Carmine’s Personality Adds Color to Kentucky Spring Horse Show
Equestrian News Release
Lexington, KY- May 18, 2006 – Anyone involved in the horse show industry knows that horse shows are full of characters. Some are outrageous, some humorous, some adulterous, some obnoxious, and some are loyal horsemen until the very end. And some simply cannot be described in words. Carmine Zerella, known to most only by his first name, is truly one of a kind. A dedicated worker, Carmine has numerous responsibilities at horse shows managed by Hugh Kincannon, who is currently managing the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, and he never fails to give 100% to his job.
Carmine first met Kincannon at the Turfway Park Racetrack in Florence, KY. At that time, Kincannon was managing an annual horse show on the Turfway Park grounds, with horse show arenas encircled by the racetrack. He met Carmine while out at the park, and their meeting led to Carmine’s dedicated employment at horse shows.
“I met Carmine in 1991, when we moved the Greater Cincinnati Classic Horse Shows to Turfway Park,” explained Kincannon with a smile. “He sort of came with the racetrack. He was there and had worked at the track, and he just kind of caught on and began doing odd jobs around the horse show.” He said with a laugh, “The rest is history.”
“Working with Carmine is, well, interesting,” reported Kincannon. “He is a goodhearted person and has a really good sense for people. We basically give Carmine his duties and leave him alone. He manages to get everything done by the end of the day. He keeps all the offices clean, picks up, and keeps everything neat and clean around the horse show.”
Because Carmine was a professional jockey for 15 years before getting severely hurt, he never lost his love of the horse industry, and he readily accepted work at shows. “I was a jockey,” related Carmine. “Then I was an exercise boy, and then I got hurt really badly in 1994.”
“I met Mr. Kincannon 15 years ago,” remembered Carmine. “I did the landscaping, and then I did the American Jumping Classic Grand Prix there. I’d go up to Galbreath Field in Kings Mills, Ohio, every year and build the course and then tear it down after the event was over. Then I would go back to Turfway Park and make sure everything was locked up and in good condition for the morning, and then I’d go back to Galbreath Field. The last grand prix there was a $100,000 grand prix, and that was a privilege to do.”
“I was a wrestling manager for WCW (World Championship Wrestling) at that time. I managed Abdullah the Butcher, The Grim Reaper, and the list goes on and on. I managed the Iron State WWF Championships in Pontiac, Michigan too. Now I do whatever Hugh needs at his shows. I do refunds and returns for items people have lost. I clean up, lock up, and do anything in between. Most importantly, I get the ladies their coffee and their sandwiches in the morning.”
Carmine, who is sure to bring the judges’ cards and announcer information to the office every day, enjoys the atmosphere of the horse shows. “The shows are really excellent,” he said. “I love the competitions with the kids and events like the pony finals. The kids’ shows are competitive, and they really have fun. The people are really nice too. You meet worldly people. Working at the shows is fantastic, and Mr. Murphy has been really good to me.”
Although he grew up in New York City, he considers Louisiana home. “I traveled all over the world as a jockey and rode in about 28 states. I lived in Arizona for five years, I lived in Louisiana for five years, and I call Louisiana home because the food is excellent there. I now live in Florence, KY, about a mile from Turfway Park.”
“I’m the most colorful man around,” he added. “I can do just about anything, ya know? I enjoy doing what needs to be done. There are so many things to do around here that it’s hard to explain. Most of all, the people are grateful to get their belongings back when they leave them at ringside or somewhere on the grounds. They are really grateful, which is a nice part of my job. I would also like to thank Mr. Devers for the golf carts he’s been giving me over the years. They’ve been really good to me too.”
Colorful is right. Stories from Carmine’s past are quite unbelievable and sure to make listeners’ jaws drop. With an enthusiasm for work and a unique perspective on life, Carmine is an essential part of the Kentucky Horse Shows.
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