I
don't really know how to begin, as I was so disappointed I didn't get
the chance to win the big prize of £60,000. I was pleased to manage to
get £1,000 for CRY - even though this required a certain amount
of negotiation!
The whole time I was training I was totally convinced - as was my trainer
- that I would be in the race. At the beginning of the training,
and the whole time, my thoughts were with Paul and Michelle constantly.
I was on a mission to do it for them.
My muscles ached so bad after the first training session that I couldn't
turn over in bed, but the next day I was up and out on my own horse
Howey.
My stirrups were pulled up short and I constantly practiced changing and
bridging my reins. As he is an ex-race horse he was wondering when
he was going to reach the gallops.
I borrowed a race saddle and headed off to the beach, so Howey could have
a good stretch. We galloped for about a mile - my backside in the
air and my hands low on his neck. It was a real union for us both
and we both had a great day.
Next
day it was back to the training yard - not quite as good as the beach
but I still enjoyed taking Chris' horses up the gallops. There was
usually about six of us, either in a string (one behind the other) or
upsides (two side-by-side). We all trotted down the gallops for
about a mile, and believe me, trotting in those short stirrups is not
easy on your legs!
As we approach the bottom we go into a steady canter, standing up in the
stirrups and leaning down so your looking between the horses ears - this
is when you get a rest. As we come to a sharp bend in the gallops,
the speed picks up a little and then we are on the straight stretch up
hill for a mile. I think the knack is to hold your horse just
enough so he is enjoying himself and wanting to go a little faster,
hopefully saving that for the races.
When we reach the top its time to take a pull and come back into trot.
This time its only half way down the gallops. We walk a little way
to get to the straight stretch again - this gives you time to pull up
the exercise sheet off the horses back so they don't get too hot - then
you're back on the gallops for half a mile. We came off the
gallops at the top and have a walk back to the yard.
Back at the yard you dismount; untack; then hose the horses legs down to
cool the tendons; then go to a huge sand pit so your horse can have a
well deserved roll. After you have brushed off all the sand the
horse goes back into the stable rugged up and fed hay, then its straight
onto the next one.
I
usually rode three horses a day, three times a week - also riding Howey
every day and training on a cross trainer in the evening. I was
pretty fit and ready to race. On the day before the assessment, Chris
told me not to worry. He said he was not a betting man but he
would have a bet on me going through to the race.
I'm pleased there were no bets. Everything went well at the
assessment, apart from the last horse. I was on Gayln and I was in
the front - and that is where I was going to stay! I tried to take
a pull, but these horses are trained to stay up front! Although I
kept control, he wouldn't slow down to let the others catch up.
Its a shame I was put on the horse that was known to do just that,
and I wasn't given an easy horse like some of the others were given -
and that is why I didn't get through to the last ten.
As I was on reserve, I had to carry on my training for 5 more days.
I went back to the yard, and everyone was gutted and couldn't believe I
didn't get in. All my training went great, my balance and position
were great - I even felt the horses were sorry. I didn't go back after
that day - it was awful. The next weekend was the race at Aintree.
Again it was a good day, but I did feel guilty as all my family and
friends had to book early to get there and I wasn't riding in the end.
They all said they had a good day anyway, and I wasn't that surprised
that £60,000 top prize eventually went to the injured jockeys fund.
Janine Patchcott
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