by Victoria Howard

Born and raised in the small town of Elma, NY, which is located between Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs, Riedel and her older sister Donna (also a horse trainer) accompanied their parents whenever they could to the barn where they operated a small stable. It was love at first sight for the sisters and both would eventually make their career training standardbreds. Donna became an outrider and trainer and is also a superstar for she caught many loose horses in her life, saving equines and drivers.

Jody was taught how to outride by her big sister and, when she got older, Jody also became an outrider at Syracuse Racetrack, Buffalo Raceway, Vernon Downs, Colonial Downs and Pompano Park.

Eventually Jody decided to try giving training a try, so she and her father bought several racehorses. One named Keystone Burma gave Jody her first pari-mutuel driving win.

“Even when I was outriding, I always had a few racehorses,” Jody said. “You know what they say, ‘Once you have been bitten by that horse bug, you’re hooked.’ And it is true for I was certainly hooked.”

Jody added, with a laugh, “I got my trainer’s and my ‘A’ license, but can’t remember exactly when for it was so long ago. Today, I am stabled at the Goshen Historic Track and am lucky enough to bring my horses, when they need a rest, to my backyard, my ultimate dream come true. Presently, my boyfriend of 19 years and I live in New York on a 10-acre farm with our Yellow Labrador, Sonny.”

Jody currently trains five horses.

“Kingpin Hanover, Manclane, Blantons Blue, Inn At Rodanthe, and Poblano, who have been turned out and will be started back soon training for the 2025 season,” she said. “I race at Tioga, Meadowlands, Pocono, Saratoga, Chester and Yonkers, but travel wherever my horses are most competitive.

“I was blessed to take care of the horse Charlie May several different times when Steve Carter and Don Tiger sent him to me, but I can’t take any of the credit. ‘Charlie’ is just a great horse and is very special to me.”

Recently Jody had a major setback when she was diagnosed with neck and head cancer, but she is better now. She had surgery and had to undergo radiation for six weeks.

“I was diagnosed with cancer and feel so lucky to have had such a great medical team,” Jody said. “My family and friends were a huge part of my recovery as they all did their part in keeping me positive and strong. They were my ‘therapy,’ and also helped in keeping my stable going.

“And I’m especially grateful for my horses. It was as if they knew I needed them more than ever. They mean everything to me and were my reason to get on that radiation table for six weeks and helped me get through the worst time in my life. I thank God for every one of them and for the people that helped with my horses, so I didn’t lose everything I worked for and loved. I’m so lucky to have such a great barn family who prayed for me for prayers really do work! I still cry every time I think about it.”

Jody said a lot of her horse friends didn’t even know she was battling cancer because she didn’t talk about it.

“But they found out when I posted “I RANG THE BELL” when the radiation was over,” she said. “I just had to stay positive and fight — something the horse business taught me.

“I believe one thing that got me through this scary ordeal was my love for the horses and the sport. I love my horses but sadly the industry has changed since I started years ago. Unfortunately, it has become more about the money and not about the horses or one another. To me it seems like in the past, most people cared more about the horses and their fellow horsemen who were more like family than rivals.

“Today, for many, all they care about is making lots of money and then greed takes over. The horse is just a money earner and not a member of the family like it used to be. In the past, the owners loved going to the barn and racetrack. Today, many watch their horse race on the television and stopped coming to the barn to visit the horse and bring them treats.

“Sadly, with money comes greed and some people will do anything they can to win a race. And sadly, we sit here and watch one racetrack after another close its doors. We don’t know where and when it’s going to end and how a ‘little’ guy can survive. The horse should be their main priority.”

Jody talked about the closing of Pompano Park which caused many horsemen to have to relocate with their families.

“Pompano was the crème de le crème in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s and my sister and I both were there to be part of it,” Jody said. “My sister Donna was the outrider there, and stabled and raced her horses until it closed.

“The biggest names in the sport called Pompano their winter known, such as Billy Haughton, Stanley Dancer, Bill Popfinger, George Sholty and many more. Today, if you drive past where the Winter Capital of Harness Racing was, it is now all leveled. It is so sad for the closure of the track put many, many horsemen out of business. I believe the closing of all the tracks has changed the playing field completely.

But our sport still has some great people who will fight nail and tooth to keep it thriving.

“There are so many die-hard horsemen who will fight until the end, and I am one of them. There are so many great people and I’m so glad to see this column support and honor the women in the sport. We have had some very talented women such as Bea Farber and Sandi Fisher who gave the men a run for their money.”

Jody said harness racing is a hard business for anyone, but especially for women.

“It’s hard physically, financially and emotionally as it’s never been a ‘ladies’ sport,” she said. “There are a lot of sacrifices, but I don’t have to worry about getting my nails done.

“I am so blessed to be here telling my story and being able to train my horses. I’d like to thank everyone for their prayers and support, especially my owner Victor and my helpers Danny, Regi and Tom. My wish is for people to be kind not only to each other but also to their horses.”