Lorna Chavez interview conducted by Ellen E. McHale, 2012-07-17

Lorna Chavez is an exercise rider who divides her time between Saratoga Springs (May through November) and the racecourse at Gulf Stream Park in Florida. She is a contract rider, who works for several trainers as an independent employee. Lorna talks about the kind of work that she does and some of the changes that she has experienced. She speaks about gender issues and issues of age. Originally from England, she also talks about differences in attitudes between England and the USA.
This interview took place in a restaurant at mid-morning, after Lorna had finished her riding for the day. There are children playing hide-and-seek near the area of the restaurant where we are sitting and a few times we are interrupted by the wait staff or the interviewee's phone ringing.
Recorded at the Horseshoe Restaurant, Nelson Avenue, Saratoga Springs, New York, July 17, 2012.
Stable Views--Voices and Stories from the Thoroughbred Racetrack : Archie Green Fellows Project, 2012-2013 (AFC 2012/034: 00294) Archive of Folk Culture, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
To honor the memory of Archie Green (1917-2009), a fellowship program was established at the American Folklife Center in 2010. Archie Green Fellowships support new research in the contemporary culture and traditions of American workers.
In English.