Photo: Jessica Paquette at the 2025 Horse Racing Women’s Association Annual Conference. Credit: Kate Jones Photography

A Voice That Opens Doors

In response to Chelsea Hackbarth’s recent Paulick Report column, “What Does the Next Jessica Paquette See?”, the HRWA is sharing our reflection on the responsibility we all have to support women who break new ground in racing.

September 26, 2026–Jessica Paquette has made history in the announcer’s booth. The response to her success should tell the next woman watching that she belongs there, too. Chelsea Hackbarth’s article is a thoughtful reminder that the way our industry responds to women who break new ground matters. 

At HRWA, our pillars are to engage, elevate, and invest in women of racing. We see those words as a call to action for the entire industry: engage women by building a community where they belong, elevate their work and their stories, and invest in the opportunities and support that help them grow professionally and personally. 

A place in this sport is earned through talent, dedication, and hard work. Our role is to help ensure women have the opportunity to demonstrate those qualities and receive the recognition their work deserves.

We celebrate Jessica and hope the women following her see a sport ready to welcome them, champion their ambitions, and make room for what they will accomplish next.

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About the Horse Racing Women’s Association (HRWA)

The Horse Racing Women’s Association (HRWA) is a community-driven organization committed to empowering, elevating, and investing in women in horse racing. Through industry events, leadership programming, educational resources, and meaningful networking opportunities, HRWA champions the advancement of women while fostering collaboration across every facet of the sport. From executives and entrepreneurs to horsewomen, media professionals, and fans, HRWA serves as a platform for connection, visibility, and progress within the racing industry. For more information, visit horseracingwomen.com.