Home!!I

Hello guys- I'm back safe and sound!! I'm very tired! I haven't really slept since Tuesday night! I snoozed for a bit on the plane. I arrived back at 5.15am on the 2nd August and went back to my house to drop my bags off and jumped in the car and drove to Wales!! I couldn't wait to see my family and friends! I wasn't able to sleep much last night either! Hopefully I will tonight! I'm in bridgend at the moment! I'll head home tomorrow to sort my things out before i back to work for the tizzards on Monday!
I've had a great experience over in oz- I wouldn't change a thing about it! I think I've become more independent and Ive seen some of the world and it was great that I could do it with horses!  I've learnt and seen a lot at Moody's!  I'll never forget this trip!
I can remember crying the first weekend in oz, was tired and missing home! But after two weeks I was away- enjoying and learning! Three months went so quick, it would of been great if I could of stayed out there for a year! I didn't really want to come home!! But I'm exited to go back to work for Colin, he's a great man and a great trainer! Hopefully we can beat the record of winners this season! We are getting better each year! I can't wait to see all the new ones he's bought!
Thank you for all your support !
One thing I would really recommend, if your interested in traveling , go to Australia!! It's  a great country! I can see why people  move away and live there! I would love too!

My last few days!!

Hello people, I'm sorry I've been a while updating this! I've finished work at Moody's now!! I've had the best time ever here and I'm gutted to have to go home! I've learnt and seen so much! I'm not sure where the time has gone! The three months have flown by!! It's Monday morning and I'm just at home sorting my stuff out! I'm going out for a meal tonight with a few from work! I flew up to cairns on the weekend for a few days and went swimming on the great barrier reef- it was unreal! Loved it!! I've got lovely pictures! It was very very hot! I burnt on the first day! I was nice going alone and just relax! I stayed in a hostel and met loads af great people! I will right a big report once in back home! Thanx!

Winner winner chicken dinner!

Hello people! It's 4.15 and I'm home after a long day! Got picked up to go to work this morning at 3.05!! Early! But I had a new job this morning- I had to go into every stable and check if the horses had eaten and drunk! Then take their feed bins and water buckets out - I had to then go back to each horse that hadn't eaten up last nights feed and take their temperature !! one of the horses that hadn't eaten up was our winner today!! Della- he's temperature was fine and she went and won easily! Obviously didn't stop here. Soon as I finished doing that I went and mucked out a few and helped the guys on the yard! 6.45 I went home for a shower and change into my racing clothes! We went racing with molonys truck today. They had one in the same race as ours! The first race 11.30! It was good going racinig with another trainer, just to listen to what his opinions were on a few things! He was asking me about what I thought of Australia and what I do back home! We got there at 10.20am- gave us time to unload and take the colours to the weighing room and give her a brush over! By that time Pete was there ready to saddle! In three months today was the first time I've been racing when peters been there. Strange! I spent some time with him, was listening to the instruction he gave Luke! The word around the track was that there was a fancied one in the race but team moody went and won, she won well! Great result! Pete had been to see black caviars full brother before coming racing!! He's only a baby!! Could be intresting in time!! We left the races at around 1.20 after the 4th race! It took an hour and 45 min to come home!! Early night tonight!

