The big day at York!

We were all so excited after Beverley but with just a week till York it was back to getting ready for our biggest race of the year, the Conditions Final at York! The Conditions series is new this year and it has been for ponies/riders that have not been placed in the finals for the last 2 years – it’s a great series because it gives more people a chance to get to a big final.

With just a week between races Paddy didn’t really need to do much work, but having been away the week before I wanted to make sure I was as fit as possible – ever since I started pony racing I have been getting help from jockey and Coach Brian Harding, he helps me with sessions on the equicizer. We work on my technique and fitness and it really does make a big difference and I am much fitter and stronger now thanks to his help.

As Sunday arrived, I started to feel nervous – we arrived at the stables and got Paddy settled in his box, then Dad and I went across to the weighing room. I hadn’t been to York before and when we came out from the stables and onto the track I was just amazed at how big   the racecourse is and the nerves just started to get worse! We all met up went for the course walk with Tim Reed and very soon it was time for the race.

Dad and I had talked through tactics etc., but it all went out of the window a bit because we didn’t really get the start we wanted so we settled in about 4^th place, as we came around the bend I had to go quite a bit wider than I had wanted but I didn’t want to get blocked in, about 2f out Paddy started running on well and we hit the front, he kept staying on really well and we won! It really was the best feeling ever!

Coming back into the paddock and the winners enclosure was all a bit of a dream, but one of the best things was that my big sister Beccy was there as well – she is moving to Australia next week for 2 years and because of her job as a nurse, she hasn’t been able to come racing before so it was really special that she was there. 

I would like to say a huge thank you to the Pony Racing Authority for putting on such a special day, everyone at York for looking after us so well and also to White Rose Saddlery for the lovely prizes. We took a picture of Paddy in his winner’s rug but didn’t realise until after he is being cheeky and poking his tongue out!

What a brilliant way to end the summer holidays, but back to school now…….

And on to Beverley

Following the excitement at Carlisle, the plan had been to run Paddy at Bangor then go away for our annual holiday to the North of Scotland. We were balloted out at Bangor though so back to the drawing board! We decided to cut short our holiday and hopefully run at Beverley instead (thanks mum and dad).

Being away for the week before the race isn’t an ideal preparation, but a good friend Liz Butterworth looked after Paddy for us and I think he enjoyed his holiday as much as we did. I would normally be riding out every day  so I was worried about keeping fit as well – luckily the holiday involved lots of walking up mountains which hopefully cancelled out all the food!

We arrived back from Scotland late on the Friday night so we collected Paddy early on Saturday morning and made our way over to Beverley, it was great to see him again! Mum usually plaits up before we leave, but because we had been away we didn’t have time and so for once we left him unplaited. We arrived at the same time as Roy Day who also travelled over from Cumbria – his pony looked fantastic and was the very deserving winner of the best turned out.

Thankfully, this time the saddle stayed in the right place and Paddy ran a brilliant race to finish 1^st by 6 lengths – I was so pleased with him as he always tries so hard! 

Thanks to everyone at Beverley Racecourse, the pony racing stewards and jockey coaches, it was a really great day!

Last week we also got our GCSE results, it has been quite difficult juggling riding and revising but thankfully my results were really good! I am going on to 6^th Form to do Geography, History, Biology and Philosophy – eventually I hope to go on and study Law at University and then specialise in Sports Law.

Next stop York for the Conditions Race finals! I can’t wait!