Horse racing community mourns loss of exercise rider at Keeneland

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – The horse racing world is mourning right after workout rider Callie Witt died Friday early morning in a freak incident at Keeneland.

The 20-12 months-aged was thrown from a horse on the riding observe just following 8:00 a.m.

The horse racing community is limited-knit, and they all have the very same passion for horses and racing.

“You just had an strategy about what variety of human being she was. There was that enthusiasm that is really hard to explain,” horse racing commentator Kenny Rice explained.

Rice will tell you people who operate in the horse racing sector have a determination like no other. Stories about Callie show she was no exception.

“No one that I know has ever hung all-around the racetrack that does not really have a love for it,” Rice explained.

Callie, who was from Nebraska, was finding out at Bluegrass Group and Technological College or university. Keeneland officers say she desired to be a jockey, very first working as an intern and then entire-time as an workout rider.

“It’s generally not a occupation that you get prosperous in. You hear about the leading jockeys and major trainers, but the each day employee at the track, the training rider, they are not retiring early doing what they do, so it genuinely is a like factor for them,” Rice said.

It is a appreciate for a activity that will come with risks. Tragedies like what took place to Callie are uncommon, and a reminder of how cherished existence is.

“The only sport I know of where by an ambulance follows the individuals is a horse race. No make any difference what sizing horse race, all over the region. That just displays you there is that possibility out there. When one thing like this transpires, it magnifies that. It is been extremely exceptional for something like this to happen at Keeneland,” Rice claimed.

Now mates, spouse and children and the racing marketplace are getting time to recall a hard-functioning youthful rider and her enthusiasm for the ponies.

WKYT asked Rice if this tragedy really should guide to any protection modifications or improvements. He reported it appears that this was a rare incident that may well spark some chat, but does not consider it to be an indictment on the risk of the activity. He stated people today in the industry have an understanding of that possibility.

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

“She was functioning toward rather the dream that she was setting up to live,” mate Jessica Condon claimed.

Close friends of Callie claimed she was using horses fairly significantly her full existence, showing it was not just a passion, but her way of lifestyle.

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

We’ve gained numerous statements about Witt’s dying.

Governor Andy Beshear posted this statement on Twitter:

Britainy and I prolong our deepest condolences to the spouse and children, close friends and the entire horse racing neighborhood around the tragic decline of work out rider Callie Witt. Our thoughts and prayers are with the overall Witt relatives.

Agent Andy Barr also produced a assertion:

“This is a devastating tragedy that no family need to ever have to endure. Make sure you join me in praying for the family members and buddies of Callie Witt.”

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