Horses are Kylah Dickson’s happy place
by Chris Lomon
Sometimes it is a whisper. Other times, it is a shout. But every word from caretaker Kylah Dickson carries the same message of encouragement, admiration, and love for the horses in her care.
Dickson is not one to internalize her emotions when it comes to harness racing’s equine athletes.
“I am a wreck, especially in the big races,” she said. “I am very jittery, very excited and then I start pacing. When I first bring my horse to the track and then they do post parade and warm-ups, I am usually pacing back and forth. I get very worked up during the race. I am yelling their name and clapping. Even if there is a small percentage chance that they can hear me, I want them to know I am cheering them on. It just brings me so much joy.”
Some of those moments have been captured through the lens of award-winning Woodbine Mohawk Park track photographer Clive Cohen. One image, taken after 3-year-old trotter Blue Jean Gal won her SBOA final, recently gained attention on social media.
“If you see someone crying or smiling in the photo, that’s probably me,” she said with a laugh.
Tears of joy have been the norm since Dickson joined the standardbred ranks two years ago.
When she went looking for work, she fell back on her love of horses as the foundation for her search.
“Horses have always been a big part of my life,” she said. “My mom has always been an instructor, so we had horses growing up. I was on a horse before I could walk. As I got older, I finished high school and had a few jobs here and there. I was looking for something more full-time because I was also going to university and I found myself needing a job.
“I was looking for jobs in my area, and I just so happened to find an opening at a racing stable — for Julie and Bert Walker — and I thought I’d apply. I love horses. I had already been working with horses at the time, but not in the standardbred industry. So, I thought if I got the job that it would go well because of my love for horses. And when I did, I just fell in love with the racing industry as well. I didn’t realize that I would love it to that degree, but that is exactly what happened.”
It didn’t take long for Dickson to know she was on the right track in her new role.
“I think the moment I truly fell in love with all things harness racing was after my first paddock,” she said. “It really clicked. My first paddock was with a horse we called Phoebe – her race name was Angel Fly Away. Just seeing her race for the first time was unbelievable. I worked with her every day and then I got to see her whizzing around the track. Seeing a horse who I worked with race for the first time was such a thrill.”
A bay daughter of All Bets Off out of the Art Major mare J M Chicago delivered Dickson with a treasured career first.
“My first win was with Yoda Queen,” Dickson said. “I remember that being a late night and not because of the race. I was on cloud nine.”
In typical fashion, Dickson paced almost as much distance as the pacer herself.
“The jitters, the energy that goes through you – it puts you on a whole other level,” she said. “I think I pulled an all-nighter after that win because I was just so happy.”
It was also a reminder, a most welcome one, that working in harness racing was tailor-made for Dickson.
“I thrive off of responsibility and taking accountability for my actions, so being able to put that into something and seeing the end result of what I am doing is just so rewarding,” she said.
Which is why Dickson feels as though she has hit the career jackpot regardless of when, where or what type of race — overnight, SBOA final or OSS Gold — the horses under her care are on track for.
When she does watch them compete, a certain thought always comes to mind.
“I like watching how they show up,” she said. “Every horse I have raced always puts in their best effort. It is so admirable. They have good weeks and bad weeks, but they are always putting in 100 per cent. You have to give them credit and respect for being able to do that. And the ones that love their job, it is just incredible to watch, to see how much effort they put in and how much they want it.”
And then there is the aforementioned Blue Jean Gal.
The daughter of Trixton out of the Yankee Glide mare Pine Knolls has been a force this spring, winning three straight races, including an OSS Gold opening leg on May 24.
For Dickson, it’s not the victories, the 10 wins in 12 starts or the $227,362 in purse earnings that make the striking bay filly special.
“She was the first baby who came into the barn when I started working with Julie,” Dickson said. “I started in the spring. The first group came in that fall and she was one of the few babies I was given to work with. I started to bond with her from day one. I have a photo of her in her harness for the first time. To be part of the crucial first steps and to develop such a strong connection with her over the months, it has been such a wonderful journey.”
A journey that has had its challenging days.
“It took her some time to find consistency and the winner’s circle,” Dickson said. “We put a lot of work into her last year. She wanted to run a bit at first and my heart would always sink a little in those moments. But, no matter what, I would always tell her that I was proud of her. She’s a phenomenal horse.
“Even if you took away her success, she is such a one-of-a-kind horse and so intelligent. The way she looks at you and learns her routine so quickly is so amazing. She is very particular, very funny and is everything to me. She is sort of the yin to my yang, in terms of personality. I truly love her and what she has accomplished is nothing short of incredible.”
The horse, whose stat sheet reads, “Large star. Left hind coronet and heel, with dark spots; right hind heel white’ is undoubtedly Dickson’s heart horse, literally and figuratively.
“She and I have such a strong bond, where she will literally put her head on my heart and I think she finds comfort in that,” she said. “I talk to her quietly, so not everyone hears us. I always tell her that she is a good girl and that I am so proud of her no matter what she achieves. I just want to see her come out of her race safe and sound.”
Dickson’s favorite moments with Blue Jean Gal are found far away from the lights, cameras and action of race night.
“I can go sit in her stall; she isn’t that way with everyone,” Dickson said. “She is very high alert, but she feels safe with me, and I completely trust her with my entire heart.”
While there are changes ahead in the coming months — Dickson is pursuing a Psychology degree at Wilfrid Laurier University and considering attending teacher’s college — the caretaker’s love of all things standardbred racing will remain the same.
“I would like to stay in harness racing and work with Julie after I am done with that,” she said. “I feel like I will always have a place in this industry because I love it. Anything I need to do with my studies, Julie understands and will give me the flexibility to work around that schedule. I am always so happy to be around the horses.
“I have the utmost respect for Julie and Bert and the operation that they run. Their dedication, patience and kindness to their horses is why I’m able to love being a groom. Julie, in particular, has taught me how to be a good groom and that has allowed me to develop this deep passion that I have for the horse racing industry.”
And whether it’s through hushed tones or loud enough to echo throughout the grandstand, Dickson will make sure each horse under her care knows exactly that.
“The best part is the end of the day when all the horses are in their stalls having naps, or out in the field grazing, but knowing they are loved and being taken care of,” she said. “I tell them that their happiness brings me a lot of happiness.”
