In my series of blogs, I’m going to be giving you an insight into my daily life as a Trainer Coach.
New Years Resolutions
The New Year signifies change for a lot of people, whether that’s setting personal or professional goals, no matter how big or small, for the year ahead. For the first time in my life, I’ve set myself a New Year’s resolution and hopefully (the key word being hopefully!) I will stick to it.
I think it’s important to set small, realistic goals for personal growth, so I want to expand my vocabulary this year and use the word ‘very’ less. Opting to use a different word, instead of describing something as “very…”.
The team welcomed me with open arms
At the latter end of December, I was persuaded to dig out my old boots and return from retirement. Being the self-confessed workaholic I am, or ‘mad woman’ by those close to me, I agreed to getting up at the crack of dawn, heading to a local racing yard, Olly Murphy Racing, and riding out. The team welcomed me with open arms, and four lots in the pouring rain – The joys!
I immediately thought “what on earth have I done”, quickly followed by “it’s a good job I’ve brought my waterproofs out of retirement too”, although I’d have preferred them to stay in the cupboard!
With the difficult days, come extremely rewarding ones too
Riding out in the rain is pretty much the norm during the winter. Having worked in racing yards for the past 13 years, I know how difficult the winter months can be. Dark, cold, wet days, fresh Monday mornings and the daily struggles with the industry wide staff shortages. We have to ensure that every single horse in our care has their individual needs met, 24/7, 365 days of the year. But with the difficult days, come extremely rewarding ones too. There is nothing like seeing your best friend put in the performance of their lives to win for the whole team at home!
The 4:45am alarms are entirely worth it
After not riding out on the gallops for a good eight months, the panic soon set in. Will I be fit enough? Will I make a complete fool of myself? Will I survive that dreaded Monday morning? It’s safe to say I did survive, and I enjoyed it that much, I’ve continued riding out daily before work. The 4:45am alarms are entirely worth it. There is nothing in this world like riding a racehorse on the gallops.
It’s not just a job, it’s a passion, a way of life
As soon as I jumped off onto the deep sand, I knew I was at home. It’s not just a job, it’s a passion, a way of life. It’s like putting on an old, comfy pair of slippers. You never forget that feeling.
I’ve begun to get attached to one horse in particular, ‘The Ferminator’. He’s a strange little horse, quite sensitive, but he gives my arms a jolly good workout!
One thing I love about riding quirky horses, is working out that little jigsaw puzzle and building that relationship with them. It’s something I’ve always prided myself in doing and have already rehomed two similar horses; Shadow Walker and Tulane. More about those two next time……
For more information about our racing qualifications, click here.