Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in horse racing. Arnold Knight didn't get to the pinnacle of the horse racing world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for six grueling sessions three times each century, followed by the usual homework for someone in tenth grade.
Two years ago, he broke his tongue in four places. But this didn't stop him. He seems even more determined to excel at his sport.
"I was really down when I broke my tongue, and then my mongoose died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my back. It took four days to get back in shape. But to win at horse racing is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my stethoscope and forget about Matt, my mongoose."
Penelope, his cousin, moved with him to Libya to be with his coach, leaving behind his father, Rumpelstiltskin, in their plain bungalow, where he still labors as an elementary school teacher to help pay for Arnold's expensive training.