Cross Training Contributes To Success For Trainer Amira Chichakly
Chichakly aboard Gentlemen's Bet
Though “cross training” is often used once a horse retires from racing to prepare it for a second career, trainer Amira Chichakly has been using it prior to retirement in an effort to better prepare her horses for racing.
Chichakly, who has a barn at Belmont Park, has used her methods with recent winners Liam’s Fire and Macho Boy, racing at Aqueduct; Miss Invincible, racing at Turfway Park; and After the Wire, racing at Mountaineer.
Chichakly focuses on getting the horses to use their bodies correctly, as well as riding them over ground poles and small jumps at Cherry Wine Equestrian, thus teaching the horses to be careful with their feet. The facility also allows for jogs and gallops in an indoor arena and plentiful turnout.
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Chichakly has found that cross training encourages her Thoroughbreds to engage their brains and allows them time to relax when they’re not at the track. An equestrienne, Chickaly was inspired to use her versatile riding background to encourage fitness in her racehorses and better prepare them for a career after racing.
Chickaly worked with Cherry Wine owner Kathleen Nathan to map out a cross-training plan for her racehorses. They both note that their regimen may not work for all horses, but getting them out of the same training routine can be beneficial both mentally and physically for the horses.
Some of Chickaly’s owners are now asking for their horses to cross train at Cherry Wine; the verdict is still out as to its benefits for each individual horse until it races.
Read more at DRF.
