This document provides a summary of Albert Cusson's qualifications and experience in the thoroughbred industry. It outlines his extensive experience as a licensed trainer, assistant trainer, jockey, exercise rider, and groom working with many hall of fame trainers from the 1970s to present. It also summarizes his education, including jockey school and experience working as a veterinary assistant. His wife Cynthia is highlighted for her university education in biology and nutrition. The document chronicles their journey together racing horses from 1991 to 2003 before purchasing a farm in Florida in 2003.
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CORE QUALIFICATIONS
SELECTED EDUCATION
ALBERT CUSSONpo.Box 2301, Hallandale, Florida 33009 | C: 352-426-0293 | cyncan61@gmail.com
Accomplished Horseman with experience in all aspects of the Thoroughbred Industry. Experience in
Farm Management, RaceTrack. Employed by many Hall Of Fame Trainers NOT JUST ONE! Visionary,
Personal and Passionate. Horsemanship with positive results.
Licensed Thoroughbred Trainer
Have been Licensed on 30 race
tracks in U.S. and Canada
Other License's include, Owner,
Breeder, Jockey, Exercise Rider,
Groom
Assistant Trainer
Rehab
Legging Up
Race Conditioning Mentally and
physically
Breaking Young Horses
Thoroughbred Sales prep
02/1753 Student and Investment Partner
Southern California
Career began in 1973 with Rex Ellsworth (3 years jockey school in Southern
California). Opportuinty offered partnership and assistant trainer as well as
learning to be a jockey. Breaking and legging up young horses at farm as well for
other outfits. Sending horses to Southern and Northern Race tracks in California
and Canada. Desolved arangements on good terms. I began exercising horses
at Santa Anita, Holywood Park, and Del Mar and many local farms, and having a
small string of horses until the late 70's. Many times I was sent to Northern
California to exercise horse's for certain trainers (many trainers had barns in
Southern and Northern California).
02/1753 Horse's I've Exercised
Doonsbury, Prized, Skillful Joy, Wild Again, Twlight Agenda, Copper Mel, and so
many more.
02/1753 Journey to New York
1988 to 1991
From 1988 to 1999 I spent time in New York working for John Veitch, Leroy Jolley
and Woody Stevens knowing what they have done in the past and present
was a must employment to compare there skills and abilities on where why
and how come. The education taken in only verified the education from my
past and that these trainers and the trainers from west coast had many things
in common 1. there were educated horsemen 2. they had back grounds of
management, hard work, passion.
02/1753 Eduation in the work force (west coast)
70's and 80's
Worked for many Sourthern California trainers Charlies Whitingham, Bill
Winfrey, Gary Jones, John Longdon, Tommy Bell, Ron McAnally, Roger Stein, Jerry
Dutton, Mel Stute and many many more from 1975 to 1988
Jockey
Becoming a Jockey and working in barns that were so readily available in
Southern California. This was a oppertuinty of education that could not be
refused. Riding races on 49 different tracks with 67% in the money. About 1000
mounts which most were our own horses. (Woody Stevens rode aprox 60
races) Yes you might say I wasn't a commercial jockey. I just prefered a
husband and wife operation attempting to build there own racing world.
02/1753 Partner in Crime
Cynthia Ashikian (wife)
Education; University of Victoria Bsc major in biolgy, minor in microbiology. This
is plus education that I believe is required in the equine industry. Correct
nutrition is a must and can only be retrieved through education (University of
Victoria 4 years) and as extensive my education was in the work force she was
a very important asset. Trainers these days rely on race ready feeds which is
2. VALUED DIFFERENCES
IMPROVEMENTS IN EQUINE DEVELOPMENTS
counter productive. In the past 15 years the world has been more active in
research in all nutrition in people (athletes) pets and in the equine industry,
these opinions are based on years of studies. Equine athletes are no
different they require special balanced feeds ( individually) to compete
in todays competitions. Cynthia offers special studies in
nutrition. With gifted personal attention, passion, kindness, her commucation
with horses brings out personalities in each and every horse. I honestly believe
they run for her. She offers things that can't be put into words. We believe
God created these great equines to race, jump or what ever the case may be,
and has given us the ability to care for them and keep them safe. WE ARE
THEIR CARE TAKERS.
A Journey With Love and Passion 1991 to 2003
1991 a journey with the one love of my life (my wife) and the racing industry. A
journey together across America racing at 32 different race tracks racing such
horses as Red Neck, Red Pope, Gleefully, Dan Ran and Flashy Vic ect. In 2003 we
purchased a farm in Ocala Florida with our own stud that goes back to
Alledged (sires side) and George Royal (mares Side). This journey offers a story of
travelling throughout the us from track to track in a Rv and a handful of horses.
More details with interview.
Veterinarian Schooling
Being with Rex Ellsworth for a number of years and having the oppertuinty to
work with Kuman Ellsworths (Well Known Veterinarian) I had the opportunity
to involved myself at the vet clinic that was available at the Chino California
Ranch. The opportunity to learn and have access to the many procedures and
particpate in many different leg repairs. Procedures from pin firing, blisters ect
of course I was only assisting. This was still a very valuable education for me
Besides the Jockey school knowing that collage or a university education
could not offer horsemenship it had to be earned through a working experience
through different top outfits in the country, that's why my history offers not
just one good trainer and many different training schedules, just alone I
learned 20 different types of training schedules from 1 trainer alone and whats
interesting of all is the different type of feed programs offered in the 70's and
80's. These days 99 percent of trainers feed the well known pre mixed race feed
which In my opinion is counter productive for many reasons. These days trainers
only offer a plug and play type system which shows lack of passion, pride,
professional attitude as well as being artistic. There's nothing better than
being a chef for 10 or so equines in a shed row and here them talk and talk all at
once. My wife will say you want your ne ne's and they just yell and yell it puts
such a smile on your face. And if one's not yelling somethings wrong.
Thoughtout the mid 70's I had the oppertuinty to work with Victory Racing
Plates and at that time they were designing a shoe where a piece of rubber
was being riveted on the bottom of the shoe, the idea was ideal but the
rubber wouldn't stay on because of weight so it was discontinued. The other
opportunity I had as far as envolvement in making equine improvements was
in 1980's when hydronic acid first came to the U.S. which was imported from
Switzerland to Ed Gray (Owner, Trainer, Breeder, Member of California Horse
Bacing Board) of course the use of this product has changed in many ways as
far as the original application. Point being it was designed to be injected and
to give time off (note) applying it this way offered healing the injury not a
temporary fix.
I also invented a replacement for Ice boots (water) is very destructive to
feet, as well as counter productive when it comes to glue on shoes, My
product cools the legs without wetting the foot. I Also designed equipment
for hock issues to train with, to race with. Another item was an anti fugal
saddle cloth which is also, heat resistant and it does not absorb sweat nor
3. water. Also an elastic with Velcro a strap that secures a sponge cover on the
morning girth and afternoon race girth (under girth).