Friday, October 28, 2011

Breeders cup

     In honor of the upcoming Breeders Cup Races on Nov 4th and 5th, the University of Kentucky Horse Club held a discussion panel with Pat Day, "retired hall of fame jockey." It was very interesting listening to Mr. Day talk about riding in the Breeders Cups during his career.  These races are like a wrap up championship race for thoroughbreds where the elite of elites run.  The Breeders cup offers over 26 million in purse earnings over the two day event making it the richest day in sports after the Dubai World Cup. Because I was affiliated with NARA, I was privileged to receive free tickets to the Breeders Cup from the UK Horse Club.
     With the weather getting colder every day, riding has become more exciting. The horses are more active and want to play and run.  My hands and feet have also been getting cold and stiff which has thrown some loops into my riding but nothing too strenuous. 
        I'm adding a donation button to my blog for those of you who would like to donate to my once a week Starbucks outings where I do my blogging.  Don't feel obligated,  but if you would like to donate that would be awesome.

Till next time,

Jesse

Monday, October 17, 2011

Keeneland with Mr. McCarron

This past Friday, was College Day at Keenelend Race Track. It is a day where college students get in free and have a chance to win $1,000 scholarships and other prizes that are raffled off after every race. I was lucky enough to win, but not lucky enough to win the scholarship. I ended up with an elegant Vineyard Vines custom Keeneland tie.  It is now the most expensive piece of clothing I own.
      When the other jockey students and I arrived at Keenelend, we met Chris McCarron outside of the Jocks Room. It was awesome to watch all the people who came up to talk to him.   Whenever Chris spotted someone in the crowd he wanted us to meet, he would call them over to talk to us.  We even got to visit with Jean Cruguet,who won triple crown on Seattle Slew.  We then went to the paddock where only the jockeys, trainers and owners are allowed and watched the jockeys as they were thrown up on their mounts for the first race. We then walked over to the winners circle and watched the race from there. It was an awesome opportunity most  fans never get to witness. After the race was over, Chris took us up to the Jocks Room where we had  the pleasure of meeting and talking with two NARA graduates, as well as with Calvin Borel and Edgar Prado, the jockey who took Barbero to the Winners Circle in the 2006 Kentucky Derby.  After the tour of the Jocks Room we were escorted to the starting gate where we could actually watch the horses break from the gate. We then went back to the Paddocks where we were able to talk with retired jockey, Gary Stevens. Chris McCarron can practically go anywhere at Keeneland and be granted access with open arms. Our trip to Keeneland with Mr. McCacron was a rare opportunity and will never be forgotten.



NARA with retired jockey Gary Stevens 


NARA in front of the keeneland starting gate 



Have a great week 

Friday, October 14, 2011

Light BULB

    This past week was my greatest week at NARA. On Wednesday, everything all of a sudden clicked. My hand position, balance, and stance all came together. It was one of the greatest feelings ever!  Since Wednesday, I've been improving every day. My riding doesn't only feel better, but I can control the horses with a very soft touch. The only way I can describe how I felt is to use the words from the movie Despicable Me "Light Bulb!"

      This past Friday, Keeneland opened.  It was great to hang out at the track with the other race enthusiasts. It was an awesome scene as the horses made the last turn and came flying down the stretch towards the wire to thunderous screams and applause.  Electricity filled the air and made me so pumped up to be a jockey.....to think that I'll be out there racing one day! I'm not only blessed to be alive, but blessed to be a part of such a fantastic sport.

        My friend, Tim  Holahan, is professional  photographer who takes pictures of horse races and other equine events. http://www.timholahanphotography.com/ He has one picture in particular on his website that you all should check out. It is one, if not the greatest picture of Mike Smith and Zenyatta in action, going for the win.

Have a great week,

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The beginning of fall

With the coming of fall, I have experienced the great, the bad, and the little things that matter.

     I am updating my blog from Starbucks where I am enjoying a pumpkin spice latte. Yes, I know you can purchase it during the off season, but it isn't the same as when you sip on the pumpkin spice latte and feel the cool temperatures and see the orange and yellow leaves.... I'm going to start off my blog with the bad so we can end on a positive happy note :).

      Monday was the worst ride I have ever had. I couldn't do anything right. It was not only frustrating, but discouraging.  It felt like I was learning how to walk all over again. What made me the most upset with myself was that I had really improved last week only to hit the brick wall on Monday and totally fail at the riding portion of the class. The beginning of the ride started off great.  I was in a superb mood and had my horse tacked and ready 15 minutes ahead of schedule. As we headed off to the field, everything was going fine. The trouble began when we entered the small sectioned-off portion of the field to start our ride. When Chris asked us to trot, it was like I forgot everything. My feet were too far forward.  I was humped over like a turtle.  I couldn't post if my life depended on it. When Chris asked me to go from a trot to a canter, I couldn't shorten my hold  (move my hands up the reigns very slowly and smoothly).   My hands looked like they were on a caffeine high.  They where going everywhere.  When I finally did shorten my hold and took the 2 point stance, I couldn't maintain my balance and confused the heck out of the horse. After the ride, all I wanted to do was hide in a corner. I wasn't mad at the horse, or at Chris for getting upset at me. I was annoyed with myself because I couldn't effectively complete my tasks. After the class was over I went to the NARA exerciser room and worked on my technique. 

   Last week,  I tried to focus on the little things that matter. My basketball coach always told our team that no matter how good we were as an individual, if we couldn't complete the simple tasks of boxing out, hustling, or diving on the floor after loose balls, he would take us out of the game. Chris told me the same thing last week. If your tack isn't on properly, the keepers aren't in their place, the saddle is too far back or too far forward, or the reins are twisted, everything else will fall apart. It is the little details that not only prevent accidents, but make it possible to ride. Chris said if you can't remember the little tasks, later on down the road  you will struggle because the learning only gets harder.

         After the bad news and the lesson of the week, it is time for the Best News ever. The dragon lady, "Jezebel," has vanished from her lair. She can no longer tear me down and keep me from my dreams. Last Friday she was banished from Area. I am now happier, much more excited to wake up in the morning, and able to ride in peace.

     From the Starbucks coffee shop, have a great week and pick up a pumpkin spice latte when you can.  It is a great treat this time of year :)