Equine Industry Expert with 42 Years Experience

CHRISTINA PIKE

Equine Industry Expert ** Years Professional Experience Thoroughbred Racing & Sales Specialist

Folsom, LA 70437 ****************@*****.*** 985-***-****

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Highly accomplished equine industry professional with 42 years of hands-on expertise spanning thoroughbred racing, breeding farm management, consignment sales, racehorse training, hunter/jumper circuits, Arabian show horses, and retail tack shop management. Proven track record working alongside elite trainers, consignors, and bloodstock professionals at the highest levels of the industry including Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton sales in Kentucky. Deep product knowledge across equine nutrition, pharmaceuticals, tack, and riding apparel gained through years of purchasing and managing two equine retail operations. Exceptional client relationship skills developed through decades of direct owner, trainer, and vendor communication. Now seeking a remote equine industry role in customer experience, sales, or product education where decades of real-world expertise translate directly into value.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Thoroughbred Racing & Training Racehorse Conditioning & Performance Bloodstock & Consignment Sales

Farm & Barn Management Stallion Handling Foal & Yearling Development Veterinary Assistance

Equine Retail Buying & Merchandising Tack Shop Management Vendor Relations Show Circuit Logistics

Client & Owner Relations Customer Experience Team Leadership Multi-Discipline Horse Knowledge

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Customer Service Specialist The Home Depot Covington, LA

2024 – Present

•Face-to-face customer service specialist managing returns, purchases, and account activities

•Consistently recognized for strong communication and problem-solving with high customer volume

Assistant Trainer / Groom Pelican State Thoroughbred Louisiana

2020 – 2023

•Assisted in developing individualized training regimens including exercise routines, diet plans, and race schedules

•Coordinated with head trainer, veterinarians, and jockeys to optimize each horse's performance and wellbeing

•Managed all regulatory documentation for race entries and compliance requirements

•Maintained detailed health, training, and performance records for each horse in the barn

Assistant Barn Manager Busch Sporthorses Folsom, LA

2010 – 2020

•Managed daily barn operations including feeding, grooming, stall maintenance, and show preparation

•Served as show groom on competition circuits, ensuring horses arrived in peak condition

Barn Manager / Assistant Trainer Billy Vaughn Racing Stables Folsom, LA

2012 – 2016

•Managed thoroughbred boarding barn and served as assistant trainer for the barn owner

•Simultaneously trained personal horses for racing, managing all aspects of their development and race scheduling

Consignment Sales & Elite Racing Operations Taylor Made Sales, Brandywine Farm, Kenny McPeek Racing & Others Lexington, KY & Louisiana

Early–Mid 1990s – 2010

•Worked with three premier Kentucky consignors preparing and presenting horses at Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton sales — among the most prestigious thoroughbred auctions in the world

•Developed elite-level expertise in conformation evaluation, sales preparation, and high-stakes client relations with buyers and sellers transacting at the highest levels of the industry

•Groomed for renowned trainer Kenny McPeek, gaining experience at the top tier of thoroughbred racing

•Served as Shed Foreman at Clear Creek Stud in Louisiana, overseeing daily operations and staff

•Worked for multiple leading Louisiana trainers including Terry Gabriel, Doug Plaisance, Ky Lormand, Dewey Averett, and Billy Vaughn

•Traveled extensively on hunter/jumper show circuits as show groom for trainer Ginger Black

•Served as noise trainer for the New Orleans Police Department mounted unit

Manager & Merchandise Buyer English Riding Shop (Tack & Apparel) Louisiana

Approx. Mid-Career

•Managed all operations of English riding retail shop including staffing, inventory, and customer experience

•Served as sole merchandise buyer for all tack, riding apparel, and equine supplies — developing deep vendor relationships and product expertise across major equine brands

•Operated mobile tack shop at horse shows and equestrian events, building direct relationships with competitors and trainers

Groom / Farm Hand / Freelance Horse Professional Various Thoroughbred & Arabian Operations Louisiana

Ages 16 – Late 20s

•Age 16: First paid equine position at local barn, earning board and feed for personal horse

•Age 17: Jefferson Downs racetrack, New Orleans — working under trainer Jim Chehardy

•Age 19: Double Dam Thoroughbreds & Quarter Horses breeding farm, Folsom, Louisiana

•Age 20–21: Arabian farm show groom, traveling the Southern District show circuit and Canadian Nationals

•Age 21–23: Good Guys Thoroughbred Farm — groom for horses in training, stallion handling, foal halter breaking, and veterinary assistance

•Ages 21–23: Freelance work breaking 2-year-olds and providing farm care across multiple operations

•Clear Creek Stud — racehorse groom and 2-year-old in training sale preparation at the New Orleans Fairgrounds

Independent Racehorse Trainer / Owner Self-Employed Louisiana

Present

•Currently training My Boy Mitchell, a thoroughbred gelding, toward his maiden race

•Managing all aspects of conditioning, veterinary coordination, and race preparation independently

EDUCATION

Business Administration University of Phoenix 2008 – 2010

EQUINE INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE

Brands & Products: Purina, SmartPak, Farnam, Absorbine, Nutrena, Tribute, Zoetis, Merck Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ariat, Cinch, Wrangler and many more — with hands-on experience using, recommending, and purchasing these products professionally.

Disciplines: Thoroughbred Racing Arabian Show Hunter/Jumper Stock Horses Breeding & Foaling Sales Prep

Industry Connections: Established relationships across Louisiana and Kentucky racing and show communities built over 42 years.

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