Faith Schorr is a young jockey currently riding up at Penn National and I recently had the pleasure to do an interview with her by phone and here is what was said:

FOTH: OK Faith the first question I have for you is where were you born and where did you grow up?

FS: I was born in Ohio Valley general hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, but I as a child practically spent all my younger years working with the animals on my mothers land in Ohio.

　

FOTH: Did you come from a big family or a small family?

FS: I was raised between two family's. I have many memories of totally different lives. But I love both family's I have been blessed to have and continue to prey for everyday. my family is huge and I eventually will make it even bigger. :)

　

FOTH: What sort of girl were you growing up? Were you a tomboy like most of the other female riders I have spoken to over the years?

FS: I wouldn't say I was the tom-boy of who I was surrounded by, But that question sure does remind me of some funny hillbilly moments in the family. I enjoyed being outside always , I really did not like being in the house! I found my laughter, peace, and freedom outside with MY friends " the animals" .. !! Although I am a gal who races horses, and grew as a gal in the woods, I still do not consider myself a tom-boy! ..........I consider myself a woman who loves work and enjoys some time to spend for dressing up and being glamered.

　

FOTH: Around at what age did you discover a love for the horses?

FS: I have never discovered the love for horses, the horses discovered the love I had for them before I could even understand. I am still trying to find the reason why my whole life is caught up just choosing this one career. I grew from the love horses raised me with, , and I consider myself a horse in soul.!!

FOTH: When you were a young girl, you said you never got to go out much, did you realize then that there was live horse racing and jockeys and stuff like that?

FS: Of course I did, Live horse racing was pretty much all I knew.

FOTH: Take me through what you did to become a jockey. Did you get a job at a racetrack?

FS: I worked on the backside before permitted age, So I had a lot of people interaction compared to on the farm at home. Since I was enjoying bringing a smile to those who weren't smiling, I carried on this reputation of a happy smiley young lady. I always was with my mother helping here with her commitments. My mother committed herself to an overload of work everyday all because she has to bring in money for all of us. As I watched and learned I grew fast as a racetracker rather than the farm girl I was. The idea of racing horses for my job seemed to be to great to not succeed at. So from the very few baby steps of barn work then poning, I then began some major speedwalking from barn to barn as a gallop girl. Fortunately I just loved what I was doing and had a lot of fun just with my work so many people seen me as I grew. my working skills started to pay off when many people were telling me I was a natural, Saying I would be a next top jock! I left for another state galloping for a great outfit , and created sparks on another racetrack of natural horsemanship.

FOTH: Tell me a little bit about your first race. Where was it, where did you finish, etc?

FS: It's there at Laurel, Maryland that I had my first few races and excitement of my new life. My first race It seemed I was to prepared for! After a race of calmness inside me and nervousness surrounding me, I returned home that night with a mind at ease. I did not win my first nor did I win my second, but I knew after my first I want to raceride ... for years!!! :)

FOTH: Tell me about your first win. Did you win by a little or a lot and how was it jogging the horse back to the winner's circle and getting your picture taken?

FS: It was a similar feeling of my first race, I was happy but more into my horse and appraising her for doing good. . Her name was : JACKIE B GOOD . I did not use my knowledge of knowing there was a camera above us watching the two of us gallop back. I just calmly and quietly loved on my horse while people told me the' congratulations from every direction. I did try to walk quickly back to the room but walked right into the jockeys "welcoming" for winning my first race. She ran A mile 70 that day with me aboard and she just circled the field.

FOTH: Did the jockeys get you good after the race and did you know it was coming?

FS: O-Yes they DID!!! :) they drenched me by multiple buckets of cold water and wood chips, And I surely cant forget the eggs on my head!

FOTH: I know you have ridden at several different tracks up and down the East Coast so far in your career. Did you notice a big difference in the actual tracks itself, not the horses,but that tracks?

FS: Absolutely. Every track has it's own base. some Horses can show more potential possibly on a different track than where they have been running. I think that comes down to just knowing your horse. You have to try to get to know the racetrack as much as you do the horses.

