This is part three of our series highlighting the group of young professionals who own Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf contender Best Performance.
Learn more about West Point Thoroughbreds’ Young Professionals Initiative by reading Part 1 (Jonathan Villa) and Part 2 (Chris Arroyo) of the series.
Next up is Kendra Potasiewicz, a sales engineer who resides in Saratoga.
This is part three of our series highlighting the group of young professionals who own Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf contender Best Performance.
Learn more about West Point Thoroughbreds’ Young Professionals Initiative by reading Part 1 (Jonathan Villa) and Part 2 (Chris Arroyo) of the series.
Next up is Kendra Potasiewicz, a sales engineer who resides in Saratoga.
1.) How did you become a racing fan?
My love of horses is what drew me to racing. I was “horse-crazy” from a young age and started riding when I was 11. When I was 12 my parents bought me my first horse, a 4-year-old Florida-bred OTTB – he was a great horse, and we had a lot of fun together. My family always had horses, and I showed Quarter Horses until I aged out of the youth division, then came college and my career, and horses were no longer a focal point in my life. Relocating to Saratoga Springs in 2014 reignited my love for horses, and subsequently the racing game. The strategies that go into every decision – from purchasing, to training, to picking appropriate races and getting the right fit in a rider – are all very intriguing.
2.) What made you decide you wanted to be a racehorse owner?
If you love horses and live in this town (Saratoga Springs), it’s almost a natural progression to want to become an owner. I knew at some point in my life that I wanted to have a racehorse, but didn’t think it was feasible right now. When I learned about the YPI, I knew it was the kind of opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. Also, thoroughbred aftercare is a cause I’m very interested in and intend to become more involved with. By becoming an owner and learning more about the industry as a whole, I hope to use that knowledge to assist aftercare organizations and advocate for our runners once they’re ready for their second career. I also felt that by joining WP I was aligning myself with an ethical group of people, who were industry leaders and staunch equine advocates.
3.) What do your friends/family think of your “investment”?
They were all for it!
4.) What advice would you give to other young people looking to get involved?
Don’t think that ownership is out of reach – if you are even the slightest bit interested in becoming an owner, reach out to WP. Ask questions, get to know other partners, participate in the events that WP organizes and go to as many workouts and races as possible – your ownership journey is what you make of it.
5.) How does it feel to have a horse pointing for the Breeders’ Cup?
I was ecstatic just to get a photo this year (in BP’s maiden debut), and now to have her pointed for Breeders’ Cup, it’s incredible! I don’t know if it’s beginners luck or what, but I’m making sure to enjoy every moment and not take for granted what a feat it is to be in this prestigious race.