Q&A with NBC Correspondent and Former Jockey: Donna Barton Brothers

NBC Correspondent and former jockey, Donna Barton Brothers, is the kind of girl that likes a challenge. As one of the most successful female jockeys, it would be easy to assume she had her sights set on horse racing from a young age. But that’s not the case, even though horse racing is in her blood. Donna’s mom helped forge the path for female jockeys in the 1960’s but never pressured any of her three kids into the sport. Brothers eventually saddled up when she was 21 years old and there was no stopping her as she was off to win over 1100 horse races.

Carri: Why weren’t you drawn into horse racing as a kid?

Donna: “I thought it seemed so mundane. At the time, I figured I would be a lawyer, politician or vet.”

Carri: What changed your path?

Donna: “I was 21 and living in Alabama when a family friend asked me to come train horses in Kentucky. An agent had been trying to get me on a horse for a while so I went for it. When I rode my first race it was the most exciting thing and it was challenging. From there it was no question that I wanted to make this my career.

Carri: You seem like the kind of person who always wants to be challenged.

Donna: “I do. That’s why I wasn’t always interested in racing horses because I didn’t think it was challenging.”

Carri: Do you ever wish you graduated college instead of pursuing a TV career?

Donna: “Nope. I was in school and doing 20 shows a year. I couldn’t do both so I decided to focus on the one that was paying.”

Carri: At what point did you decide to pursue horse racing and leave school?

Donna: “I knew that I had to choose after the Breeder’s Cup. I knew something wasn’t right when I ran out of questions because I couldn’t study up on the horse and jockey. And My GPA slipped from a 4.0 to a 3.958 when I got a B in Microeconomics.  I knew I couldn’t do both well.”

Carri: How challenging is it to conduct an interview on horseback?

Donna: “When I first started in TV I was really nervous, you know. But I think the nervousness helps me channel my energy.”

Carri: How do you deal with nervousness?

“If I do start to get nervous I think about nose breathing and start to anticipate the coming interview. I think it also helps that I meditate everyday. To avoid feeling nervous I make sure that I am prepared as possible.”

Carri: How often do you ride now?

“Only when I am on T.V.”