When Jenni Judin takes part in the Exhibition Under Saddle Trot on Monday, August 6, at Mohawk Racetrack, the 24-year-old will feel right at home.
Judin, who will ride Youlneverwalkalone, will take part in the second Exhibition Under Saddle Trot event held this summer at Mohawk. The one-mile dash will take place as a non-wagering event following the fifth race.
Judin, who is a caretaker at the Blair Burgess Stable, cares for Youlneverwalkalone everyday.
“I’ve been working for Blair for about a year now, and I jog her (Youlneverwalkalone) on horseback pretty much every day,” Judin said. “At Blair’s farm, there are a few horses that we ride on horseback just to mix things up a little and get a change of scenery.”
Judin and Youlneverwalkalone participated in the in first Under Saddle Exhibition Trot on Canada Day earlier this month, but the four-year-old daughter of Kadabra made a break in stride.
“I know I can win it this time,” she laughed. “I’m pretty good friends with some of the other riders, so it would be nice to beat them. It should be another fun race.”
Judin is no stranger to horses; she was born and raised in the business in her native Finland.
“My family has always had horses and it’s quite common to ride trotters on horseback back home,” she said. “It’s nothing new to me, that’s for sure.”
Judin, who has been working for Burgess since she came to Canada one year ago, will be heading home in the near future to return to school where she will study to become a Paramedic.
“I have completed two years back home,” Judin said. “I decided to take a year off and come to Canada because that’s always something that I wanted to do. I have one year left of school, so I will be going back soon to complete it.”
At the age of 19, Judin also volunteered to join the army in Finland for one full year.
“In Finland, it’s mandatory for boys to do one year’s service, but not females,” Judin said. “I decided to volunteer and support my country.”
Despite her hectic lifestyle, Judin always manages to make time for horses and harness racing.
“It’s so much fun,” she said. “I get to wake up every morning and do something I love. How do you beat that?”
The field for the Exhibition Under Saddle Trot will line up as follows:
(Horse - Rider)
Baba Ghanouj – Andrea Lindsay
New Dice Please – Marie Brooking
Come and Play – Marit Valstad
Hour Lavec – Samantha Hirst
First Flower – Anita Valstad
Ive Got It All – Marielle Enberg
As Yall Like It – Emily Hughes
Youlneverwalkalone – Jenni Judin
(WEG)