G. R. Carter
Encyclopedia
G. R. Carter, JR (born February 6, 1968) is a professional American Quarter Horse jockey
. On June 1, 2008, he became the all-time leading money earning jockey in American Quarter Horse racing history surpassing the previous record of $41,405,207 million in mount earnings. He has continued to add to the record since, topping the $55 million mark.
Carter has been named American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA)
World Champion Jockey eight times in his career including six years consecutively from 2003-2008. In the history of the award, no other jockey has won more than five titles.
. As a teenager, he was a competitive gymnast and won the state championship. During his Senior year at Pawhuska High School, Carter won the Class A State Wrestling Championship at 108 pounds.
Growing up, Carter was involved in ranching and rodeos which helped develop his love of horses. At age 14, he began galloping race horses for a local trainer to help fund his rodeo participation. He would occasionally ride races on the weekends throughout his Senior year in high school at Blue Ribbon Downs and Eureka Downs.
in Southern California. After a couple of successful years in California
, Carter moved his home base back to Oklahoma
.
Carter has won the All American Futurity
twice. The All American Futurity is Quarter Horse racing's equivalent of the Kentucky Derby
which is for Thoroughbred
race horses. He won the All American Futurity in 1998 aboard FALLING IN LOVEAGAIN and again in 2008 aboard STOLIS WINNER.
In 2008, Carter set a new AQHA single-season earnings record by reaching the $5,027,173 mark in mount earnings. This eclipsed the previous record of $4.5 million which he had set. Also in 2008, Carter broke his own single-meet record for wins at Remington Park in Oklahoma City
, Oklahoma with a total of 98.
Adding to an incredible 2008, he rode Fast Prize Zoom to a World Record for 300 yards. The record was established at Sunland Park in Sunland, New Mexico
with a final time of 14.87 seconds.
Carter also jockeys American Paint Horses on the racetrack. He hase been named American Paint Horse Association (APHA) World Champion Jockey eight times in his career. He has won numerous stakes and championships piloting Paint Horses as well. He was the jockey for the record-setting paint horse Got Country Grip, who tied a North American racing record for any breed in 2008 by winning 16 consecutive races. Racing statistics for Paint Horse races are not included in AQHA statistics.
May 31, 2009 was declared by Governor Brad Henry as G. R. Carter Day in Oklahoma.
Carter is known throughout the racing world for his "back-flip" dismounts. After winning a stakes race, he often uses his gymnastics background to celebrate by performing a back-flip off of the horse from the saddle.
Carter is currently the Vice Chairman on the Board of Directors of the Jockey's Guild which represents the interests of jockeys around the country.
He has been represented by jockey agent Donnie Stewart since December 2002.
, Oklahoma
. His father-in-law, Jerry Burgess also won the All American Futurity as a jockey in 1975 aboard Bugs Alive In 75.
In his spare time, Carter is an avid team roper. He will occasionally enter professional rodeos to satisfy his competitive nature. He won the Pro-Am at the 2007 World Series of Team Roping.
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
. On June 1, 2008, he became the all-time leading money earning jockey in American Quarter Horse racing history surpassing the previous record of $41,405,207 million in mount earnings. He has continued to add to the record since, topping the $55 million mark.
Carter has been named American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA)
American Quarter Horse Association
The American Quarter Horse Association , based in Amarillo, Texas, is an international organization dedicated to the preservation, improvement and record-keeping of the American Quarter Horse. The association sanctions many competitive events and maintains the official registry...
World Champion Jockey eight times in his career including six years consecutively from 2003-2008. In the history of the award, no other jockey has won more than five titles.
Early life
Carter is a Native American of Osage heritage who grew up in Pawhuska, OklahomaOklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. As a teenager, he was a competitive gymnast and won the state championship. During his Senior year at Pawhuska High School, Carter won the Class A State Wrestling Championship at 108 pounds.
Growing up, Carter was involved in ranching and rodeos which helped develop his love of horses. At age 14, he began galloping race horses for a local trainer to help fund his rodeo participation. He would occasionally ride races on the weekends throughout his Senior year in high school at Blue Ribbon Downs and Eureka Downs.
Professional career
After graduating high school in 1986, Carter moved to Sallisaw, Oklahoma to become a full-time jockey at Blue Ribbon Downs. He continued to ride primarily in the central part of the United States until the early 1990s when he moved his tack to Los Alamitos Race CourseLos Alamitos Race Course
Los Alamitos Race Course is a horse racing track in Cypress, California. The track hosts both thoroughbred and quarter horse racing. The track has the distinction of holding four quarter horse stakes races with purses over $1 million, more than any other track in the United States.-Early...
in Southern California. After a couple of successful years in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Carter moved his home base back to Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
.
Carter has won the All American Futurity
All American Futurity
The All American Futurity is a race for two-year-old American Quarter Horse racehorses run at Ruidoso Downs Race Track in Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico on Labor Day. It is the last leg of the AQHA Triple Crown that has only been won once, by Special Effort in 1981. A 4 million dollar bonus was once...
twice. The All American Futurity is Quarter Horse racing's equivalent of the Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
which is for Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
race horses. He won the All American Futurity in 1998 aboard FALLING IN LOVEAGAIN and again in 2008 aboard STOLIS WINNER.
In 2008, Carter set a new AQHA single-season earnings record by reaching the $5,027,173 mark in mount earnings. This eclipsed the previous record of $4.5 million which he had set. Also in 2008, Carter broke his own single-meet record for wins at Remington Park in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
, Oklahoma with a total of 98.
Adding to an incredible 2008, he rode Fast Prize Zoom to a World Record for 300 yards. The record was established at Sunland Park in Sunland, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
with a final time of 14.87 seconds.
Carter also jockeys American Paint Horses on the racetrack. He hase been named American Paint Horse Association (APHA) World Champion Jockey eight times in his career. He has won numerous stakes and championships piloting Paint Horses as well. He was the jockey for the record-setting paint horse Got Country Grip, who tied a North American racing record for any breed in 2008 by winning 16 consecutive races. Racing statistics for Paint Horse races are not included in AQHA statistics.
May 31, 2009 was declared by Governor Brad Henry as G. R. Carter Day in Oklahoma.
Carter is known throughout the racing world for his "back-flip" dismounts. After winning a stakes race, he often uses his gymnastics background to celebrate by performing a back-flip off of the horse from the saddle.
Carter is currently the Vice Chairman on the Board of Directors of the Jockey's Guild which represents the interests of jockeys around the country.
He has been represented by jockey agent Donnie Stewart since December 2002.
Personal
Carter's wife is Shaena, and they reside in Oklahoma CityOklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. His father-in-law, Jerry Burgess also won the All American Futurity as a jockey in 1975 aboard Bugs Alive In 75.
In his spare time, Carter is an avid team roper. He will occasionally enter professional rodeos to satisfy his competitive nature. He won the Pro-Am at the 2007 World Series of Team Roping.