Strong - than there's jockey strong!

I decided to take a break from all of the calories I consume at Starbucks and go with the basic Pikes Place coffee with sugar-free vanilla syrup. Sometimes it’s good to refrain from all the sweets and calorie laden Starbucks indulgences and reconfirm that I do have control over my diet.

All week we have been training the horses for the High Hope Races which involve NARA graduates competing against each other. I trained Marble and Gus all week.  Not only did I keep them in shape but they without a doubt kept me in shape, too!  At times, it was hard to keep them at the correct speed and I was sore and tired at the end of each day.  Instead of breezing the horses on Friday, we had to breeze them on Saturday due to the poor weather conditions. Once again Chris had a surprise for us.  We would not only be breezing on the upper main track, but we would be doing it when other riders where out on the track. In the past, it had been only us on the track. It was a fantastic surprise and great fun riding with other exercise riders on the main track. It was a totally different feeling and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't believe all the progress I have made since August. I am extremely blest and grateful to be attending Nara.

If we had a phrase of the week, it would have been “Strong - than there's JOCKEY STRONG!” This past week has been extremely tough, not only physically but mentally. Between my online classes, NARA and work, there has been little room for sleep.  Although I am completely physically and mentally drained, I'm perfectly happy because this is what I want to do and know it is where I belong. My struggles appear minute when compared to a colleague of mine.  Her horse was out in front of mine when all of a sudden both of them crumpled into the ground with her horse almost falling on top of her. It was the scariest thing I've ever seen happen at NARA. My attention immediately focused off my ride and on to her to see if she was ok. Then all of a sudden my horse "propped" - stopped abruptly, and I was thrown off my mount but was able to hang on to the reins so he didn't run off. My colleague, without hesitation, got back up.  Holding her shoulder with one hand she ran back to the barn after her loose horse. I was very impressed with her quick action. Back at the barn, she begged to get back on her horse.  When she was told she should rest, she begged to ride her second horse in the next set. She was very determined to get back in the saddle. While we were out riding our second set she was still holding her shoulder but started doing some of the tasks around the barn. After the ride was over, she was forced against her will to go the doctor to get x-rays. It was there she found out that her collarbone was broken. It wasn't just a small fracture; it was so broken it required surgery with a plate and 7 screws! Her determination to continue despite her broken collarbone defines JOCKEY STRONG! Major props go out to my colleague for her dedication, hard work ethic and eagerness to ride even when she’s hurt. 

Hoping everyone is enjoying the summer weather! 

Jesse