Ellis Park in Kentucky Launches Behind-the-Scenes Tours with Iron Rose Academy
Behind the Scenes at Ellis Park
Over the weekend, my 4-H group got to be the test group for the brand-new behind-the-scenes tours at Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky, and it was an incredible experience.
One of my jobs as the 4-H Horse and Pony superintendent is finding educational opportunities for our 4-Hers. Since Ellis Park is close to us and it was racing season, I decided to reach out and see if they could give our group a quick tour. I wanted our kids to see what kinds of jobs are available in the horse racing industry and learn what goes on behind the scenes in the barn area.
I expected maybe an hour-long tour. Instead, Ellis Park teamed up with Iron Rose Academy and rolled out the red carpet for us!
Learning About Horse Racing at Ellis Park
Our tour was hosted by Marissa Short-Lopez, trainer and owner-operator of Iron Rose Academy in Kentucky. Marissa has been around the track for most of her adult life, and she saw a need for people interested in getting into the racing industry who weren't sure where to start.
She designed a program at her farm in Sebree where adults can get hands-on training and learn what it takes to work in the racing industry.
"We start with the fundamentals, teaching groundwork techniques, proper equipment application, and a basic understanding of lameness. As students advance, they can choose paths in pony riding, exercise riding, or foreman/assistant roles, each track ensuring they are well-prepared for a successful career while gaining confidence and control both off the racetrack so that it can be applied once on the racetrack."
A Look Inside the Ellis Park Barn Area
When we arrived at Ellis Park, our first stop was the barn area. Marissa explained the horses she had at the track and told us about one she had coming in from Churchill Downs for race day.
She was incredibly thorough when explaining horse care, the different jobs at the track, and how trainers prepare their horses for races.
We also got to meet the state veterinarian and watch her perform a checkup and lameness exam on a horse. For kids who spend a lot of time around horses, getting to see that process up close was a fantastic learning opportunity.
What Happens on the Racetrack
Our tour then moved to the track area, where Marissa explained how the dirt impacts the ride and showed us some of the different schooling and workouts trainers and jockeys were doing with the horses.
It was neat for the kids to see that there is so much more happening on the track than just the races we see from the grandstands.
Inside the Horse Ambulance
The horse ambulance was probably one of the most interesting stops for me.
Ellis Park has two horse ambulances on site. They are specially designed to safely load an injured horse, and they have a unique boot inside that helps a horse take weight off an affected leg.
The ambulance driver showed the students how everything works, and it was one of those things you don't really think about until you see it for yourself.
How Racehorses Learn to Use the Starting Gate
After the ambulance, we moved on to the starting gate.
The gate crew showed my students how the gate operates and explained how they train horses to go into it. They also talked about what they do when a horse becomes anxious or has trouble with the process.
Racehorses are young, and many are still gaining experience, so they need constant schooling in all aspects of life at the track. It was interesting for the kids to see just how much preparation goes into getting a horse ready to race.
Learning How Horse Racing Works
We also stopped in the racing office, where Chet was happy to explain how a racing program works and how bets are placed.
I'll be honest, some of that went right over my head, but it was still really interesting to learn about the business side of racing.
Next, we toured the area where the race-ready horses were being prepared, along with the jockey area.
Marissa explained how jockeys are matched with the horses they ride, how the horses are tacked up, and how everyone identifies the correct horses to make sure everything is legal and fair.
Watching Race Day Unfold
We took a little break and then went back to the tack-up area, where we got to see everything unfold in real time.
After that, Marissa took us to watch our first race.
It doesn't take long for those horses to fly around the track and make it back to the finish line. My kids were absolutely thrilled when they got to have their pictures taken in the winner's circle with the winning horse and its owners.
That was definitely one of the highlights of the day.
A Special Day at Ellis Park
At the end of the day, Ellis Park treated us to Sky Theater tickets, where we enjoyed a casual lunch. Some of the parents even put their newfound racing education to work and tried to pick a few winners.
For our 4-Hers, though, the real win was getting to spend the day learning about horses, horse care, and all of the different careers that exist in the racing industry.
I went into this thinking we were going to get a quick tour of the barn. Instead, Ellis Park and Iron Rose Academy gave our kids a firsthand look at nearly every part of race day.
For a group of kids who love horses, it was pretty hard to beat. Though racing season is officially over at Ellis Park, you can still catch a tour with Marissa. She will be hosting group tours through October. She can accommodate very small groups as well as large 4-H groups like ours.
I highly recommend!
To book your tour, email Marissa at academyironrose@gmail.com or message them on Facebook.
Hats Off to the Wildest KY Derby Day Looks
Gallery Credit: Ashley S.
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