The Big Finals At Aintree!

The excitement has been building for the lead up to the big finals at Aintree!

When Paddy first arrived from Ireland, we had two main aims in mind – to hopefully win a race and to qualify for the finals at Aintree and it has been so exciting to have been able to do both!

The lead up to Musselburgh was quite hard work because of the quick ground, but now it is a bit of a struggle because it has suddenly got so dark in the mornings, so most of the work has to be done in the afternoon/evening – Paddy doesn’t seem to mind though, he has three things he loves most, working, eating and sleeping in that order!

However, having had 9 months where everything has gone smoothly and to plan, after having 2 easy weeks after Musselburgh, he got a bruised foot and we had to do all his work in the final week.

So as the big day nears we are all just very thankful that we are going to be able to take part, especially as so many family members were coming along to watch. When we arrived at Aintree I was not that nervous and just excited to be there! Tim Reed (who has been so helpful all year) is again on hand to take us all through the preparations and then all of a sudden it is time for the race.

I cannot begin to explain just what a thrill it was to be in the paddock at Aintree and to ride out through the tunnel and onto the track where so many amazing horses and jockeys have done the same in the past. The whole race went in a bit of a blur, Dad and I had planned our tactics again and we had decided to stay out quite wide and try and get a good position and not get boxed in (just like Frankie Dettori) – Paddy really tried as hard as he could, but he did get quite tired and of course I was a bit disappointed, but without an ideal preparation he ran as well as could have been expected.

It was the best experience of my life and I was so happy for the winners AJ O’Neill and Miss Wonderful and Sophie Smith and Push the Button.

I am very sad that this is my last time competing in Pony Racing, I have learned so much and had some wonderful experiences – not many people get to ride at Ascot, York and Aintree and it has been such an adventure. It’s such great preparation for the future and hopefully will set me up well to get my Category A license in February and get a few rides on the flat! A huge thanks to everyone at the Pony Racing Authority and Aintree Racecourse for such a special finale and also to Charles Owen for their sponsorship and support of Pony racing.

Next to Musselburgh!

This blog comes with apologies for having taken such time to write. My last blog ended with “but back to school now” and I must admit that Sixth Form has come as a bit of a shock to the system with a huge amount of extra work. I am taking Geography, Modern History and Philosophy, with a view to hopefully going on to study Law at University.

Paddy came out of the York race really well and for me I think that this was our best race yet – it took ages for the thrill to sink in. The plan was to have one further run this season at Musselburgh and then fingers crossed hopefully the final at Aintree. With three weeks between York and Musselburgh Paddy was able to have a quiet week before going back into proper work. This helped me get stuck in to my first week back at school.

It has been a bit harder work in the lead up to Musselburgh as we have had vey little rain and so the fields that we use here for working have got a bit too firm. This means boxing up Paddy all the time to take him to gallops but otherwise the preparation has been great.

Mum and I set off early for Musselburgh, not as early as some though who had been riding in Ireland the day before for the Shergar Cup! We went through all the usual preparations with Tim Reed before the race and it was soon time for the ponies to come into the paddock. Dad was a bit concerned about the quick ground as Paddy usually like it soft, I was more concerned about poor Paddy having to carry 11lbs extra.

The race went really well, Will Thirlby and Princess Propeller went off really quickly and we set off chasing after him, Paddy led into the straight but we were caught by Abbie McCain and Little Bull and were beaten ½ a length – we were thrilled to bits with the way Paddy tried, especially carrying all that weight. I was really happy for Abbie and Little Bull as like me, this is their last season and it has been great riding with her.

4 weeks to the big day – THE FINALS

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!