Interview
with CC Perkinson
By Beatrice Davis
Here we are, having a fantastic opportunity to interview one
incredible lady with a career most of us just dream about it.
CC Perkinson is not your typical woman you
meet every day! She’s a Mother; a successful Professional Racehorse Jockey for
over 10 years and this vivacious woman has now changed careers for her second
passion in life and became an Actress/Producer/Host.
This interview I hope will inspire many people out there and show
them that every woman can achieve anything she wants in life as long as you put
hard work and dedication to it anything is possible.
NSAEN: What initially inspired you to become a
racehorse jockey and when did you decide to make it a profession?
CC: Growing up in Texas,
my family always had horses and cattle. I was riding at a very young age and by
the time I was 9, I received my very own horse at Christmas time. In mastering
my riding skills I would challenge all neighborhood kids (we lived in
NSAEN: What does it take and what are the
qualifications to become a racehorse jockey?
CC: Let me start with the obvious here. Weight
Restrictions, Fitness, Health and Strength are a huge part of the job. On an
average, a jockey weighs anywhere from 105-121 pounds during their entire
racing career. In doing so, this requires constant fitness training, food
management and extreme discipline for most. For myself, I truly believed in
maintaining a very healthy lifestyle. Racing at the time, was my biggest dream
to achieve and I wanted to give 110% to the sport. My reward, you may ask, was
surviving and succeeding successfully for over 10 years in the Horse Racing
industry.
NSAEN: Did you have to overcome obstacles as a
female to be accepted in the racing field especially since it is a male
dominated world?
CC: The obstacles as a female in the racing
field, was a constant. Every day issued a new challenge. Whether it be, was I
strong enough to bring this horse across the finish line or did I have
‘relationships’ with someone to get this mount for the race. Most of the time
it felt like a no win situation but with determination and hard work, I would
come across the finish line in first! Drum roll please… The ‘hard work’ for my
profession as a jockey, paid off!
NSAEN: Since most of our readers are not familiar
with racehorse jockey’s work, the question pops up, do you get hired season by
season or hired by a horse owner to be on his team or do you have to apply for
the jobs just like a freelancer does?
CC: Racing in California is year round, which is
one of the reasons why it’s the toughest place to make a living at being a
jockey. The rider availability is endless. The percentage of a successful fulltime
jockey is very small. On a standard, a jockey is hired or will hire an ‘agent’
to run his/her business on the track. The agent’s job is to hustle your ability
to the trainers and owners to use you for the horse’s next race. If you’re
successful, usually the relationship continues with that ‘BARN’. Typically an
agent will earn 25% of your earned income from horse racing.
NSAEN: What is the ultimate achievement for a
racehorse jockey?
CC: Normally I would say the obvious, which is
winning. However along with that, I believe being well respected and recognized
as a talented and skillful jockey amongst the industry players is very
rewarding.
NSAEN: Why did you decide to change professions
and became a television host, actress and producer?
CC: I changed careers for two reasons. Basically,
I have two dreams I want to fulfill in my lifetime. 1: To be a racehorse
jockey. 2: To be an actress. I never
wanted to race horses for a lifetime. I just truly wanted to do it to the point
of feeling, I had succeeded and fulfilled my dream as a professional jockey and
I did it to the BEST of my ability.
My dream was completed and I was satisfied with the total horses I
rode to the winners circle which earned over half a million dollars.
Translation, there were a lot of races won and for me, that equaled success!
Now it’s time for me to pursue my second passion. The Entertainment Industry and I approach that just as I do my life
with determination and hard work!!!!
NSAEN: If you look back on your career now, what
would you do differently and why?
CC: If I chose to do anything different in my
career that would have been to race on the East Coast.
NSAEN: Can you fill us in what you are doing
nowadays?
CC: These days I keep filled with, for starters,
my 4yr old son Jonah. He is the biggest joy I have. His timing in my life and
career was impeccable. I’m extremely grateful to God for allowing me to be a
mother to such a wonderful boy such as Jonah.
In other news, I have been swamped with Auditions for upcoming
roles in both T.V. and Film. This is turning out to be a very exciting year for
me!
NSAEN: You auditioned for a reality show to be
produced by WETV, is this project already confirmed?
CC: Yes!! We begin filming on May 25th.
The show will be called ‘Most Popular’.
Hopefully your readers will be supportive of me and check out WETV
network as well as online for contestant awareness. Vote! Vote! Vote!!
NSAEN: With all the projects you are working on,
there must not be much time left for a personal life. How do you manage to get
some time out for yourself?
CC: It’s true, at the end of the day I’m
exhausted. Fortunately I have a great support system at home which I’m very
happy and fortunate to have. In the big scheme of life, family is the number
one blessing you can have. Acknowledging that is a top priority for me.
NSAEN: What are some of your hobbies and leisure
activities?
CC: Hobbies for me have included Celebrity Golf
tournaments for different charities. This is always a great opportunity to give
back. I also enjoy hiking with my 3 dog’s (all rescues) as a big stress
reliever for me. Of course, playing baseball and soccer with my son is a
wonderful weekend pastime as well.
NSAEN: Looking at you one question pops up; how
do you stay so fit, slim, and beautiful? Any special secrets you can share with
us?
CC: First let me emphatically say ‘Thank You’!
However, there are no secrets to my look. It is constant trips to yoga classes,
and sessions with my personal trainer, Giovanni. When you make healthy living a
lifestyle, it’s so much easier to keep a routine, mentally and physically.
NSAEN: We all have our little pet peeves we can’t
live without what are your three things you can’t live without no matter where
you go?
CC: Booze, cigarettes, and donuts!! HA, wouldn’t
that just be a mess if it were the truth!!!
I would have to honestly say, my cell phone is a key factor as
with the rest of the entire population these days. Secondly: basic makeup and
lip gloss! My last choices, a pair of loose jeans, white T-shirt, and a great
pair of high heels!!
NSAEN: Where do you see yourself in the next 5
years and what is your Ideal dream come true?
CC: In the entertainment industry (TV, film) I
would love to be a part of an ensemble cast that has a long running history
ahead of them-selves.
I would enjoy being a motivational speaker for young kids.
And most importantly, I want to consciously be able to make the
best decision for my son’s well-being and education.
NSAEN: How can we reach you or catch up with you
and follow your career and new projects?
CC: Staying up with me and my career is easy with
Google these days. However you can also keep up with me at:
www.facebook.com
(ccperkinson)
I want to personally thank NSAEN for taking the time out of their
busy publication to learn more about myself, and my career. You’re the best!
Sincerely,
CC Perkinson