16 + 17th of July

Hey guys- Monday 16th I just worked the morning. 3.30-9.30! Nothing exiting happend today. Just the normal routine! The only difference was that we had to move 13 horses out of one over flow yard into a new barn moody now rents! It was finished yesterday- bedding, water buckets ect!! But before I left at 9.30 I had to put all the new bridles together!! 13 new bits, head pieces, rains and chiffney bits! They had 13 new rugs too. they ad to go over to the new barn ready for tomorrow!! Wev now got main barn, a,b,c barn. They all get treated the same. Same feed, work, swim, sand roll but the same staff stay in their selected barns! This afternoon I went to the city and went up the tallest tower in melbourne- eureka tower!! It was a lovely day and I could see for miles! Brilliant views!! No runners today! 17th July! Tuesday morning means work morning and the trials!! 47 horses working and 20 horses in the trails!! Busy busy!! I went up the tower with Pete after mucking out and going from main barn to a b and c to check everything was ok! One horse couldn't go out this morning because he had hit his head on the door or somewhere in his box and cut his pole quite bad!! He was one to put on the vet list at 4am this morning!! I didn't get to talk to moody much this morning because he and Jeff were flat out clocking horses! Horses going everywhere! Some were working on the grass this morning but the reverse way to try and keep the track in better condition for the next meeting, meaning they didn't sprint on the home straight! They only hacked cantered on that part! The trials went well this morning- one or two finished in good times but a few were sacked ( as moody would say). Means they will be in the field by tomorrow morning! No room for bad ones he said!! Out!!! We had a filly that bled this morning out of her right nostril! The stuard came and had a look and told moody to get the vet to it and let him know what the vet said! The stuards come up every trial to check their papers ( passports) and to pass any horse that needs a barrier certificate if they behave at the barriers !! If they play up they won't be able to race! They they play up at the races they have to come back to the trials to get another barrier certificate! Good system! I heard moody on the phone to Tom and Donna a few times telling them to put a few down on the vets list to get injected or to trot up and few to scope!! When I got back I held the horse for the vet that needed scoping that bled after the trial! She hadn't bled from the lungs which was a good result!! Just bled from the nose! Right time to read my book before I go back to swim some horses!!

Questioning moody!:-)

Hello people ! It's Friday the 13th and it's been a good day so far. I went in at 3.30 and mucked a few out before going with the boss up the tower! Quiet day really as for working the horse. We had a few going quicker but majority of them only doing slow work. I don't normally go up to the tower on a Friday but I thought its a quiet day to question mr moody:-)! I like asking things! It was nice having time to talk to him. he told me a few things that he though others should of done to try and improve their skills! He said when he was working under someone he use to do lot of different things to try and improve his skills and to learn as much as he can! He said he's always had a passion for training horses, always wanted to be champion. in all the years he's been training he's always done the work sheet- he always knows what every horse is doing. And even when his father died and on his wedding day he work. He also said he's only had one or two days off- and that was last month when I was here! He must of been very ill. He's the first trainer up that tower every morning with out a doubt !! Whilst everyone else is fast asleep probably ! He always looks out for his horses only. He concentrates on his ...not like a lot of others up the tower!! Katie my friend from Adelaide has come over this morning with her horse, she runs here tomorrow! Peter use to train her himself but she wasn't good enough for what he wanted so he gave here to Phillip stokes! I questioned Pete about a horse called 'Ben' a big grey colt. I asked where he'd gone, I noticed he wasn't in his box. He said he wasn't very good so he bought him off the owners and sent him up the bush to be trained by one of his friends!! Pete was originally from that area and he wanted to support them. he said funny you asked about him because he won last weekend. Great result! I told Pete that he should come to England to train...he smiled and said ' only if I trained for an owner!!!' I asked Pete if I could go and see nelly and the grey colt that's come back from England- he said there is no point because I wouldn't be able to go in. That's a shame but hopefully I'll see nelly when she comes back in two weeks! Nearly time for me to go home. There's a few things I'd like to do before I go. I started yesterday, I went into the city and found the museum. Phar lap the great race horse is in there!! It was great seeing him and reading up on him!! In his 4 years on the track phar lap won 37 of the 51 races in which he started! Including 14 in a row in 1930-1931! He's the only horse to have been favourite for the Melbourne cup three years in a row. Since the mounted specimen was donated to the museum of Victoria in 1933, phar lap has been the museums most popular exhibit. Amazing animal!! I then went and booked a few day trips: to the great ocean road! The great ocean road is one of the worlds most beautiful and naturally maintained secrets! Bells beach is one of Australia's famous surfing beaches. World renowned for the rip curl surfing pro! I might go on a helicopter flight over the 12 apostles! I can't wait! I also booked a day trip to the Phillip island penguin parade ! I need to go to the aquarium and to the old Melbourne gaol! I'm very exited! But the time is ticking I need to hurry on!! Right I must go back to work- I'm going to see a water treadmill this afternoon!

