Andrea Seefeldt Knight’s transition from the racetrack to the sporting clay range is a testament to her enduring competitive spirit and adaptability. After a successful 14-year career as a professional jockey, Seefeldt Knight’s passion for competition never truly faded. Her journey in the world of horse racing saw her making significant strides as one of the few women to compete in some of the most prestigious events, including the Preakness Stakes and Kentucky Derby. While she retired from riding in 1994, her pursuit of adrenaline-filled competition would soon take a new direction.
After a brief and exciting return to racing in the early 2010s for a special event, Seefeldt Knight found herself once again chasing that same sense of thrill. However, this time, the pursuit was not on horseback but with a gun in hand. At the age of 58, she became one of the most accomplished sporting clay shooters in the country, a sport that, much like racing, demands precision, focus, and a competitive drive. Her journey into shooting was sparked by curiosity and quickly transformed into a passion. It was a pursuit that perfectly filled the void left by her former career.
Seefeldt Knight’s professional riding career was groundbreaking, with notable achievements that include being the second woman to ever compete in the Preakness Stakes and the third to participate in the Kentucky Derby in the 1990s. She also made history as the first female rider to win the Pennsylvania Derby. These accomplishments were part of a broader career where she amassed 605 race wins and over $1.3 million in purse earnings, marking her as one of the top jockeys of her time. Despite these accolades, Seefeldt Knight never saw herself as being at the top but rather as someone who made a significant contribution to the sport, particularly for women jockeys.
Her career was filled with challenges, including balancing the weight restrictions that come with being a jockey, particularly as a woman in a male-dominated field. Yet, Seefeldt Knight continued to prove herself with every race, overcoming obstacles with determination and resilience. The competitive nature she developed on the racetrack translated seamlessly to the shooting range, where she has since become a world-class shooter.
Her shift from racing to sporting clays was no accident. Seefeldt Knight’s competitive nature was sparked by her involvement in fox hunting, which led her to try clay shooting. With an intense desire to learn and improve, she quickly found herself immersed in the sport. Seeking out top-tier instruction, Seefeldt Knight trained under the guidance of some of the best in the world, including Anthony Matarese, a renowned shooter and instructor. Her commitment to learning and perfecting her craft paid off, earning her accolades such as the Lady Silver Medal at the ICTSF World English Championship in 2019, along with numerous state and national titles.
As a testament to her dedication, Seefeldt Knight also became an instructor, teaching others the skills she has honed over the years. Her expertise has made her a sought-after coach in the world of clay shooting, and her influence is felt at various shooting clubs, including her role as a resident instructor at First Mine Run and her involvement in the design and management of shooting courses at Loch Raven Skeet & Trap.
Even as she continues to excel in shooting, Seefeldt Knight maintains a humble perspective on her achievements, comparing her performance in shooting to her time as a jockey. While she acknowledges that she may not have been at the top of her field in either career, she takes pride in her contributions and the hard work she has put into both sports. As she approaches her 60s, Seefeldt Knight remains as committed as ever to perfecting her craft and sharing her knowledge with others.
Looking ahead to Preakness weekend, Seefeldt Knight will return to Pimlico, not as a competitor but as a spectator, bringing with her a deep understanding of the effort and dedication required to succeed in the sport. Her journey from the racetrack to the shooting range highlights not only her versatility but her passion for pushing the boundaries of what is possible, proving that the competitive fire never truly burns out.
