At the age of 16 years Lionel A. Vanterpool of St Thomas, USVI is already a race winning horse owner having lead his mare City Splendour to victory and who was also involved in the grooming of champion horse Pumped Up Kicks (shown above). Photo: Provided

Vanterpool with USVI Champion horse Pumped Up Kicks. Photo: Provided

According to the young man, City Splendour won in St Thomas already and he has hopes of her doing well this Sunday March 20, 2016 in St Thomas. Photo: Provided

The youth said that he knew that Pumped Up Kicks could win races. “He just needed time. When he came to St Thomas he was small. He didn’t have any speed,” he said. Photo: Provided

The young man said that horse racing has always been a part of his life. Here he is with Pumpd Up Kicks. Photo: Provided

Speaking with this news site on Monday March 14, 2016 Vanterpool said he, along with two other gentlemen, Luis Niles and Robert Petersen Jr, owns City Splendour.

“I buy her and I would exercise her and keep her on that exercise regimen,” he said. “She come from St Croix, ran here and won (in St Thomas),” he said.

The teen said that when he is in school, one of the other men would make sure that things get done with the training and such like, and make sure that the horse gets its exercise.

According to the young man, City Splendour won in St Thomas already and he has hopes of her doing well this Sunday March 20, 2016 in St Thomas.

Pumped Up Kicks a fighter

The youth said he knew that Pumped Up Kicks could win races. “We all just needed time. When he came to St Thomas he was small. He didn’t have much inside to keep him running.”

But Vanterpool said he continued to work with him and eventually the horse started showing his true potential in races.

He also expects a lot out of Pumped Up Kicks in Sunday’s races. “Well Pumped Up Kicks, he is the tough one. I could throw him in the bushes and he would come out fighting,” he said.

Horse racing has changed

The young man said horse racing has always been a part of his life. “I coming here from the time I young but since I grow up horse racing changed,” he said, adding that the races are less, fewer horses are participating and the prize monies lower.

“To keep our horses running we always travel... we keep travelling because it barely have races,” he said.

Asked how he feels about competing in Tortola, he said, “Well it’s a good thing. I’ve been over there three times and I’ve won three times with Pumped Up Kicks,” he said.

Vanterpool said that as far as he is aware, he is the youngest person to venture into the sport at such a level and wants the sport to continue to develop.

With young Mr Vanterpool making the leap into a sport which has a rich tradition and history in the Greater Virgin Islands, it could possibly spawn new life and vigour into the sport and open up interest to a new wave of youthful spectators and fans. This is especially possible when persons see the success Vanterpool has achieved in the sport at such a young age and with still so much more to learn and experience.