11/7/2012

Hey guys, it's 10.30 and I'm just at home eating breakfast! Wet day today, not very nice but at least it's not cold! Tuesday I went up the tower with Jeff and Peter for the trials and 41 horses were working, they all had to be clocked! We also had 9 in the trials . Good morning everything went accordingly to plan!we got gone at 9.30! No runners yesterday nor today! Black caviar is back today! But she has to be in a different yard for two weeks before coming back into caulfield!! This morning I stayed in the yard, took horses walking, swimming ect! Was busy enough, then at 6.30 I went with the chiropractor to treat few horses. He had 40 to do today, he said he might not treat them all today! I find it very intresting! Peter said the chiropractor is my secret to training!! He obviously thinks alot of mick!! Every horse gets treated once a months but if they need more than one treatment they do. They all get treated before they go out for a break and if they got any problems, it needs fixing before going out so they come back in in good order! Mick would give a list to the vet to check over if it's something serious or unless it's a vets job! He was telling me that he treated a few in England whilst he was over with black caviar! He treated the queens horse and another one too that ran in ascot- it also won!! I saw him crack a few this morning and he explained a few things and showed me different things! He told me he likes the idea of putting mud on the horses legs everyday, keeps their legs cold and draws bruising and swellings! Expensive job though!!:-/ He treated a horse that's running tomorrow that's broken his whither! I got a picture of it, it will be on Facebook. I'm not sure when he broke it, long time ago but mick said he's not come across a horse that has a broken whither and it's affected him, he said It doesn't make a difference! Intresting I thought it would! It might over jumps! I spent a few hours with him and then back to the yard to hold a few for the vet! Another intresting half an hour! Learnt a few things this morning!! But I won't say to much....inside information! Ha ha! We finished at 9.30! I might be strapping a horse for Phillip stokes on Saturday, it's coming over and running in caulfield ! Chat soon guys! The clock is ticking- not long infill im coming home!!

200 winners for mr moody and his team!

Good day in the office for the moody camp! 200 winners this season! We had one winner in Adelaide for moody and the other one was third! Phillips horses ran ok but didn't finish in the first 5! On Saturday I strapped for Peter, I was being picked up from the stables at 10.30. So I got her ready, groomed her and off we went. 5 min trip up to the course where I took smack for a walk and a pee and then I tied her up till Phillip brought the saddle! I sat with her for that time! This was her first ever race, she was very well behaved to be fair to her. All of mr Moody's are well behaved at the races! She finished third. Ran ok but I think everyone thought she would win!! Soon after she had cooled down the truck driver took me back to the yard!i went into the house and watched the racing from all over the country! Late Sunday night I flew back into Melbourne! Had to get a bus.....but the bus broke down then we got onto another bus into the city! Had to wait a good while to get a train and then I had to change...then I got into caulfield and got a taxi back to the house!! Needed my bed by then! Relaxing day today before going back to Moody's tomorrow!

strapping for mr moody!

