Kayla Baxter chose the barn over the boardroom

by Chris Lomon

Stubborn, standoffish or silly standardbreds? Kayla Baxter is always eager to take on the challenge.

There is not the slightest note of conceit in the groom’s voice, nor is there any want of acknowledgement for the yeoman work she takes on with the problematic-type pacers and trotters who are in her care.

Instead, there is a quiet satisfaction that comes from bringing out the best in big personality-type horses and then seeing them thrive on the racetrack.

“When I first get a horse, and they’re very standoffish, I tend to bond with those ones that are flighty, and standoffish, because I take my time with them,” Baxter said.

Whether the horses happen to be high-strung or low-key, each one is provided with a platinum standard of care and attention.

“The horses are absolutely everything to me,” she said. “Every day, I get to come in and I get to take care of these magnificent animals. I get to make sure that they’re safe, sound, and happy, and love on them, and just give them the best life I can while they’re with me. Just to be able to bring them along and watch them grow and watch them get better each week; it’s really the best feeling I’ve ever had, to be honest with you.”

A third-generation horseperson — her grandfather John Baxter and father Ron Baxter were both longtime racing participants — Kayla’s time in horse racing has been anything but a straight, uninterrupted path.

“I was born and raised in the industry,” she said. “I came out of high school and went straight to the racetrack, and I spent three years there. I worked for Gerry Hudon, Travis Humphrey, and Kelly Ducharme.”

For a time, she made the move to a world of boardrooms instead of barns, working traditional business hours from Monday to Friday.

“And then, that [horse racing] life got away from me, and I decided to go into the corporate world, and I spent a little too much time there,” Kayla said.

Three years ago, Kayla found herself at a crossroads. The 9-to-5 grind had taken its toll, and she needed to make a change.

She would eventually return to a familiar world and familiar faces.

“In 2023, I actually got very burnt out in the corporate world, and I just said, ‘I’m not doing this anymore,’” she said. “I left, and I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with my time after that. I had quite a nice little savings, so I just took my time, and then, all of a sudden, a friend, [horseman] Brandon Campbell, mentioned that he needed help at the farm, and it kind of just went from there.

“I wasn’t doing anything; I love the horses and I wanted to have some fun. So, I decided to come back to racing and told myself it wasn’t going to be a permanent thing.”

Until it was.

“Once I was back, I was like, ‘I’m not leaving,’” she said.

And she hasn’t.

It has been a gratifying return.

At the end of February, Kayla, who is working for trainer Nathan Sobey, was named Caretaker of the Year at the annual Alberta Standardbred Horse Association (ASHA) Awards banquet.

She thought of her contemporaries after receiving the award.

“I’m so happy to be nominated, but there are plenty of people around who are very deserving of the honor,” she said. “It’s so nice that they do that – to even have that award. I’m one of those people that believe the grooms are kind of the backbone of the industry anyway, so they deserve an award, for sure.”

Congratulatory sentiments, whether through emails, texts, phone calls or in person, were the norm in the days after the evening that recognized excellence for both humans and horses.

“We had a day off after the banquet, so now that I’m back to work, there are a whole lot of congratulations coming in,” Kayla said. “It’s quite nice to have people come by and give a little high-five, here and there.”

All of it is a pleasant reminder that she is indeed back in her happy place.

“I connect with all my horses in some way,” she said. “I love them all. I’ve got a couple of babies coming up, and I’m really close with them – they’re brand-new babies like right from the sale this September. One of the greatest feelings that you can have is working with a horse, to bring out the best in them, and then seeing them succeed on the racetrack. It is something I am very grateful to have in my life.

“The best part of my job is watching the progress of the horses for me. Nothing in my corporate world compares to that. Nothing will ever compare to just watching the horses come off the track and doing better than they did the week before and knowing that you played a part in helping them do that.”

Kayla’s biggest challenge is in finding a work-life balance – but it is not something she bristles at or dwells upon.

Early morning, late nights, or multiple trips back to the barn throughout the day are hardly an inconvenience.

“How can you be upset when you get to be around horses?” she said. “My friends and family are always, ‘Come on, Kayla.’ We need some time with you, too.’

“It’s a whole lifestyle, you know? Sometimes I will make excuses to go back to the barn throughout the day. That happens quite a bit, actually. I might not need to go, but I want to.”

She knows what is waiting for her when she arrives.

“I just want to keep the horses sound and happy,” she said. “I want horses that come into my barn to look at me and nicker – that they know I am there for them.”

A serene spot where every horse — trouble-free, work-in-progress, ahead of the curve or somewhere in between — is treated in the same regard.

“I happily take flighty ones, but my goal with all of them is to make sure that I keep them happy, healthy and sound,” she said. “That is what motivates me every single day.”