The Incredible Week

     The cold has begain to set in and although thanks giving has yet to come you know winter and the christmas shoping is apon us when Starbucks starts advertising their winter coffees (egg nogg, gingerbread, peppermint latte, etc.) during the Christmas season.  Although you can ask for these specialty drinks out of season, it's just not the same sitting down during the summer with a gingerbread latte.. I usually save those special occasions for the winter or on a cold night like tonight which is my BLOG night!! I love Monday blog night!  Maybe i should be paid by Starbucks since I'm advertising them so much ;).

Now on to the the news and updates.

We started last week off with a field trip to Churchhill Downs.  We went on the back side and had the privilege to meet and take pictures with some of the top well-known trainers: D. Wayne Lukas, Larry Jones, Todd Pletcher, Steve Asmussen, and William "Jinx" Finch. It was great getting to talk with these incredible trainers who have accomplished all sorts of records in the racing industry. As an upcoming jockey, I was star struck just being able to talk to them and would be honored to be able to race for some of them in the future.

    Today was my first week benchmark on a vegan diet. Surprisingly, I'm not struggling too hard, but I miss my meat and dairy.  I do feel better and healthier.  So by the end of my trial period, i may not become 100% vegan or vegetarian, but will more than likely eat less red meat and possibly switch out dairy milk for soy or cocunut. Soy vanilla flavored milk is surprisingly quite tasty, especially on Kashi cereal with some fresh cut up strawberries. For lunch, i eat either a salad, PBJ with organic peanut butter, or a BLT made with veggie bacon and whole grain bread.  My favorite sandwich so far is a veggie/soy bacon and turkey with lettuce, tomato, avocado, and mustard.  Yummy!  I sometimes throw in humus as well. Dinner is usually a stir fry of veggies and soy chicken, veggie chili, or a sandwich. For snacks and desserts I have pudding or ice cream  made with cocunut milk and  of course my weekly Starbucks coffee which I now get with soy milk:).  As a vegan, I stll have to watch what I eat, because there is still plenty of junk food that is considered acceptable on the diet . This week, I'm going to try to cook more of a variety, so my lunch and dinners aren't so much alike.  I also want to eliminate as much high fructose corn syrup as possible . If anyone has any great Vegan recipes, feel free to leave a comment.

   Like I mentioned in my previous blog, I was fortunate enough to obtain free Breeders Cup tickets :). Let me tell you, it was spectacular!  Churchill Downs was filled with an immense amount of energy.  Watching the high caliber fillies race was thoroughly enjoyable. I can't find any words to describe my emotions as I watched the lucky jockeys racing in the Breeders Cup and hoping that one day I would be able to participate in it. Few things are more exciting than racing for a 2 million dollar purse. It was a great day of hanging with friends and watching the races.

  My riding keeps improving every day. We are still galloping in the big pasture and I'm eagerly awaiting the day I get to ride in the public field:).  After Christmas break, we'll start taking the horses on the training track which will move me even closer in my journey to not only becoming a jockey but to racing in the Kentucky derby.

   This past week was pure excitement. Have a great week.  If you get the chance to make your way to Starbucks, pick up a holiday coffee and think of me and my blog and how you (my family, friends and followers) are all playing a huge role in getting me to the derby.
 
   would also like to thank my dad for proof reading and editing my blog. He is a big part in this blogging journey. Major props go to him.

Till next week! 

Jesse Sauder