Behind the Scenes With Exercise Rider Arianna Spadoni

March 5th, 2016 by Dan Tordjman

Arianna Spadoni galloping Heart Rush at Palm Beach Downs. (Photos courtesy of Arianna Spadoni unless otherwise noted)

At just 27 years old, Arianna Spadoni has already lived several lives in horse racing. The irony in her story is that she never planned on a career in racing.

As quickly as her career as a jockey started, it came to an abrupt and unexpected end following a major injury she sustained during a race. When doctors told her it wouldn’t be in her best interest to race-ride any longer, she set out to find a new outlet for her passion for horses. It ended up with her working for one of the most respected trainers in the sport, Todd Pletcher.

Spadoni talked about her unique job and the path that brought her to it with America’s Best Racing’s Dan Tordjman.

So, you currently work for the most successful trainers in recent history. What is it like to work for Todd Pletcher?

Working for Todd has been an eye opener as to what racehorse training should be. His outfit runs like a well-oiled machine. Everything is extraordinarily organized and there is attention paid to even the smallest of details. I believe that is what makes Todd so successful. Todd himself checks every single horse from nose to tail. He will examine everything from the look in their eye to the last strand of hair on that horse’s rear end, and everything in between.

Even with the very large number of horses he trains he certainly has a gift when it comes to reading each horse to keep them the happiest, healthiest, best-performing athletes they can be. After all, that is the goal in training a racehorse, to make that athlete perform at its absolute best. Being such a large outfit requires the best, most skilled and caring help.

Much of the credit goes to his multiple assistants, his many riders, foremen, grooms, hot walkers, vets, equine physical therapists, secretaries and van drivers. The horses all receive the best quality care around. There is very much a team spirit in the barn. That was actually the first thing I noticed when I started working for Todd in Saratoga. Everyone does his or her part and is always willing to jump in if someone else needs a hand. That is what makes Team TAP such a wonderful place to work.

SPADONI WITH RACHEL'S VALENTINA

What are some of your responsibilities and what is your average day like?

My responsibilities as a rider are to get to the barn early so I can put together my bridles for the day and set tack for my first two sets. Once the day begins it is my job to jog, gallop, gate school or breeze my mounts. This requires an exercise rider to adapt to each horse. They are all different, they all have their little quirks and personalities. I have to figure out how to get each horse to train in a way that helps them gain fitness and also make it an enjoyable experience.

As an exercise rider it is also your job to communicate with your trainer and assistants if you notice something out of the ordinary. Being a former jockey, breezing horses is my favorite part of the job. Todd has a particular way he likes each horse to breeze as far as times go and I have to ride each horse to execute those times. This helps Todd assess where each horse is in their training and helps him make decisions as far as which race will give them the best shot at winning. After all, that's what the goal is: to win. When the morning training is over I clean my tack and check over all of my equipment to make sure it is all in good working order so I can put it away neatly and do it all again the next day.

A lot happened before you arrived where you're at today. How did you get into horse racing to begin with?

I got it to racing entirely by coincidence. I've ridden horse since the age of eight and have always had a love for these beautiful powerful animals. I was boarding my horse at a little farm in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania and a very nice girl moved her pregnant mare to the same farm. I came back from a trail ride, met this girl who was named Erin and told her she should come riding with me. I told her I had just gotten back from the state park where I would go see how many picnic tables I could jump in a row and gallop around. She told me her horse was pregnant and said that my riding sounded like a lot of fun. She then suggested with a smile that I come try out at her job because they were looking for riders.

A YOUNG SPADONI AND TUMBLEWEED HOTSHOT AT A 4-H SHOW

I was 18 at the time, going to community college with no real direction, and I knew absolutely nothing about racehorses except that there was the Kentucky Derby every year. I didn't even know you could be an exercise rider. I'd never even been to a racetrack. So I got the information and immediately contacted Sylmar Farm in Christiana, Pa. to set up a time for an interview. This happened a few days later. I was so excited that I was going to ride racehorses I couldn't sleep the night before. When I went to try out, I found out that I would be riding young horses that were just being started. I had never ridden a 2-year-old, let alone anything green broke. When I got on my first horse the barn manager held my horse’s head while I stepped up on the mounting block and told me to hop on, but to not put my foot in the iron first (like I had done on every horse my entire life). I took a little leap, swung my leg over and landed softly on the filly's back. Then the barn manager told me they can tell a lot by how a rider mounts their horse, and I had passed that test.

I successfully rode out that morning. It was unlike any riding I had ever done. The young horses truly are the best teachers. My first time on the five-furlong training track, I galloped once around in company, looked over at the girl I was riding with and said "are we done?" I was absolutely out of breath and exhausted. It then occurred to me that I needed to significantly improve my fitness if I was going to do this job. After a few weeks, I started to gradually pick things up, constantly asking questions and getting directions and tips from the other more experienced riders and I quickly fell in love with racehorses. I committed myself fully to learning everything I could about riding these beautiful animals so I could perhaps one day be a success in this great sport.

You spent a period of time as a jockey. When did you decide you wanted to become a jockey?

I decided I wanted to be a jockey after galloping for a year and change. I lived in Unionville, Pa. and frequented the steeplechase races. I was awestruck every time I went to the races and said to myself, "I want to do that." After a few phone calls and a Wednesday evening watching race replays at the Whip with Bruce Miller, who introduced me to everyone, I had a job galloping steeplechase horses the next morning. After riding steeplechase horses, fox hunting, and even riding a few point-to-points it was obvious that I wasn't made to be a jump jock. I am way too small and naturally light. It was then suggested that I go to the track and pursue a career as a flat jockey. I did, and after a few more years of experience on the track I finally accomplished my goal.

What was it like to win your first race? What are your fondest memories from being a jockey?

