When I entered racing, there was a multi-year apprenticeship qualification before you could take the written and practical tests for achieving a trainer’s license.
For the first five years in the business, I worked for Ernie Danks Jr. Ernie learned his skills working for Hall of Famer Delvin Miller, and started his training career at The Meadows. Ernie was extremely strict and thoroughly schooled me on the fundamentals of horsemanship. I think back, and the one key learning I am the most thankful for is by working for Ernie I learned how to hold together, or recover from injuries, the older claimers that fill out our cards every night. Ernie showed how to do it the old fashioned way with paint, good rubbing, and the proper conditioning. I groomed in various states and racetracks along the east coast with the horses I cared for making starts at Pompano Park, Free State, Freehold, The Meadowlands, Brandywine, and Rosecroft Raceway.
After working for Ernie, I worked for Joe Pavia Jr. Joe is an incredibly passionate competitor. From Joe, I learned a bit more about speed, how he managed a larger stable, the importance of research, and I became a bit deeper on veterinary management.
At one point in between working for Ernie and Joe, I spent part of a spring/summer grooming thoroughbreds at Gulfstream and Calder. From the thoroughbred experience, I learned the importance of nutrition and the proper balance of feed additives to enhance your horse’s health. But the standardbreds were more appealing to me than the runners.
I am very thankful to both Joe and Ernie, and to this day, I highly value their friendship. When I reentered the sport intending to train my own I looked back on my personal history to find the highlights of what I learned from various people that helped me along the way – and these would be the principals that define my methodology:
Healthy Horses – feeding the best performance feed and additives. Personal attention to detail on each horse in my care.
Happy Horses – understand the individual needs of the horses in my care. I believe in ample turn out time, diverse workout experiences, and kindness. These incredible animals deserve to be treated with dignity.
Preparation – in all aspects of this business, you need to be prepared. Proper conditioning of horses. The ability to fully understand and research the input/feedback you receive from veterinarians, farriers, and drivers. Being competitive requires constant research on all the latest methods, equipment, nutrition, and health trends.
Healthy Horses – feeding the best performance feed and additives. Personal attention to detail on each horse in my care.
Happy Horses – understand the individual needs of the horses in my care. I believe in ample turn out time, diverse workout experiences and kindness. These incredible animals deserve to be treated with dignity.
Preparation – in all aspects of this business you need to be prepared. Proper conditioning oh horses, prepared to fully understand and research the input/feedback you receive from veterinarians, farriers and drivers. Being competitive requires constant research on all the latest methods, equipment, nutrition and health trends.
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