The first week!

On Monday (8/15), I began my life as a jockey student.  I started my day by moving into The Courtyards.  My apartment location couldn't be any better!  It is right next to the pool, volleyball court, and tennis court. Overall it's a decent pad.  I then switched my IL license to a KY one and registered my car in Kentucky. It was one long packed day. Monday night one of the students was kind enough to have all of us other students over to her home to get to know each other and eat some awesome Chinese food. We even ended up doing a crazy but fun stick horse race.
Tuesday we had orientation where we learned more about what was going to happen over the next 2 years and what we were to expect. We also purchased our safety vests and riding helmets.
Class begins at 7:00; so, that means waking up at 5:30, 5 days a week. I try to get there at 6:30  to muck the stalls and prepare for the day. This is definitely not for a person who wants a normal college experience of sleeping in and going to class late. Only the ones that are determined and have a passion for being a jockey would be sane enough to do this.
Wednesday was the first day of class. Mr. McCarron showed us what the day to day grind would be like and the basics of grooming and tacking up the horses. Although I have ridden horses for 4 years, Western style is totally different than racing. The two can't even be compared. Thursday and Friday we did pretty much the same thing as we did on Wednesday.

Today we began riding. Although it was only at a walk it was great to get the feel of the saddle and to work on the technique.  This is the greatest experience of my life. It's been a great week of chilling with my roommates and other jockey students. It has only been one week and I still can't believe I get to enjoy this for two years.

All packed up and ready to go!

I purchased a new car recently. Since I was having a hard time parting with my old miata, I bought a 2001 miata :). I love this car so much and didn't want anything else. To insure my safety, I bought a roll bar and had it installed :). I encourage any one with a soft top to do this. Since my accident, I have come to the conclusion that it is necessary to have a roll bar with any soft top car.

  

 I currently have everything I own (i.e., my clothes, tv, gaming equipment and everything else I'll be using down at college) in boxes. It's sort of weird having all your life possessions packed in boxes ready to leave the home you have lived in for the past 10 years. Roanoke has been my home for the past 18 years and I'll definitely miss some parts of it, but I'm looking forward to my new life in Kentucky.

In less than 23 hours I'll be heading off to Kentucky to pursue my dream and life long goal :)