My first race was actually my first win. I rode a big bay filly named Perfect Lover. I'd never sat on her before I rode her that day, but she couldn't have been a more perfect first mount. She broke sharp, I stalked the two speed horses three wide and cruised past them at the quarter pole. The trainer specifically told me that she didn't like being hit, so I was instructed to take my whip out, but not hit her and give her a good hand ride. Well, he was right.

IN THE WINNER'S CIRCLE WITH PERFECT LOVER

Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Doyle

Even after all the hours on the Equicizer, the countless horses I'd breezed and the hours of spent at the gym, nothing can prepare you for race riding but race riding. From the time the gates opened to the time I crossed the wire in front felt like it went in a blink. Once I took my stick out and started riding to the wire, I realized I was all alone in front and I was overjoyed! The ear-to-ear smile on my face as I'm crossing the wire tells it all. That was one of my favorite moments in my life. I had just ridden my first race, my first winner, and I was living my dream.

A jockey’s life is crazy busy. Everyone who doesn't know thinks a jock just shows up, rides a race for two minutes, wins thousands of dollars and goes home. Starting your day hustling at 6 a.m., breezing as many as you can to build business for the afternoon, then going to ride your set mounts, possibly going to another track for night racing and then driving back home to get some sleep before you have to be back at it at 6 a.m., is what it's actually like. Not to mention keeping a close eye on your weight and maintaining a fitness routine on your off days.

The funny thing is that's what I loved about it, the constant hustle and the fact that nothing is guaranteed and the harder you work the more success you will have. Every jockey’s dream is to ride big horses. Not big as in size big, but big as in talent. You want to ride in the Triple Crown races, the Breeders’ Cup, and all the best races. It's all a game of luck as far as that goes, but that hope is what keeps a riders spirits up and motivated.

Tell us how you made the transition from being a jockey to where you're at today.

The transition from jockey to exercise rider wasn't that difficult for me. Once I came to the realization that with my injury (Arianna was injured during a race in 2013) it was not in my best interest health-wise to go back to race riding, I decided I wanted to be the best exercise rider I could be. That also meant working for the best.

Deep down, I will always have a jockey’s heart, that's something I didn't lose. As far as riding goes, now I'm not focused on race riding so I've gotten back to basics with my riding and working on improving my horses daily. I try to make them straight, supple, and cued up to light hands. When you're a jockey you rarely get on the same horse for their daily exercise, so it's not your job to teach them to go properly. You just pray that their morning rider has taught them well and pilot them around for their breeze.

What are some of your goals in racing, moving forward?

Right now, my future goals in racing are to continue to improve as a rider, and make it to the big races. I want to win big races like the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont, Kentucky Oaks, Breeders’ Cup, Travers, Haskell, even the Dubai World Cup. I know that's a big dream, but it's possible riding for Todd Pletcher. For the rest of my time as a rider on the racetrack I want to strive to be the best I can be. It just wasn't in my future cards to be a jockey, but I feel absolutely blessed to ride the caliber of racehorse I am riding today.

WITH HER KENTUCKY DERBY HOPE RALLY CRY

You're young and have one of the coolest jobs in racing. What would you say to younger people who would love to start a career in racing?

For all of the younger people who want to start a career in racing I would say do this because you love the horses, because you're excited by the sport. These are magnificent creatures we work with everyday. I wouldn't want be doing anything else.

First, get out there and talk to people. Go to your local racetrack, talk to security first and tell them what you want to do, then go around and talk to trainers. You'd be surprised at how willing people are to give you a chance. Everyone has to start somewhere. Ask people who have been doing this their whole lives what they suggest for you. There are so many aspects of the sport to be involved with. The career options are limitless. Talking to people is how you make new connections and get new opportunities.

If you have no experience and want to ride, I would suggest going to a training farm in Ocala, Fla., or Aiken, S.C., to learn before you go ride at any racetrack. This is a dangerous and physical job, so you want to be confident in your abilities as a rider before you get on the track and put yourself and others at risk. The stronger and fitter you are, the better you can perform your job. Also, everywhere you go and everyone you work for, pay attention to everything. Ask a million questions and be willing to come back in the afternoon and help. You learn the most by doing. So, involve yourself in all aspects.

Rapid-fire Round

How and when I was introduced to Thoroughbred racing: My first job at Sylmar Farm in Pennsylvania.

My favorite racetrack: Saratoga.

My favorite Thoroughbred racing event: The first Saturday in May, Kentucky Derby!

Other sports/teams I follow: I'm a little one dimensional, I love watching racing, show jumping and anything else to do with horses. I do love watching Winter X Games though.

WITH AMERICAN PHAROAH BEFORE THE BREEDERS' CUP CLASSIC

What I would like to see more of in Thoroughbred racing: I would like to see all owners doing right by their horses, especially when it comes to an aftercare program. Our horses’ well being needs to be a priority when they are finished with their careers in racing.

What I would like to see less of in Thoroughbred racing: Poorly bred Thoroughbreds. We need to be responsible, realistic breeders.

Favorite all-time Thoroughbred: Affirmed, Zenyatta

Best racetrack food can be found at: Monmouth Park

My favorite jockey: Johnny Velazquez

My favorite trainer: Todd Pletcher

My heros: Dalai Lama and Julie Krone

Person in Thoroughbred racing I’d like to have dinner with: Julie Krone and Ramon Dominguez

Philosophy on life: You'll get farther if you start today.

Favorite non-Thoroughbred racing sports event I have attended: Grand Prix at The Devon Horse Show.

Favorite memento: My exercise saddle I purchased in 2007 at Delaware Park. I will never get rid of it. I can't count how many different horses I've ridden in it and the stories it could tell.

BREEZING A HORSE IN HER SADDLE