Hailing from Oakbank, Manitoba, Skye Chernetz had an early introduction to horses and horse racing. Her mother, Bonnie Eshelman, was one of the first female jockeys in Canada, riding from 1972 to 2005 and was the first woman to win a stakes race in Ontario. Chernetz, who started show jumping when she was six, has carved out an impressive riding career of her own. In 2013, she won 54 races and recorded more than $2 million in purse earnings before being named the Sovereign Award winner for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey. Chernetz is closing in on 200 career victories and has three stakes triumphs.
You were just in Las Vegas. What show would you do and who would be your opening act?
“It’s funny. I actually thought of this when my sister and I were there. I was wondering what these performers’ lives are like and I thought they must be really cool, interesting people. I would love to do a montage of impersonations. I’d do a whole bunch of outfit changes and impersonate famous people, men or women, from the past. I’d make it into a comedy show. I think it would be so much fun to have those different outfits and try my best to impersonate singers and other famous celebrities. I would go with Chelsea Handler as my opening act. She’s so funny and she could get everyone laughing before I came on.”