Anna Kuglar

Anna Kuglar is a young jockey riding out in the Mid-west riding at some smaller tracks and what not and I emailed her some questions and here is what she said to them:

FOTH: Where were you born and where did you grow up?

AK: I was born in Aledo, Illinois, United States.

FOTH: What sort of girl were you growing up?

AK: I was always a tom boy growing up. Anything that was outdoors I was there doing it, from riding horses to milking cows and everything in between. I still love the outdoors and love riding horses.

FOTH: Did you always have a love for horses or did that come later on?

AK: I loved horses as a young girl; however, I didn't get into riding until later in my life.

FOTH: When you were growing up, what did you want to be?

AK: I never had anything I really wanted to be. I went to school after high school for paramedic and still work as one to make extra money to help with bills.

FOTH: What did you think of a racetrack the first time you saw one?

AK: I was amazed. I couldn't believe that people actually climbed onto these animals and rode them at full speed around a dirt track. I actually thought it was very exciting and wanted to try it but I had some serious work ahead of me before I could get to the point where I could ride. I had to find a trainer to ride for and start exercise riding and even then I had more work ahead of me. I was more than happy to do what was needed to make it to the point where I could ride in an actual race.

FOTH: What event or events led to you becoming a jockey?

AK: I started working at a horse track as a paramedic. I became friends with several jockeys and learned what I needed to do to make it into racing. Like I said before I had a lot of work before I could get to that point. Once again I was more than happy to put the work in.

FOTH: How long have you been riding now?

AK: I have been riding for a little over a year. It has been a very exciting year too.

FOTH: Do you feel you are a good rider?

AK: I feel that I'm a fair rider. I am still learning and I know that I have a lot left to learn and it will be awhile before I get to the point where I consider myself a "good" rider.

FOTH: What tracks have you rode at so far?

AK: I have mostly ridden at smaller tracks. Most of them aren't really real tracks. I say that because they are mostly fair ground tracks, where there is no betting or simulcasting. Doesn't sound very interesting but it is what I love to do and you have to start somewhere.

FOTH: Tell me about your 1st race and what was the experience like for you?

AK: My first race was exciting. I was scared to death; my heart must have been going 160 beats a minute. We were taken out onto the track and did post parade; we warmed up the horses on the track and headed behind the gate. As we were being loaded into the gate a horse a couple stalls down started acting up, he threw the jockey out the back of the gate that scared me more. When all of the horses were loaded into the gate and calm the gate opened and out we went. It was scary; however I remembered everything I learned and was able to stay on the horse and even managed to finish in 6th place. There were 12 horses in the race, so I thought that was pretty good.

FOTH: Tell me about your 1st win and what was it like getting your picture taken?

AK: My first win was a few months ago. I remember it like it was yesterday. As we came down the home stretch, my filly switched leads and then it was like she went into overdrive. She took off and it was all I could do to hold on and stay on her. We were in dead last as we made that last turn. We past two horses, then another one and then three more. Next thing I knew we were in first and my girl kept going. We finished 7 1/2 lengths ahead of all the rest of the horses. Being lead into the winner circle was amazing.

All the people who owned the horse met us there and they were so excited. The flashes of the cameras were awesome. I have that picture on my wall and can't wait to get a winner's circle picture from a true track.

FOTH: Would you like to come to the US to ride one day?

AK: Since I live in the US already that isn't much to think about. I would love to ride at a true professional track, and I hope to do that someday very soon.

FOTH: How long would you like to ride for?

AK: I would like to make riding a full-time career. I'm not sure how long it will take me to get to that point but I'm hoping to make it there soon.

FOTH: Can you make a decent living being a jockey where you ride at?

AK: Well that would be no. Since I'm still trying to make it to the big time and riding the country fairground circuit, I don't make a lot of money. I do make pretty decent money; however, it is enough to live on and even pay the bills and to have left overs to live on. I don't feel like I'm living paycheck to paycheck or anything but it isn't as much as some of the jockeys I am friends with make for a living.

FOTH: Do you feel you have a certain riding style and who taught you how to ride?

AK: I don't feel that I have a certain riding style. However, a couple good friends taught me how to ride. A friend of mine is a quarter horse jockey who rides a lot in Indiana at Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs; he just gave me some tips about what I needed to do and how to handle a horse. Another friend is a thoroughbred jockey who also rides mostly in Indiana; he showed me how to talk to trainers and how to work with them. I appreciate them for everything they have taught me.

FOTH: Has anything embarrassing happened to you during the running of a race?

AK: Nothing that I can think of. I don't think I have been riding long enough to have any embarrassing moments. I wish I had something better to tell you on this.

FOTH: How do you prepare for a race?

AK: I do a lot of praying. Mostly I pray for God to keep me safe and all the other people I am riding against. I've been on a couple horses that have broken down and luckily I have not been seriously injured. So I keep praying and so far that seems to work.

FOTH: Are there many other female jockeys where you ride?

AK: Not really. However, I do have several friends who are female jockeys. Both are bug riders in Indiana. They are a lot of help with me learning too.

FOTH: What do you like to do when you’re away from the racetrack?

AK: I love to sit in a quiet place and read a book. I also like to work as a paramedic still too. Those are both things that relax me and keep me busy when I'm not working.

FOTH: Any other sports that you like?

AK: I like most sports however; my favorites are probably baseball and football. I've been a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals for as long as I can remember and I'm also an Indianapolis Colts fan.

FOTH: What do you think of the Kentucky Derby?

AK: The Kentucky Derby is awesome. I keep thinking that maybe someday I'll make it to that point in my career where I can tell everyone to watch the Derby because I'm going to be on a horse. That would be the most exciting event in my life. I have been there a couple times and it is one of the most amazing events to watch.

FOTH: I am out of questions. Any last words. Thumbs up for the interview.

AK:I am so happy that I was included in your interview, I'm not sure I was exactly what you were looking for but I hope my answers help you and anyone who may read them. I was wondering what you were using the interview for. Anyway I hope this helped. Thank you for your interest and thank you for the interesting questions.

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