A purpose.

I don't know where I would be without horses, but I do know one thing, it wouldn't be anywhere good.

Horses give a person a reason to get up and out of the house (they aren't going to look after themselves),  they give us goals and dreams, they become family, they become our best friends. And let's face it, there's nothing like spending time with horses to make you feel better, have more confidence in yourself and just in general lift your mood.

Without getting to sentimental, I just know that if it wasn't for my horses I wouldn't be in a good place or even here at all.

My horses are literally my life. They're my work, my hobby, my lil family, my focus, my dreams and goals. 

Spud on Loan, Dentist for Goldrush.

So Spud has gone over to the otherside of the country for a week. I have loaned him to a member of the Australian team competing at NZHOY (horse of the year).
She seems like such a nice girl and has been sending me photos and updates since he got there.
Its good to know he's being taken care of :)

Meanwhile on this side of the country, Goldrush had his teeth done by the dentist, who did him when she came to do the work horses. 

He was really good, it would have been his first time in his life since he was completely wild before I got him. 

He was actually really well behaved!!

So proud of my lil man. 

What are jumpouts?

We have another jumpout day coming up at work soon, and on my last post a few of you commented asked what exactly a jumpout is and where they sit in relating to races etc.
So I decided to write a post on it.
A jumpout is basically like a mini race.
After a racing event, the barriers/gates are left at the track for people to use in jumpouts the following day or Monday.

It's not really about winning or losing but of course you always aim for the win!!
In a jumpout there will be 4-8 horses, although averagely most of them have 6 in.
The gates are moved to different distances on the track, the same as a regular race day depending on the distance that particular heat is running.
Jumpouts are a prep for racing.

Up and coming young ones do jumpouts to teach them how to jump from the gates and to get them used to the racing environment with other horses and all that.

They are for trainers, owners and riders to see the horses potential, running times, mindsets and favoured conditions.

They are also to assess a horse coming back in after a spell to gage their fitness levels and to see how close they are to be ready for the real thing.

Of course the aim isn't to win but the riders are always competitive and it shows the drive and heart of the horse.

The will to win has to be there, otherwise the horse probably won't make a top racehorse no matter how fast it is.

Regional champs with Spud.

Firstly I'm just going to brag about my pony. Spud is a freaking legend!!  The whole weekend he tried his heart out and didn't put a foot wrong. (asides from one lil moment in one race). He was literally perfect. I couldn't  have asked for more.

He was a champion!! I had so many people comment on how fast we was and how he was such a cutie and a trier. 

Even had a few offers from people wanting to buy him.

I honestly have so much love for this little dude it's unbelievable.  

Our team came 4 th all up. We were up against some of the best in New Zealand. 

Spud kept up with the fastest ponies easily. 

So dam proud of him guys. 

He was also proud of himself!!

Big weekend

This weekend is a big weekend for Spud. We are competing at mounted games regional champs!!

Last night we trucked himto the show grounds and settled him for the night!

While we were waiting for our ride he decided to share my drink. 

Wish us luck!! 

Jumpout day. Facing your fears.

Today was jumpout day!!
For some reason I was really nervous beforehand. There's so many things that could go wrong and if it did, I would get seriously hurt. Going the speeds we do, a fall is never going to end well.
This has NEVER bothered me before.
But for some reason today I was scared. To the point where I was shaking.
Being scared never stops me though and the few times that I do get scared or nervous, I can channel it and use it to focus more.

However as soon as I got legged on, I felt comfortable and relaxed and back to normal and all went well.
I was on one of my favourites Silver Lady.
She jumped out of the gates well and I stayed with her and we had a really good run.
I can't stop saying how amazing and exhilarating riding at full racehorse gallop feels.
Here are a few photos!! I'm wearing the blue vest on the inside.

Today's rides.

Since 90% of my riding is for my job,  I decided to do a recap of all my rides for that day once or twice a week.
So here are my 13 rides for today... Somedays I ride more, other days less.
Spud:

Spud was super cool today!!  He was my last ride for the day after work, I was pretty exhausted by this point. Although I'm pretty exhausted at the end of every day to be honest but that's just how it is. We went for a trot down the road and through the bush to the massive soccer fields and did some fitness galloping round them all and then we walked home to cool him off. He's a good pony!

Silver Lady:

On a day when we are doing pace work she's always my easiest ride of the morning. Today we were babysitting, riding in a pair with a slightly crazy young one. As usual I had my reins long, and she just cruised round. 

You'll Do Me:

This guys big, black, solid and handsome. He's also very strong and can pull so hard he's almost impossible to hold. 

You just gotta relax, get your hold, and basically push your hands into his neck and don't move at all. Any shift of the weight or your hands will probably make him bolt. It's taken me awhile but I've figured out how to ride him and I organise myself early so that when we take off he's nice and relaxed and doesn't pull. 

Pins:

Pins is just a baby so she doesn't have a race name yet. She's had a baby prep and a jumpout then she was turned out for ages. I rode her for her first time back in with two other babies. She was nice and relaxed and went round nicely.

Brilliance:

This guys a big cutie. He's another horse I have a soft spot for. He's also just come in from a spell and I rode him for his first time back round the track. Was a tad bit scary as he was pulling a lot and his mate who was galloping round in a pair with us was running into the rails almost flipping him and his rider over and jumping around. Brilliance was good asides from one random leap, but he held himself together and he was pretty keen and pulling but it was easy to bring him back and he was working nicely by the end of his second round.  

What Now My Love:

This mare is a little different, walking to and from the track she has her head way up in the air, jig-jogging and jumping around. Once out there she will completely relax and gallop her two rounds nicely. Sometimes she can get quite keen and pull but she was working on her own today and I was able to have my reins loose and she cruised around quietly. 

Ondebuet:

One of my favourite mares!! She wasn't the easiest ride today though, she pulled the whole time and my arms and legs were aching by the end of the ride. 

Marsbars:

This little black mare is full of spunk and super cheeky. She may be little but she is really fast. Unfortunately she was a little bit muscle sore today, and was struggling so it was a very quiet gallop round. 

Art Deco:

My absolute favourite!! She's so pretty.

She was pretty fresh today and was jumping around a lot on her way onto the track. I almost fell off when she did a big jump sideways but she worked really nicely, felt very forward and free, but she was relaxed and didn't pull. 

Tellyawhat :

Believe it or not he's actually a grey!! This fella is another horse you have to sit super quiet on. But he was very good and relaxed today. A year or so back he had a reputation for bolting, but he's calmed down a lot and works nicely most days. 

Bertha:

 

Definitely not your typical TB. This mare is an absolute giant. Not only in height but shes such big boned as well. She's also really quiet and lazy so it was a bit of a workout to keep her moving forward and pace work speed. 

Ifrajj: 

Such a dude this man!! Unfortunately his race name is too hard to pronounce let alone spell. This guy is always happy and keen to work. He gives you such a good feeling. He can pull but when you push your hands down into his neck to remind him to come back he relaxes and comes back again. 

Often:

This mare can be a hot head, but today she worked forward, free and fast but stayed soft and relaxed.