morning, its 7.20 and im in the office after a mornings work.  4am start this morning.  my job this morning was to take care of peter moodys two runners.  they came over yesterday by transport.  it took them 9 hours to get here.  they run here today! i had to change theyr rugs and walk them up the the tie ups and tack them up.  phill rode one and a jokey rode the other. they only trotted today just to stretch their legs. i took them for a roll and gave them a bath.  dried them off, woolen back on and took them home for their breakfast! i took the same horse to the water walker and swam a few and tacked a few up! the same system.
im strapping one horse for peter today, a 2 year old thats not raced! smack we call him at home! im not sure of his racing name!
i didnt make it to work yesterday, i wasnt well.  i was in bed for 24 hours.  not like me! i felt bad for not working but i couldnt! katie took me to get some dinner last night. i felt lot better this morning!
im flying home tomorow night back to melbourne.  ive really enjoyed my time over with phillip, hes a great person and a hard worker and i wish him well. might never see him again, but im sure ill keep my eye on his runners. 
peter has 8/9 runners at flemington today and 2 here in morphettville and im not sure if hes got anymore.  busy busy busy!
if i can ill report back tomorow before i leave to let you know the results from today, phillip has 2 runners here today, both in the same race.

thursday 5th of july!

hello.
its 8am and in the office the last two horses are out now then we are done for the day. katie and i are off this afternoon which is great.  we are going to make a day of it and go somewhere!
sorry i had to go yesterday without finishing my blog but we had to go home and get ready to go to the races. we took one horse to murry bridge.  its only an hour or so away, which was good.  the horse didnt run as well as she was expected, but she pulled up sore so we took her to the farm on the way home so she could have a break.  we picked a yearing up from the farm and brought it back to phillips stable.
we came home around 6.30pm.. when we got back we had to unload the truck with all the racing gear, wash the boots ,bridle (not leather) and the blinkers and take the colours to the guy that lives near the yard to wash and then we could go home. i was very tired so i went to my room to read my book and fell asleep early.
murry bridge was an ok track, nothing special. i think ive been spoilt over in england and all these city tracks ive been going to over in melbourne.
this morning i went in at 3.30 and mucked a few out and then i changed 5/6 rugs from their night rugs into their woolen ones ready to go on the walker and then down to the track. they all go the walker for 10 min before going down the track!
i didnt ride today again because i havent got any gear and im not going to ride in gear thats too big or too small for me, i just wouldnt feel happy.  so instead i swam few horses, i took a horse to the water walker for 15 min. i find it intresting. our horse was on there for 15 min.  its 1m30 deep and its 44meters round it can take up to 6 horses. it has 3/4 different filters which the water goes through every 3 hours to keep it clean.
it can go as fast as 12kmph.  but our lad was only going slow because he hasnt long come back in from an op. he walked 1320 meters in the water this morning.
i think phillip has a great team of people working for him even though its only a small team, all the guys knows what to do and they all just get on with it.  phillip himself works really hard.
first thing in the morning all the horses has a scoop of oats in their feed bowls and then they have their full breakfast when they come back from the tack after being on the walker for 15 min.
i like the idea of the putting the saddles back on top of their woolen rugs to walk back to the yard. it saves us carrying them! lazy i know!
i also went and stood in the tower, its nothing like the tower over in caulfield. no one uses it much i dont think. they do have two tvs and all the paper work they need like thr runners on sat/sun and the trials were also up for tomorow!
phillip did have one tie up this morning, she was sore! this will explain it:
Exertional Rhabdomyolysis, Tying-up, Azoturia, Monday Morning Sickness and Poly Saccharide Storage Myopathy are all names of common muscle metabolism problems. The scientific name for Tying up is rhabdomyolysis, which simply translated means muscle (rhabdo) breakdown (lysis). The causes are several but the result is the same, muscle cramping. In this condition there is massive contraction of the muscle groups along the back and rump of the horse. The muscles contract and do not relax. The horse will appear to be nailed to the floor in the back end while seemingly being able to move the front end without any problems. They will appear to be in significant pain. When you press your hands along the muscles on either side of the spine, they feel rock hard. The horse's temperature may elevate up to 40 or 40.5 degrees. If the cramping is severe enough then the myoglobin released from the damaged muscle goes from blood to kidneys and into the urine, turning the urine a dark red colour. Eventually this can cause severe problems with the kidneys. Most cases of Tying up are not that severe and usually present in a horse that has been off for several days and is then exercised aggressively. In the middle of the ride (or sometimes right at the end) the horse's stride shortens and he cramps up.
Muscle disorders are a frequent cause of poor performance in horses and 'Tying up' is the most common syndrome. It is often mistakenly assumed that any horse with muscle pain or cramping after exercise has 'tied-up', and because of this there is a lot of confusion and controversy around the diagnosis, causes and management of affected horses. However, although a number of different muscle conditions produce the same signs, there are basically two types of true 'Tying-up': Acute and Chronic.

