Kashimoto Riko
Kashimoto Riko is a supporting character in Umamusume Pretty Derby who serves as a high-ranking URA official and as the Acting Chairwoman of Tracen Academy during Akikawa Yayoi's overseas trip. A former trainer, she simultaneously leads Team First. Although her unyielding commitment to absolute management gives her a cold appearance, she harbors a deep dedication to the well-being and growth of the Umamusume.
Overview
Kashimoto Riko is a supporting character in Umamusume Pretty Derby who serves as a high-ranking URA official and as the Acting Chairwoman of Tracen Academy during Akikawa Yayoi's overseas trip. A former trainer, she simultaneously leads Team First. Although her unyielding commitment to absolute management gives her a cold appearance, she harbors a deep dedication to the well-being and growth of the Umamusume.
Appearance
Kashimoto Riko is a woman with long, wavy black hair and light gold eyes. She wears a pinstriped suit jacket paired with a long-sleeved shirt, accessorized with earrings and a chest brooch.
Personality
Kashimoto Riko projects a stern demeanor due to her brief and direct manner of speaking, yet she harbors a genuine care for Umamusume. Fearing that emotional choices lead to injury, she upholds a philosophy of complete management governing training, rest, and diet. While highly efficient in professional settings, she suffers from abysmal physical fitness and coordination, frequently demonstrating a clumsy side in daily situations.
Abilities
As a trainer and administrator, Kashimoto Riko possesses exceptional capabilities, successfully managing and training at least fifteen Umamusume concurrently to elite performance levels. She excels at tracking physical conditioning and scheduling. Conversely, her physical abilities are remarkably poor; she struggles severely with running, ball sports, and basic athletic exercises due to low stamina and physical clumsiness.
Background
Riko previously enjoyed a successful training career at Tracen Academy. However, after allowing her student to compete in team races out of respect for her wishes, the student suffered a fatigue fracture during a race and was forced to retire. Traumatized by this incident, Riko adopted a strict management doctrine to suppress reckless behavior and prevent injuries. Appointed as Acting Chairwoman by Akikawa Yayoi, she attempts to implement her strict curriculum across the academy, clashing with the protagonist's team during the Aoharu Cup.
Relationships
Riko enjoys the trust of Chairwoman Akikawa Yayoi, who appointed her as interim leader in hopes of helping her overcome her past regret. She has earned the deep trust of Bitter Glasse and Little Cocon, the members of her Team First. She maintains professional ties with her fellow trainer Kiryuin Aoi, and while opposing the protagonist trainer ideologically in the Aoharu Cup, she routinely offers them helpful guidance.
Trivia
Riko is unable to sleep at night if she drinks more than two cups of coffee. She exhibits endearing quirks, such as mispronouncing 'alpaca' as 'alcapa' and stumbling under the weight of a rice-pounding mallet. Fan discussions often link her design and themes to real-world racehorses like Sunday Silence and Real Shadai, and her low physical endurance has led to playful fan nicknames like 'Trecen's Knee God.'
