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20 Things I’ve Learned… By Paul Atkinson
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t was only a year ago Paul Atkinson was contemplating retirement. With two ailing knees as a result of decades of riding race horses, he seriously considered hanging up his tack permanently. A year off from racing proved beneficial to both his mind and
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Growing up is hard to do when deep down all you want to do is ride race horses, drink and chase women, but reality sets in and you find it’s to hard to ride race horses when your out drinking and chasing women....
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My parents taught me the value of hard work. As a kid growing up I worked harder than most adults do now. Knowing the value of a good day’s work is fast becoming a lost art!
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The best advice I ever received was: It’s better to be by yourself than in bad company!
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– Charles Pravata
One day you’re a hero the next day you’re horse shit! R ain is gold and cherished by farmers and ranchers!
I’m most proud of the men and women in the armed forces protecting the freedom we have in this great country!
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The darkest day is why I keep batteries in my flashlight and a gun under my pillow.
If you get up after a fall it’s still a good day.
Photo: charles pravata/eclipse sportswire
body, and he returned to racing with renewed vigor and a fresh outlook. Today, he is the regular rider of the graded stakes winner and Kentucky Derby contender Caracortado. Paul took the time to allow us inside his world, and provided us with these observations
If you don’t discipline you end up with kids who have no respect for anyone or themselves, kids that no one wants to be around. We have always taken our kids everywhere with us and I have no doubt they will behave!
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I’m the guy you don’t ask if you don’t want to know. My wife would never ask, “Does this dress make me look FAT?”
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The racing industry should cover all jockeys and backstretch workers for workers compensation in ALL states. Stiff fines should exist for anyone who abuses the system (policy holders and claimants).
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My wife is my friend, my lover and a pain in my ass!
K ids are to be treated with respect and are expected to respect the rules. All kids should address adults by looking them in the eyes and vice versa. Anyone who doesn’t look at you when they talk to you loses credibility in my opinion.
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I don’t believe anyone should ask their horse to go anywhere they wouldn’t go themselves. Think about it next time you’re out riding and looking up or down a steep hill, canyon or cliff. Then ask yourself, would I do it on foot?
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O ne year ago I was still out hurt, now I’m back to riding and really enjoying myself.
L oyalty is very rare in life, let alone on the race track. That’s why I feel loyalty should be rewarded and respected.
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You’ve got to be lucky for everyone to think you are good, which is why I would rather be lucky than good! Courage is doing what you say and saying what you do without self interest.
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STRIDE MAGAZINE
April 3, 2010
I f I had to pick two pastimes I really enjoy they would be working cattle horseback on my folks’ ranch and snowmobiling just about anywhere. A fter your dead you’ll get all the sleep you need.