Signs of Tying up
The signs of tying up vary with the severity of the condition and the speed of onset. In mild cases, the horse's gait gradually stiffens and he becomes reluctant to move. The muscles are actually cramping and feel very much to the horse like muscle cramps do to human athletes. The large, heavy muscles of the hind legs are most often affected, but the triceps muscles above the elbow of the front legs may also appear stiff and painful.
The horse often begins sweating profusely, his heart and respiratory rate may also increase dramatically. The affected horse may appear to be colicing, but the major difference is that in horses that are tying up, the large muscle of the hind legs will be firm or very hard and the horse will paw the ground or attempt to lie down.
In extreme cases of tying up, the large muscles of the hind legs may actually appear to bulge. If there is enough muscle damage, the horse's urine will turn a dark, reddish-brown colour as the damaged muscle fibres release myoglobin, which then passes in the urine.
Horses that tie up usually have a recurring problem, associated with a specific set of circumstances. When horses worked for a living, a common problem was "Monday morning's disease." This problem occurred when horses, which were working all week, did not have their grain cut back while resting over the weekend. Some horses tie up when they become excited, at a show, breeding, or travelling. Other horses develop the problem when exercised. Occasionally you run into the horse that ties up for no reason you can detect.
Moderate to severe cases are not hard to diagnose. The stiffness in the rear limbs and hard painful muscles are easily seen. But mild cases may present as decreased performance or a vague lameness originating in the back or hind end. In cases of possible tying up the diagnosis can be confirmed with blood tests for increase levels of muscle enzymes.
oviously a few things will change now for that mare, feed, swim first and they wasy shes trained.
the vet comes in everyday here the same as moodys, to see a few trot up or check a few like the mare that tied up this morning.
monday,tuesdays and thursdays are busy. tuesday and friday are galloping days, with trials on friday too. wednesday are quiet because most of the ones that galloped would go off the pony just like moodys. thursdays are busy too because everything gets riden again.  but i didn notice that there were two jockeys in this morning helping riding a few.
right i best go and help katie do a few things around the yard before we go out for the day!
hope your enjoying my blogs.  pics will b on facebook as soon as i can
cat

s

working for phillip stokes!

