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Jockey Diary: 2008 Pony Racing Camp
Pony Racing Camp at The British Racing School by Evie Hampson
Twelve of us aged 11 to 15 arrived on Tuesday the 26th August. We quickly got to know each other, and the instructors, before heading out to the new barn where our ponies were already settled.
After being split into two groups of 6 we were taught about feeds and our riding was assessed in the indoor school. That evening we had our first quiz of many, and got to know each other even better. Afterwards everyone was very tired and went, unprompted, to bed at nine o'clock!
On Wednesday we all woke at seven, ready to muck out our ponies, though some proved much more difficult than others! After breakfast we dressed in our smart trousers and clean red t-shirts for a tour of Newmarket. We visited the Warren Hill gallops and Sir Mark Prescott's yard. Sir Mark Prescott was very interesting. He explained the things he does and why he does them really clearly and we all learned a lot from him. That afternoon we pulled, in our groups, onto the round canter and the paddock. At first the ponies were all very excited but soon calmed down. We had our radio ear pieces in for the first time, so Jackie or Nici could teach us as we went round. After riding we had a go on the equisisers and watched the video review of our ride. That evening we had a quiz on putting names to faces and were told about two jockeys who would be joining us for gymkhana the following day, Jamie Moore and William Kennedy. We were all really excited, but still very tired, and went to bed quite early again.
After mucking out our ponies and having breakfast we visited Tattersalls and the Rowley Mile racecourse. At the Rowley Mile racecourse we saw Sheik Mohammed's private boxes and queen's royal box, some of us even sat on her royal throne!!
This time we warmed up in the paddock and the round canter before heading out to the straight gallop. For many of us it was the first time we had ever been on the straight gallop and we were very excited. Some ponies, who seemed to be tired already went down in pairs, and others on their own. Whilst we were having lunch, our jockeys arrived. Mounted games was really fun. Both Will and Jamie were really friendly and enjoyed riding the ponies, even the more difficult ones! In the end the red team won (yay) but everyone had had an excellent evening.
Will and Jamie stayed the night and on Friday we were divided into four groups of three for plaiting, saddling for a race, preparing for paddock and simulator training with one of the jockeys.
That afternoon we went on the straight gallop alongside the jockeys. This was probably my favourite rides of the week. I went down alongside Jamie and he told me how to make my pony go better, which was really helpful. Being our last night at Newmarket we stayed up later than usual and watched Seabiscuit.
We vacated the rooms and prepared our ponies for tack and turnout before our parents arrived to watch us "perform".
We went down the straight gallop alongside the minibus with our parents inside so they could see the progress that we had made during the week. At the end there were presentations where certificated and prizes were handed out.
It was sad for all of us to leave after the amazing week we had just had, but it has inspired us all to get involved in more pony races. We all said that we would like to come back next year, and I am sure many of us would like to come back for further courses.
So thanks again to Gemma, Jackie, Nici, Sarah, Amee, Jackie and Rachael.