After many years of hard work, determination and dedication to horse racing, Kibbeisha Little has finally fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a conditioner of thoroughbred racehorses.

Little, whose surname belies her strong, robust physical presence, was one of two females among a batch of 22 graduates from the 2017 Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) Trainers’ Training Programme. The other female is Keisha Lawrence.

“Well, I am excited at the moment, but I’m not going to go over the moon or anything like that. It is a very nice feeling, as I have accomplished my lifelong dream, which was to become a racehorse trainer.

“I came into the racing industry to become a trainer, and here I am a racehorse trainer! I am most grateful to everyone who helped to make this dream come true – come to reality.

“Right now, I am going to take it step by step. As you know, we [as trainers] are in a competitive sport and you just have to pace yourself and do the right thing at all times,” Little informed shortly after her graduation ceremony held recently at the JRC on Winchester Road in St Andrew.

She continued: “The [training school] makes you learn more, makes you develop more knowledge of the sport and the horses. Your apprentice master teaches you a lot, but the school makes you learn more as it goes in-depth, giving you an understanding of the racing industry.”

While she has not indicated when her career as a trainer will officially begin, Little confirmed that everything is in place and should run smoothly.

“For this year it is a no-no for me in terms of you seeing my name on a race programme, but next year (2018) you will see me in the early part. I don’t have any specific date when I will officially start my career, but it will be soon.

“I have a couple of owners that are on board who are willing to work with me and give me the opportunities. I am looking forward to everything, as this was what I was working towards. I know that this is a male-dominated sport, but I love the challenge and I will give it my best,” she declared.

A past student of the Cumberland High School in Portmore, St Catherine, Little shared with the Supreme Racing Guide how it all began for her.

“I’ve had a passion for the sport for a very long time since I was a child growing up in the Gregory Park community. I first started out under the guidance of trainer Enos Brown as his assistant. Well, things were slow at Brown’s barn, as he had a small string of horses and there was not enough to do.

“My opportunity came when trainer Patrick Lynch saw the potential in me and made me an offer which I took. Lynch has taught me many things – in fact, everything there is to know about training racehorses. Whenever he was on any other engagement he would lay out a plan that I must fulfil in his absence. He doesn’t have to worry, because he knows very well that he can depend on me to get the job done. I’ve been at Lynch’s barn from 2011 up until now,” Little shared.