
scouring box seats and lawn bleachers for young racing fans
who might like to take part in a "meet the jockeys" program
ongoing between races at the track.
Kids To The Cup is a non-profit, nationwide educational foundation
"that attracts, educates and develops young racing fans through
programs that provide direct access to the sport's major events
and players."
"We're given the opportunity to experience all angles of the
racing industry," said Sherman, 16, recipient of one of two
KTTC summer internships at Colonial. "This morning, we helped
a trainer hot-walk horses on the backstretch, and then we learned
how to roll bandages the right way.
"Then, this afternoon, we're bringing people, especially kids,
to the 'meet the jockeys' booth near the paddock. I know, 'cause
I'm part of it, that the only way to get young fans involved
in racing is to introduce them to the sport from the inside."
Racing roots
KTTC is the brainchild of California thoroughbred owner and
breeder Trudy McCaffrey. She founded the non-profit two years
ago, after a young thoroughbred fan contacted her to wish her
luck with her horse Free House in the Breeders' Cup.
"It was the president of an online horse club, a junior horse
racing fan, basically," explained KTTC executive director John
DeSantis. "It really spoke to Trudy. She realized that there
is this whole untapped reserve of young fans, interested in
horse racing but without the 'inside track' to get involved.
I mean, these aren't the sons and daughters of trainers or owners,
these are grass-roots fans, looking for a way into the sport.
Trudy recognized that instantly."
"These
youngsters are the future of racing," said McCaffrey. "They
are impressive in their knowledge and love for the game."
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With
the help of other industry insiders trainer Bob Baffert, jockey
Chris McCarron, owner Mike Pegram and industry associations such
as the Breeders' Cup, National Thoroughbred Racing Association
and more, McCaffrey formed KTTC in 1999.
"I can't describe the satisfaction I feel when I see bright faces
and wide smiles all around as kids meet face to face with their
heroes human and equine," she said. "I am so proud of what KTTC
and the industry, through their donations, have done in such a
short time. We've made dreams come true, and that's saying something."
The KTTC Web site features industry news, expert columns, fan
club reports and contests in which club members can qualify for
scholarships and for subsidized trips, like Sherman's to Colonial,
in which management and horsemen allow interns to have hands-on
training.
"I know it's not a glamorous part of the job, but I mucked my
very first stall yesterday morning," said Sherman of her time
with Colonial-based trainer Jeremy Gilliam. "I know I love horses
and horse racing, but I want to learn every part of the industry
so I can make an educated career choice in the future."
Sherman and fellow intern Amy Schuver, also 16, were guided during
their Virginia stay by Diana McClure, a representative of the
Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.
"Most of these kids ride a little, but few of them have a direct
tie to the business," McClure said. "The KTTC program is a way
to get them involved in the horse industry.
"We get so much support from trainers and owners and farms and
vets and the like, it is no trouble at all to give them a well-rounded
introduction to many facets in a short time."
Sherman and Schuver spent a week at Colonial and McClure's Middleburg
stable, learning everything from public relations and press release
writing, at the track, to liniment application and tack cleaning,
at the barn.
"It was a great opportunity," Sherman said. "I know that this
is a tough business, hard work and long hours, but now I have
a real feel for what's involved. I love horses, and now I know
how I can be part of it." |
