"Racing Around the World" is a television show that I created in 2012. As a "horse-crazy" little girl I began dreaming about the abstract form of it, in child-like iterations. Then I grew up... and the world of Thoroughbred Horseracing took my breath away!
Santa Anita Park, near Los Angeles, CA is where my career in racing took off. The night I first laid eyes on the hulking grandstand I was 19 years-old, driving into the parking lot of the Motel 6 across the street on Colorado Boulevard.
My father and I had driven over a thousand miles to get there, from Spokane, WA. My dad, my hero, had given me the courage to chase my dream of galloping racehorses at one of the best tracks in the world!
The morning after we arrived, with my boots freshly shined by Dad, we walked across the huge parking lot to Clockers' Corner. I was eager to work, but lost in the unfamiliar faces. Then a particular stranger appeared, introduced himself, and insisted we follow him into the stable area. He had noticed that I was looking for work and felt certain that there was someone I should meet.
Cautiously, with dancing racehorses passing us on either side, we followed him to the back of the stable area and into a well-manicured barn. Once inside, the stranger nodded to a bald-headed trainer in a big green coat. The horseman had a gentle look about him, with a kind smile and pockets brimming with peppermints and dog cookies. It was the legendary Charlie Whittingham!
With a twinkle in his eye Charlie turned to me, said hello, and asked where I was from. I explained my modest experience grooming and galloping horses in Spokane and Seattle, WA. Immediately he smiled and said, "Well young lady, if you can handle those horses up in Washington State then you can surely handle these. You're hired!"
Gleefully I went to work and marveled at the accents, the backgrounds, and the humor of riders from all over the world. The people fascinated me and the horses, with regal pedigrees, had quality I had never experienced before. The power of these horses galloping underneath me each morning was intoxicating.
Six years later, after exercising thousands of horses, my career evolved from racehorses to hosting horse-racing television. I loved sharing my knowledge and experiences with viewers. And the sport I loved now allowed me to travel and learn more about the world! Not only did I get to see more of the United States, but I was blessed with trips to the Middle East and South America.
Along the way I have met a variety of fascinating people, many of whom have become close friends. One particular man especially intrigued me. His culture was entirely foreign to me and his accent was thick with the echoes of desert sands. He has since become one of my dearest friends, who I will cherish for the rest of my life.
One day, while helping him arrange his schedule to the airport, I asked to see his passport. He had been traveling for many years on behalf of royalty, appearing at nearly every racecourse imaginable.
As I perused the book, thick with Visas and colorful stamps and extra pages, I asked him about each destination. "Where did you stay," I wondered? "What did you see?" "Tell me about the museums and the people and the food!"
As he painted pictures of historic and enchanting places with his elegant words, my mind began to dream of how I could somehow share these experiences and destinations with people who loved the sport. A tv show was born!
The following is a link to that show entitled, "Racing Around the World". I have been passionate about it... to a fault. As I grow older, and perhaps my idealism fades just a little bit, I hang on to the hope deep in my heart that I will once again "race around the world" with this show. Perhaps that day will come. Perhaps not.
Chasing this dream has been energizing and inspiring, but it has also caused my family and me to suffer deeply. When the time is right I will tell you the tale of a place and a scandal that changed my perspective forever, and nearly cost me my life.
For now, however, I am simply honored to share this with you. Some of you have seen it on Facebook in the past. I have enjoyed sharing it. But if you haven't, take 15 minutes and relax. I hope you enjoy the show!
~ Carolyn
"Racing Around the World"