FOTH: Do you personally prepare for a race differently when you are going to ride in a turf race?

FS: Not really I just ride my race ! :)

FOTH: Do you think the weights should be raised for jockeys or are they right where they need to be?

FS: I don't think I have made a opinion on such a subject, that I do not want to speak of anything I am unsure of.

FOTH: How long would you like to ride for?

FS: I'm not to sure of how long I will be riding all I can say is that I do enjoy what I do, and I love it! I have many plans and what I want to do in my life and winning everywhere is one of those plans. I assume I will ride until I feel I have accomplished just that. Possibly I will ride longer than that!

FOTH: Have you ever been seriously hurt and if so what was your worst injury?

FS: I am not a jockey that likes to think about that. I don't go out and think about what can happen to me, whatever happens, happens, and as long as I do my best to
stay out of trouble, and I am sure to feel confident in myself and the decisions I will make, for my horse too..., I feel I will make it across the wire safely.

FOTH: If a young girl came up to you and said she wanted to become a jockey, what advice would you give her?

FS: I would tell her to remember every-year as it passes the feeling from the heart for this sport that you have! Whether it is for the horses or the game, try to be the best at what you plan to do, and mostly prove to yourself how good you can be, like no one else!!

FOTH: Do you feel as a jockey you have been treated pretty fair so far?

FS: I feel I have worked my whole life, and I have tried doing the best I could at whatever it was! But I feel from a few mistakes I have made It has cost me the availability to travel to a more popular racetrack. I am denied at Presque Isle Downs due to a matter that is not even racing commission related. I feel I am being treated and looked at as if I will never and haven't learned from my mistakes. I am 20 years old and have been set back a few years to big success due to my mistake, but I feel that this is a cruel way of treating me for something I have politely been trying to resolve. I have been in very difficult times due to my refection at the money making racetracks and my career is also taken a huge hurting because I have no exposure for better opportunities because of where I am riding. Now if we are talking about other jockeys being fair, well NO, lol... they should let me win if they are going to be fair! lol, LADY'S first right? :), Now many other places I have been, when we are speaking about racing officials I cannot bring out one person who I disliked at all. Everyone on a business level to me seems very professional at what they do and would not dare steer anyone wrong.

FOTH: Take me through what you go through in a typical day, if it is a race riding day?

FS:Well I wake up around 5:20 am, and sometimes take that extra 10 mins for another power boost of sleep... then when I wake up I quickly get ready for the morning training in a hustle I am getting ready and excited to just get to work. Its a new day and I hope things go well and am always very excited to see. I do look briefly at the horses I am riding that day and just continue out to my journey's of the day. After morning training we have about 3 hours before races begin, I usually Go back to my room and make sure I am prepared for the races. Lets say I ride the card, well I would just enjoy every horse and believing anything can happen mostly thinking of just good! I kinda always believe in each horse, unless it's a horse that I have been riding and hasn't advanced at all from 15 some starts.. Then that's when I say, GOSH.. give the horse a break. !- of course I say so in respectful manner!

FOTH: What are some things you like to do when not doing racing related things?

FS: I like to shop and try to find special uncommon things from thrift stores. I must mention I love to go visit country shops I have never been to before. Some of the real fruit foods and real bread, Just some real good stuff. Maybe some neat decorations, or yard items, I find it calming if your alone or even exciting if you have another friend into the same thing.

　

FOTH: Is there any other sports you like to watch or have you ever seen the Pittsburgh Steelers or Penguins play any games?

FS: I am not much into watching big time games : "well I actually haven't been to one" but.. I have been going to my family's school games and I really like seeing all the talent out there.

FOTH: Have you have been recognized outside the racetrack yet?

FS: Many , Many, Many of times have I had the racing part of my life intertwined with my daily life. But i must say I love the fans and to watch them keep believing ... they keep their hope, and their smiles.

FOTH: Faith I am out of questions, anything you want to say to wrap this up I appreciate you doing this interview for my site.

FS: Thanks for having me on your site Chris.