hey guys, its wednesday 4th july and im just in phillips office!
tuesay morning i got up at 6 am to get ready to catch my flight from perth to adelaide.  the flight was good.  i got to adelaide around 1.30 their time.  its really strange how the clock seems to change all the time!! my body clock is all over the place.  perth is two hours behind melbourne and adelaide is an hour and half infront of perth! ill get there in the end! 
katie my friend from ireland picked me up from the airport and took me back to the stable to meet the team.  i hadnt planned this very well because i was already on my way to perth when peter moody rang to say i should go to phillips for a few days so i didnt have any of my work gear with me.  i only hand hand luggage!! not ideal!
so i came back to the yard in my boots, skirt and a jumper!! not the best look in the world to be working with horses!
katie ran next door to get some trianers from her friend so i could swim horses. ha ha! so there i was in some old trainers and a skirt with a high vis jacket! looking the part i must say!
its only a small team here compared to moodys yard.  25 in training and handfull of staff.  phillip and his wife would work on the yard full time, mucking out and riding ect.  katie would be full time. theres two lads that work mornings only with another girl thats in uni but comes in weekends and holidays.
katie and phillip would ride maybe 10 horses each morning.
its similar system to moodys really, where they swim everything after work and they have a sand roll, they go off the pony day before they race and the day after and the day after they gallop!  they dont get tied up in the stable to get mucked out.
3.30 wednesday morning i started work, im staying in a house on the yard which is great! i went in and mucked out.  they dont have bins nor wheel barrows but they do have buckets which they empty in the skip! i mucked out 5/6 whilst phillip put few horses on the walker.  they change their rugs from their night rugs into their woolen rugs and head collars on. the car is loaded with saddles bridles pads scrapers ect and taken up to the track. 
phillip does a works list every night, much the same as peter moodys. that is taken up to the track and one is left on the yard so everyone knows whats happening.  phillip walkes two horses up the the track and ties them up and tacks them up.  katie takes two and i take one.
i took a horse that came back yesterday from japan. he went for a roll in the sand and then went for a swim and then back into the tie ups, scraped off and dried with a towel with his woolen rug back on.  he stayed there in till something else could go home with him to keep him company!
the track is similar to melbourne but probably not in the same condition.  it looks more professional over there! i might be wrong!
once theyve been riden they get rolled, swam and rugged up and taken home, two per person and then they swap over and bring another two back up!
when they get back to the stable they go on the walker for a while before they get put away in their boxes with their hay and feed.  they get groomed in their stables!
they all go on the walker in the afternoon and they also swim.  the pool is a different shape and size to moodys.  its got two straight bits.  they have to walk a good bit up to the track where the pool is.  down a street and up the road. 
theyve also got a horse water walker here! i used it this morning a horse thats had a knee op went on it for ten min.  ( i need to hurry on now as im off racing with katie)
ill update soon!
ill update pictures when i get back to my house!

Melbourne-perth-adelaide-Melbourne!

Well hey guys, I'm over in Perth with a friend Rhian Rodgers!!!!! She's welsh...she's my buddy from my home town! I flew over last night and I'm planning of going to see ascot races and see how things are done over here. Peter and I planned that I'm going to fly back to Adelaide to a yard over there, I'm going to stay there for a week and work. Hopefully ride out maybe I'm really exited to see how different things are done there! Chat soon! I'm spending loads of money:-( but it's all good fun and I'm learning!

Feeling weak!!

Hey guys, sorry it's been a while! It's Thursday 28th of june!! Nothing exiting has happend really, only that black caviar is still unbeaten!!! Well done girl...well done team! It was rather close but take nothing away from the mare!!! True champion! We had a great night- was a long night- but was well worth it! Myself and few friends went out to the city Saturday night!! Food,drinks...few more drinks watched the mare win then few more drinks...:-) was a heavy one but I think we deserved it! I stayed over flemington sat and Sunday night! Was great! Work has been the same really, nothing major to report! Was up the tower Tuesday helping clocking again and watched the trials! Few horses been turned out in the paddock after their trials for a short break, few more came in!! Wednesday I went to the races at caulfield where we had 8 runners, we had a nice winner in the first and few placings along the way! We had lovely lunch in the owners and trainers!! Peter and tony still haven't returned from England, but I'm sure they will be back soon!! Luke Nolan was back yesterday and rode the winner! Thursday I felt weak and tired! I rode 5 this morning. Things didn't go my way this morning. I was tired and feeling weak as it was and then I rode grace which Ive ridden before and found her a nice ride, but today she took off with me, I couldn't hold one side of her! I was cross with myself that she got the better of me. But what could I do I tried to hold her. Anyway she was ok and so was I after I got my breath back. ( bet your all laughing) ha ha!! Another horse got wound up and started playing up because we had to wait for a few to finish galloping on the grass before we could cross it! It wasn't too bad, he just got exited and wanted to get on with his work!! He's actually a nice ride! Then my third wanted company but I was on my own with her, not ideal but I survived!! I just had to keep kicking! My fault I suppose I didn't have a stick! I was glad to ride my last one let me tell you. I then went up the tower to watch a few work and we had a horse schooling, he was schooling for the first time. Joe was riding him, he's a very good, quiet and experienced rider! He walked him over few tyres first then he jumped the baby hurdles before going up the shoot to jump the proper hurdles! After a while he was very good at it. It's just to sharpen him up. He's running on sat/sun I think!! You remember the filly I like...beach! Well she ran on Monday and came second not beaten far at all!! She will win races for sure! The jockey said she's still green! ( babyish ) Rip the guys that's sadly lost their lives back home. Thinking of all their families! Very sad!! Chat soon! Bed time!!!

Ascot 2012 black caviar- will she win??

Hey guys- it's Saturday morning 23rd of June! The day has come!! Ascot!!!! Black caviar!!! Hope she goes and wins.....easy!!!!! It's 9.30 and I'm home from work. Another good day! We got done early, 8.45! Its very cold this morning but no need to complain because the rain stayed away! But it did rain during the night!! I was up the tower this morning with Tom clocking the horses! The track is in bad condition due to the amount of rain wev had this week! As a result to this we couldn't really work the horses like Pete would like them to be worked! Tom changed the work to make it safer for the horse and rider! Anyway 4am came and up the tower with our binocularS and stop watches! The workers had to work on the 'A' sand this morning instead of the visco! I'd never clocked from the A sand before, all the markers were different and they were further away from us! Ment it was harder to see the riders and the markers! After a few I fingered it out- I was away!! They all worked good. Some of the riders get they're times smack on!!! Some work should take a minute and this young lad does it every time! He's only young and he wants to be a jockey! Hopefully he will read this and will be a happy lad!! Few of the new babies that came in yesterday we're a little keen this morning- different track and different place! We did have one rider fall off, but he was ok and the horse didn't gallop off which was good. Just a little fresh! Soon after the last pair finished we walked back to the yard. Gemma had made 25 cupcakes last night and brought them in for us- very kind of her. Then next thing Marie and dani had been to the shop to get me a green tea and a chocolate brownie!!!! My fav!!! That's really kind of them, such nice people and good team of people too! I went and swept the whole yard and we all finished early! I'm now home going to chill out for the day and hopefully sleep because black caviar is running tonight (our time ) at 12.45am!!!!! There is a big party happening in Melbourne city centre tonight- at federation square! I can't wait! I'm going with few friends meeting at 7 ish and there's free food and free drinks for us!! Hopefully I'll make her race:-)!!!! really kind of Lisa to ask me to join them tonight! Where I'm staying they don't have a tv!!!!! Strange so I couldn't watch it at home, great excuse to go out!!:-) But it should be a great atmosphere tonight. There will be thousands of people watching her tonight! Come on nelly!!!! Hope the rain stays away!! Oh yes, yesterday I rode 5 nice horses from 4-6.30 and then I went with Peter Courtney in the lorry picking horses up from the water farm and taking one colt to a pre training yard to have a spell out on grass and the other 5 back to caulfield!!! It was another intresting day- meeting new people and seeing different yards! He took me on a detour to see few studs- I saw darley stud, very impressive!!! So much money involved in horse over here!!! We got back to the yard at caulfield at 2pm where I went home and went shopping!:-) Right guys- chat soon !!!

Horrible weather!!

I was woken up at 2am by the rain- it was hammering it down! I was hoping it would stop by 3.30 but no.....it's still raining at its 10am!!! Anyway mucked out a few and rode out 5 this morning! I rode blue- she's new to me, never riden her before, nice filly! My second horse was beach, when I got back in from riding blue she was waiting for me at the tie ups! Beach is feeling well at the min, which is great I think she's due to race soon!! Hope she wins:-) Fred was my third horse- I really don't get on with this colt- I'm not sure why but I dont think I should ride him! I did tell Tom that we didn't get on..... He said I could see that! Ha ha he was obviously watching through his binoculars! Brim was my 4th horse, I'd never riden him either! He was lovely! We went on our own in the heavy rain- he was good as gold! My final one was big bear... I like him too! He's so big and really playful! He would buck and kick out! No harm in him though! Soon after I finished I changed my clothes and ran up the tower to see Tom. I watched one school over hurdles this morning! Joe was riding him, he jumped well! They only school them to sharpen them up a little bit! I'm sure they said he's running on Saturday! Will be intresting to see how he goes! Then back to the yard and I went sweeping in the rain! Got wet again! We were done early this morning! 8.40!! Ideal back home in the dry!! I'm reading Paul nicolls autobiography at the min, I can't stop reading it! It's very good! Chat soon!

