Horse racing community mourns loss of exercise rider at Keeneland

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – The horse racing planet is mourning just after training rider Callie Witt died Friday morning in a freak accident at Keeneland.

The 20-calendar year-old was thrown from a horse on the driving keep track of just just after 8:00 a.m.

The horse racing community is limited-knit, and they all have the exact enthusiasm for horses and racing.

“You just had an thought about what variety of particular person she was. There was that passion that’s difficult to explain,” horse racing commentator Kenny Rice reported.

Rice will inform you folks who do the job in the horse racing sector have a perseverance like no other. Tales about Callie establish she was no exception.

“No just one that I know has ever hung all over the racetrack that does not truly have a adore for it,” Rice reported.

Callie, who was from Nebraska, was learning at Bluegrass Neighborhood and Technological School. Keeneland officials say she wished to be a jockey, initial functioning as an intern and then total-time as an exercise rider.

“It’s usually not a job that you get abundant in. You listen to about the top rated jockeys and prime trainers, but the every day employee at the keep track of, the training rider, they are not retiring early performing what they do, so it actually is a adore issue for them,” Rice said.

It is a like for a sport that comes with threats. Tragedies like what transpired to Callie are unusual, and a reminder of how important life is.

“The only activity I know of wherever an ambulance follows the members is a horse race. No make any difference what dimension horse race, all about the state. That just displays you there is that danger out there. When anything like this comes about, it magnifies that. It is been quite unusual for one thing like this to occur at Keeneland,” Rice said.

Now close friends, relatives and the racing sector are using time to don’t forget a hard-functioning young rider and her enthusiasm for the ponies.

WKYT requested Rice if this tragedy ought to guide to any safety modifications or enhancements. He mentioned it seems that this was a rare incident that may spark some speak, but doesn’t imagine it to be an indictment on the danger of the sport. He reported people today in the sector understand that danger.

We also talked to a longtime buddy and fellow rider of Callie’s.

“She was performing toward quite the aspiration that she was starting up to live,” close friend Jessica Condon reported.

Pals of Callie claimed she was using horses very significantly her complete lifestyle, showing it was not just a passion, but her way of daily life.

“She always was upbeat and experienced a smile on her experience. She was one particular of the most hardworking men and women that I know,” Condon stated.

We have obtained many statements about Witt’s loss of life.

Governor Andy Beshear posted this assertion on Twitter:

Britainy and I extend our deepest condolences to the household, close friends and the complete horse racing local community about the tragic loss of workout rider Callie Witt. Our views and prayers are with the whole Witt loved ones.

Consultant Andy Barr also released a assertion:

“This is a devastating tragedy that no loved ones should really ever have to endure. Make sure you be a part of me in praying for the family and close friends of Callie Witt.”

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