Pony person gets to ride out her dream
Exercise rider at Fort Erie racing in cancer fundraiser
Becoming a jockey has always been a dream for Kate Pendergast, an exercise rider and pony person at Fort Erie Race Track.
She will be getting the opportunity to ride out her dream next month when she races in the annual C Cup Classic, formerly the Powder Puff Derby, at Calgary’s Century Downs Racetrack and Casino.
Pendergast, who grew up riding horses on her family’s farm, started working as a groom in 2003 at Fort Erie Race Track, and became an exercise rider the next year. She always wanted to be a jockey but says she is too tall to make it work as a career.
“I am tall at 5’7” with an athletic build, so that keeps my weight higher than that of a slender-framed, shorter individual,” said Pendergast, who turns 34 next month.
Her love for horses and passion for the sport has kept her involved in the racing industry.
“Fort Erie is my home away from home, and the horses are second to none in terms of feeding the soul,” said the rider, who is also an AutoCAD technician at Oakhill Environmental in St. Catharines. “I’ve worked at other places but I keep coming back to Fort Erie.
Pendergast has gone through three months of vigorous training to prepare herself for the race. In addition to undergoing training that is similar to what is required to get an apprentice jockey licence, she had to get recommendation letters from racing officials, undergo special training on the track and starting gate, and also pass a physical and eye test.
She will even have to make a weight of 135 pounds in order to participate in the race.
Pendergast received support from the barn that she works for. Trainer Rob Johnston has been giving her extra horses to gallop, and colleague Danielle DiBert, who has many years of experience as a jockey, has been coaching her.
“Riding in an actual race is a different style of riding than what I am used to, and Danielle has pushed me out of my comfort zone and has been coaching me through it,” Pendergast said. “I know I wouldn’t be able to do this if I was doing it on my own.”
Put on by the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society as part of its On Track to Beat Cancer initiative, with the assistance of the Canadian Amateur Jockey Association, the race involves amateur jockeys raising funds for cancer research through pledges.
The cause is one of great importance to Pendergast, who was five when her mother Sue was diagnosed with squamous cell carncinoma at age 35. Her uncle John in a prostate cancer survivor.
“My mom is a cancer survivor, and the only reason she is still here is because she was an advocate for herself and went to three different doctors when she knew that something was wrong with her health,” Pendergast said. “Part of the reason why I’m doing this is because I want to raise awareness about cancer and encourage people to get tested.”
On Sunday, Pendergast will be at Fort Erie Race Track manning an information booth where she will be answering questions and accepting donations. Post time for Sunday’s racing program is 1:20 p.m.
Pendergast arrives in Calgary the following day with no idea which horses she will be riding in a race that for the first time will be an official pari-mutuel wagering event.
“Horses are honest animals, so it shouldn’t take more than a few miles to introduce ourselves to one another,” she said.
Currently there are seven amateur jockeys entered in the race Saturday, Oct. 6. This year, all funds raised will be donated to the Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre.