Lord, give me guidance. Teach me the way which I already know but do not follow.
Amen
Guide my mind before my steps, and hold my tongue tight, that I may be guarded by the shadow of the wings of your quiet mercy. Give me council through Jesus Christ, and temper my enemies, keeping me even more stronger than they! Raise the bar and lower the haughty gracefully, may it be swiftly, but in your time, which is outside of my judgement.
Have mercy on my soul, for the torment is not of my choosing; and happiness, through repentance, through your Son, Jesus, is my daily choice. Remind me to make that choice always, to keep me in your right hand, and deliver me from your left.
In Jesus Name,
Category: Horse Racing
Stable Footing: Helping Those Who Help Horses
Whenever someone yelled “LOOSE HORSE,” nobody stopped to ask whose horse it was. They only asked where? And then they ran towards the problem.
“What do you do with an aging backstretch employee who has lived in a tackroom most of their life and depends on the racetrack for an income and is or will become too frail to work? When that fragile horse person loses his or her job, he or she stand to lose their living quarters and benevolent benefits. The answer is far from easy, in fact, I remember (on several occasions) it being a nightmare! There is a new developing program called “STABLE FOOTING” heading to starting gate and I am very hopeful for a strong finish and we could all pitch in no matter how little or a lot. Let’s get this horse to the Finish Line!
Here is a message from former Maryland trainer Scott Regan and retired pony girl Cathy Rosenberger.
“Good afternoon and thank you for allowing me a few moments of your time.
Continue reading “Stable Footing: Helping Those Who Help Horses”Open Letter To Three Chimneys Farm
The decision to scratch Great White behind the gate at the Kentucky Derby was the wrong decision.
“I’m sure the horse is shook a little bit, but it didn’t appear like he thumped his head on anything …” -Jerry Bailey
Horses suffer falls harder than that while playing out in the field!
The Sport of Kings is the sport of champions- a competition showcasing the unity between horse and man.
Scratching Great White is a black eye inflicted upon an already beaten-down industry!
Horseracing has genuflected to the fascism of bureaucratic red tape in the guise of “safety”.
Greetings, Fellow Horsemen,
While witnessing the scratch of Great White behind the gate during post time of the running of the 2026 Kentucky Derby, I vehemently disagreed with the decision to scratch him!
I was greatly appalled, heartbroken and stricken with grief for our beloved sport!
I mourn over your loss! The whole team of Three Chimneys Farm has been deprived of being able to reap the rewards of its work: the stall muckers, the grounds keepers, assistants, foremen, secretaries, investors (and all of the little people who nobody’s ever heard of whom keep the Operation running smoothly,) the efforts of Thoroughbred Conditioner John Ennis and of Journeyman Jockey Alex Achard.
‘Tis a Great Loss to Three Chimneys Farm!
‘Tis a Greater Loss to Horseracing!
‘Tis an unaccountable Void in History’s Great Record Book!
The decision to scratch Great White pierced the thin veil of truth and integrity which protects the Sport of Horseracing!
Question:
What part of Great White’s body did the Vetrinarian claim there was not enough time to evaluate at that moment in time? His head? An ankle? Which part?
Continue reading “Open Letter To Three Chimneys Farm”Lack of Value
People who do not value your time
When a person does not value your time, they do not respect you.
Chip Van Hassel
Those who do not value your time see the lack of value within themselves and are compensating.
Public Service Announcement:
Treating a person’s time as less important than your own is Covert Narcissistic Abusive behavior.
Narcissists get their energy by finding a victim to abuse; then they destroy that victim’s life.
Be wary of the micromanager!!!
Horsemen’s Prayer Council Stable Gate
Horsemen Praying for Fellow Horsemen!
Writing Sample
Which training method did Jonathan Sheppard employ?
When somebody complained how Jonathan Sheppard would never explain his training program to them, this was my response:
Well, some of us understood his training program which was essentially reverse-engineered in congruency with the horse’s running date, its condition, the competition it would be up against, along with the expectations of its upcoming performance while always keeping the race AFTER that performance in mind.
Lazy Racetrakers
These people do not like me, because I do what the boss would want done when the boss is not around!
The Bullshit I Put Up With
I do what the boss would want done when the boss is not around. That is why coworkers do not like me. I am a guy who, “pulls the wooden shoe out of the cogs of the gear.”
The Lazy Racetracker
Nobody wants the boss or the boss’s son around all the time; and the Lazy Racetracker wants a promotion for doing nothing.
Example;
Continue reading “Lazy Racetrakers”Shepp’s Training Program
Which training method did Jonathan Sheppard employ?
When somebody complained how Jonathan Sheppard would never explain his training program to them, this was my response:
Well, some of us understood his training program which was essentially reverse-engineered in congruency with the horse’s running date, its condition, the competition it would be up against, along with the expectations of its upcoming performance while always keeping the race AFTER that performance in mind.
Good Way To Describe It
“… was there any other stable gate at Belmont Park? Like a stanky snatch in the early 1970’s, that entrance was hairy with the trampling traffic of people of all smells, colors, diseases, sneezes, farts and coughs. Out, queeffed the same bunch, in exacting fashion, …”
Belmont Park Stable Gate Entrance
From a journal entry 19 years ago:
His house was so close to Belmont Park, at 3:00 in the morning, the noise of the tractors maintaining the training track would wake us up; and we’d look out the window to see them on the track! Being New York, that stone’s-throw distance was a short, 7 minute nightmare of a drive to the crotch of that racetrack- which was the main stable gate. … was there any other stable gate at Belmont Park? Like a stanky snatch in the early 1970’s, that entrance was hairy with the trampling traffic of people of all smells, colors, diseases, sneezes, farts and coughs. Out, queeffed the same bunch, in exacting fashion, regarding all natural senses. Indeed, the throw of a stone separated a patch of paradise from one of the stankiest snatches which the streets of New York had to offer! ‘Twas a good life, though! Young, vibrant,… all those things!
Use Your Hands; Not Your Mind.
“You don’t get paid for having the idea;
you get paid for producing the Result.”
-Chip Van Hassel
“Culture is missing the Grand Power of Motivation towards the unknown-
Chip Van Hassel
that physical action of advancing towards fear,
pushing ourselves to our limits,
so we may therefore push ourselves beyond those limits
to create more advantageous precipices from which, thereupon, we may elevate our efforts;
for we are rewarded
with the strength, courage and some wisdom
which allows us to experience
the Great Power of Motivation
which operates the Sun and the Moon.”
“You don’t get paid for having the idea;
Me
you get paid for producing the Result.”
Focus
Slow everything down.
Slow It Down
The World Today
How am I supposed to act?
You’re not allowed to Act normal, but don’t be weird; …. Okay?
You’re not allowed to
Act normal,
but don’t be weird;
…. Okay?
Jonathan Sheppard’s Expectations
When asked how he prepared for a race, Jonathan Sheppard responded,
“Expect the best, but be prepared for the worst.”
Jonathan Sheppard
A Day of Church.
“Look! He’s punching holes in the darkness!”
Sunday March 2, 2025
17:57 HRS
76°F Sunny and breezy
Bible Verse: PSALMS 119:10
“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.”
PSALMS 119:10
-Morning-
Sunday is church day.
I attended church service at the Ocala Farm Ministry this morning. It was a light congregation- smaller than it was a couple of years ago when I had attended. Chaplain Bob was so inviting! His smile was the light of the room!
Before the service began, I wrote about a recent experience. I wrote:
Continue reading “A Day of Church.”Trainer, Dennis Manning Does Not Pay!
Dennis Manning does not pay his help; and he is unprofessional and rude!
Below is a video of how Denis Manning, At Oak Ridge Training Center in Ocala, Florida treats retired jockeys and exercise riders.
Notice the syringe on his desk.
Woman-Speak
Woman asks her husband, “How many races are there today?”
…
He checks and says, “Ten.”
And she asks, “Total?”
Take that one; and run with it!
Spring-loaded Mantra
Blythe Miller’s Advice
Setting Your Horse Up for Every Next-Jump
Heels: DOWN and OUT in front of you!!!
Blythe Miller
Equine Inactive Side of Infinity
the. “Slow Walk”
The Equine Inactive Side of Infinity
Refers to a stagnant mental process.
Infinity expands perpetually from one point in all directions.
Example of a Horse Stuck in the Inactive Side of Infinity:
A horse who slow-walks off of the track with the intention of being near other horses who are acting-up, therefore, giving them an excuse to act-up as well.
The Horse’s Reason for Doing This:
It Is Three-Pronged
Continue reading “Equine Inactive Side of Infinity”Lazy People
Lazy People In The Workplace
When dealing with people, (they are like zebras never changing their stripes,) evil doers will never switch-over to the side of good.
Japhy
When forced to interact with selfish people, you are tested of your kindness, patience and self-preservation.
Develop your ability to adapt and change, so you do not fall in to their trap of acting the ways in which they do.
FGCC Tyrany
“…And that is why our press was protected by the First Amendment– the only business in America specifically protected by the Constitution…”
-JFK
A Letter sent to the Tyrants of the Florida Gaming Control Commission
After experiencing the abuse of power and Conduct Unbecoming by these three men:
Our office sent the following letter to the Florida Gaming Control Commission:
Law Office of Lonesome Glory Publications
February 4, 2024
RE: Case #O33B46A22Z-24
As a former Jockeys Guild member and journalist, I am dedicated to the integrity of our sport.
On or about February 2, 2024 at Tampa Bay Downs, (located at 11225 Race Track Rd N Tampa, FL 33626 United States), a thoroughbred horse owner informed me that he politely asked two men who were wearing the FGCC insignia on their shirts who they were.
The above mentioned owner informed me that the two men laughed at him “smugly,” then, walked away.
These are the two men:
A Leveled-Up Experience
There are moments when an athlete experiences this:
Not “Doing” it:
and learning from it.
… the feeling of floating-
watching it all happen as
from the outside,
looking-in;
(Like watching a movie)
… not doing it,
but watching your body do it
Horse Racing in Decline
My decision to retire began on my way to the track on a horse for John Servis.
The Horse Racing Industry Is In Decline!
We were living the dream- I was getting paid top-dollar to ride for one of the top trainers- part of a formidable, respected team.
Look the Part To Be the Part
When You are pretending to be, “that”, you are, indeed, that character which you play!
While the scene is being filmed, the only reality which exists is what the camera sees.
“Look the part.
Timothy Wyatt
Act the part.
Be the part.
Nibble, Nibble
“Women use sex as a magical power- a power which men do not possess. This phenomena has ravaged our culture…. …
…“active-passive-aggression,” which could be described as building(/being) the bridge upon which, “resting bitch face,” hath transmuted into, “active-bitch-face,”
Sex is only a Game for most women but seems to be the meaning of life for most men!
…
How many women in your circle know how to bake a loaf of bread from scratch or how to potty-train an infant?”
Two Reasons Why Women Wearing Sexy Pants Is Corrupting Our Culture.
For many women, today, sex is the only thing they have to offer!
Did women ever wear mini skirts in the 1930’s,… why not?
We are living in an overly-sexualized culture where women walk around wearing spandex- which is the equivalent to a woman wearing a short skirt in the 1930’s!
Let Us Quote:
1 TIMOTHY 2:9-10
“…I also want women to dress mosdestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”
Women use sex as a magical power- a power which men do not possess. This phenomena has ravaged our culture to the point of devolving us into camel riders, again!
How many women in your daily life know how to bake a loaf of bread from scratch or how to potty-train a toddler?
How many men do you know who can change the oil in a car?
Horse Archetypes
Most counterproductive behaviors which racehorses exhibit are the result of being taught these behaviors by freelance exercise riders.
Mantra
Realm to Consider:
Concentrate on quick-twitch muscle movements (for power, also to “slow it down”)
Dakkuan
…
That has become the life experience: watching everything- feeling speed, but slowing it down to slow motion.
Family of Faith
A Man Needs Three.
“A man need a three types of men in his life:
Doug Kindred
1. A Grandfather Figure to learn from,
2. An equal to share “Life Experiences,” with
3. and a Little Brother to teach and to guide.”
“… speaking of it in terms of a man’s Christian walk.
He needs mature Christian men to mentor him
He needs Christian brothers roughly the same age to walk with him through life.
He needs younger men to mentor.”
Push Past that Stride
The Teaser of Fate
Push those last ten strides,
Chip Van Hassel
but always have your finish line
beyond that.
Give more love and understanding,
yet tease these moments of fate!
Reserved Mantra
“Keeping it Reserved”
“Stillness in Motion”
Jose Sameñego
Wrists broken-over,
Dakkuan
“Praying Mantis hands”-
“Keeping everything re-chambered”
Colonial Downs 2024 Racing Dates
July 11 – September 7, 2024
Colonial Downs will run
Thursday thru Saturday July 11 – September 7
Complete Mantra
Slow Vibration Down.
Words of Get To Work
“Ha ha ha- Get to fucking work!”
George Beaulieu
-Deleware Park-
Now, Get To Work.
Legend of Clermont College
“…have no relation to Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master- degrees, which were constructed for the general class of Masons. …”
Legend of Clermont College
You Can’t Stay Here
“…When they treat me in a way that they would not want to be treated, themselves, then, I point out their behavior; they tend to treat me like I am incorrect, aggressive and socially inapt.”
… So I needed a place to get out of the cold for the night.
Pepe, a nice Guatemalan man, the assistant trainer for Kelly R., gave me permission to sleep in the office at the barn for one night; but he told me to be careful of the cameras, because nobody is allowed to sleep there. I slept there for two nights. Early, in the morning, after the second night,
Path of the Righteous Horseman
It is accurate to say that all the Old School horsemen are all gone. Just as capitalism no longer guarantees freedom (for the middle class), working hard in aspiration of earning an adequately-compensatory wage deems to be in incongruence with sanity, according to the current, socioeconomic reality. The delegation of a man of higher caliber insists that his such sojourn be ambulated, or accompanied by, similarly-spirited, likely-educated and strongly-willed, gentile warriors of both the sword and the book.
The Trick
The trick is to make sure that the horse’s feet hit the ground as softly as possible every stride.
Chip Van Hassel
Stay True
“He stayed true to it. That’s what I like about him.”
Anthony Aguire
4th Amendment
“The right of the people
U.S. Constitution
to be secure
in their
persons,
houses,
papers,
and effects,
against unreasonable searches and seizures,
shall not be violated,
and no Warrants shall issue,
but upon probable cause,
supported by Oath or affirmation,
and particularly describing the place to be searched,
and the persons
or things
to be seized.”
Chip’s Top Horses
Truth
“I know,
Arch Kingsley
When you surround yourself with positive people,
you can rise above any situation.”
“Jewel In the Crown”
1984 Breeders’ Cup Classic
This is Not a Job
This is not a job;
Chip Van Hassel
it is every horse.
Open Sky-Ride
Last time I rode in the rain was everyday.
Dakkuan
Appreciate The View
Perfection occurs
Dakkuan
only
throughout humble circumstance.
Don’t Sleep Where They Shit.
Every time you take a job where the employer supplies the place where you live, they manipulate you and take advantage of your time.
Chip Van Hassel
South Carolina Statute Regarding Equine Liability
§ 47-9-730:
“Under South Carolina law, an equine activity sponsor or equine professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in an equine activity resulting from an inherent risk of equine activity, pursuant to Article 7, Chapter 9 of Title 47, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976”
Trainers Already Have Immunity and do NOT Need to Purchase Insurance for their Riders. SEE:
South Carolina Statute Title 47; Article 7, Chapter 9 “Equine Immunity”
Code of Laws of South Carolina 1976 Annotated. Title 47. Animals, Livestock and Poultry. Chapter 9. Livestock Generally. Article 7. Equine Liability Immunity.
Summary:
This South Carolina section provides that an equine activity sponsor or an equine professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant resulting from an inherent risk of equine activity. The statute also requires the visible displaying of warning signs that alert participants
Old-School Horsemen
“The man I’m looking for
Peter Pugh
doesn’t exist.”
Cigar in the 1995 Breeders’ Cup
“…followed by Tinner’s Way and Concern is still last; three furlongs to go. CIGAR!!! Cigar Makes His Move; and he Sweeps to the lead with a dramatic rush!”
Allen Paulson named most of his racehorses after aircraft check points and aviation terms.
“Cigar,” is a mnemonic that refers to a pre-takeoff checklist performed by Untied States Air Force pilots. It stands for:
• Controls
• Instruments
• Gas
• Airplane secure
• Run-up.
Expand.
The color of your Aura comes from your physical t=tension.
Exuding The Aura is the Work of the Warrior.
Dakkuan
Get To Work!
“… So, Shag Ass!”
Woodberry Payne
Sunday Silence
Breathe Through Tension
If you have tension in your stomach, breathe through it.
Let go of mental attachment.
Breathe Nothing.
Taxation Without Representation
“87,000 new IRS agents.
By the way, those agents will be trained to use armed force.
That can’t be good!!””
We sent a letter to one of our collogues requesting advice.
The response from our collogue was a bitter taste of the truth; supportive, inspiring, and reminding us
Rome was nether built, nor torn down in one day!
Continue reading “Taxation Without Representation”Trick Or Treason!
“…The change that has occurred within the racing industry is not something that is lasting.”
-Retired Journeyman, Christopher Van Hassel
I had always planned to train racehorses after I retired from my riding career, but I had not predicted that the racing business would change the ways in which it has. The change that has occurred within the racing industry is not something that is lasting. Why do I say that?
Continue reading “Trick Or Treason!”Legendary horse racing announcers share Kentucky Derby memories
Tom Durkin, Dave Johnson, Larry Collmus and Mike Battaglia share their favorite memories of calling the Kentucky Derby over the years.
Rich Strike
Staying Inside The Box
… because they purposely create a toxic work environment…
‘Tis a strange experience, being an expert in my field, surrounded by people who are beginners, however, these beginners act and feel as though they are superior to me! The, “Dunning Krueger affect,” comes to mind.
Continue reading “Staying Inside The Box”
Intellect: The Muscle That Needs Exercise Through Humor
“Should we investigate this stupidity? … May we point it out with the purpose of teaching the younger generation about these people? We MUST!”
“It is a waste of journalism
Dakkuan
to describe the everyday instances
where their petty, selfish stupidity
interferes with the success of business.
There is a higher level of thinking to exercise.
There is a better way to live;
there are smarter ways to
conduct ourselves.”
Typical Trainer
Purchases Equipment one day;
Bitches that you are using it the next day!
Dakkuan
Keep Challenging Yourself
…Mental Plateaus…
The worst plateau to reach
as an athlete
is a mental plateau.
It is difficult to
Dig out of a hole
when you do not know
you are in one.
Dakkuan
Options
“Hey, would you rather grab a rake and,… … Use it?”
Sadie Jenkins
Priceless
“I’m being Detained.”
John Danner
Population Control
“The reason I don’t have children is because everybody has them.”
Rusty Shaw
Racetrack Commissioners Interfere With Your Personal Life:
holidays are no longer “working days” and won’t be considered “counted” days.
(Copied and edited by Van Hassel Conditioners)
By July 1, 2022 all licensed racetrack personnel are being required to register with HISA.
Daily mantra
Lower leg squeeze;
Lower Legs ‘down-and-out’ (Blythe Miller)
Pressing Down (as in horse stance) Plus Inward Dynamic Tension”
Dakkuan
Too Many Instructions
“Let Go of any reigns which are not currently in your hands!”
Expecting the Impossible
“A Trainer
Chip Van Hassel
can give
enough instructions
to paralyze the rider.”
The best way to find synchronicity is to Trust,
To Allow
and to
Let Go
of any reigns which are not currently in your hands.
Many trainers expect perfection every second, every step.
Chip Van Hassel
Elephants poop in the room whilst perfection is only witnessed briefly in moments displayed as result of training and effort towards the delayed gratification of raising to the next degree.
Too much is too much.
Perfection occurs
Chip Van Hassel
only
throughout humble circumstance.
Sometimes
“You’ve got to lose to win”
Chip Van Hassel
Faith, Hope and,… Stupidity
Steps To Applying for a Racetrack Employee Occupational License
November 12, 2024
FL925184Z
DEPARTMENT: FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION (DBPR)
PROFESSION: Racetrack Employee Occupational License
Steps:
Continue reading “Steps To Applying for a Racetrack Employee Occupational License”Are You Having Licensing Issues with Florida Racetracks?
If the Florida Gaming Control Commission ever denies your license for, “failure to complete an application,” … Read this!
Experience of Licensing Issues with Florida Racetracks:
1 When obtaining your license to work at Tampa Bay Downs, pay the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) $37.25 to be fingerprinted, then, pay the FGCC $80.00 to process that application with those fingerprints.
Lonesome Glory Dies After Accident
“The horses he beat were pretty special — not many horses last like he did at that level. He was a great horse who did a lot for our whole family.”
February 26, 2002
American steeplechase legend Lonesome Glory died Feb. 25 from injuries suffered in a paddock accident at trainer Bruce Miller’s farm.
Owned by Kay Jeffords, Lonesome Glory is the only American steeplechase horse to win five Eclipse Awards (1992, 1993, 1995, 1997 and 1999), and also the only American jumper to earn more than $1 million.
Continue reading “Lonesome Glory Dies After Accident”Protector On High
“For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.”
“From the ends of the earth I call to you,
PSALMS 61:2
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”