Righto..........!!!!!!

3.30 start this morning again, it's getting colder!!! I need to go and buy warmer clothes!!!its a Tuesday, which means its a work day and the trials!! Busy busy busy!! I mucked out 2 boxes and then I had the call to go up the tower!! I had to do some clocking this morning because the boss Peter and Jeff the racing manager have gone to England and I was helping Tom out! The morning flew by. All the horses worked well, everybody was happy! Great result! I clocked a few, but I also had to clock two pairs that weren't that far apart!! Had two stop watches....!!:-) its not that difficult really once you get the hang of it! I'm still stressing- when you've got 4/5 pairs working and you need to clock them all! We did miss a few but never mind- not the end of the world! I got taking to the new English girl this morning, she's been there a week. Natalie I think here name is- she use to work for Nikky Richards! She's now working for Moody! She's got her year visa! We had 21 in the trials this morning! There was 8 trials! A few were my having a soft educational trial while some were having a hard one to see where they're at, fitness wise! I hear them talking up the tower saying that caulfields horses are all very fit. I'm not sure why they would be fitter than flemingtons horses! We did have a few on the vets list this morning! Scope, trot up, bloods!! off to bed now before going back to work! I'm off out tonight with friends to chapel street! Lovely place! Need my sleep! Night guys! X

Great weekend!

Hey there !! Sorry I've taken so long to write this but I've been busy! I have to think now what I've been up too the last week though. We had a great weekend, Peter is over in Newmarket at the min but the yard is still going strong even though he's thousands of miles away! Tom and I went to flemington on Saturday after a busy morning with 7 runners, out of the 7 runners we had 3 winners and few placings which was great! We had three races with two runners ! We also had a winner in Adelaide-Fred!!! The 7 runners at flemington were: flamberge, king krovanh, storm burst, club command and dayita. It was busy enough really, but it was worth it when we had the results! Soon after the races we left. I went home to get ready to go and meet few friends. We went for a really nice meal and then went to watch the rugby game!! It was a really good day/evening till the last minute of the game when we lost! Gutted!! Never mind! Last tuesday I didn't ride I went up to the tower with Peter which was really good! He gave me the chance to clock few horses and explained a lot to me. I felt like I'd learnt a lot that morning! Wednesday I was riding, I rode 5 I think. It's nice to do different things now and again! On Wednesday night I went to the cinema with friends, it was a great night. Really enjoying it out here. Everyone is kind, helpful and pleasure to be with. I do miss home but you soon get into a routine and get on with it after being away for certain amount of time! Thursday I had a busy day leading the horses out for the ponies! That's non stop for three hours! Walking, swimming, walking, picking feet out, walking, washing off! But at least the time goes quick! I rode 5 nice ones Friday, I flew though them because once I finished working them Nelia was there ready with the next horse. That's all I had to do was jump on and work them. Ideal!! I rode bear, I'm sure I've mentioned him before, he's a big colt. He's so big and playfull! He was trying to get me off by bucking and twisting. It was fun, there's no harm in his playing. He's well in himself! But now he's moved down to B barn, I'm not sure why that is. Must be a reason. I also went racing on Tuesday, to sandown! We had three runners. Grace won and we also had a third in the same race. Great day! Saturday I didn't ride because it's a work day and I like to go up to the tower to see them work and clock them! It's intresting seeing them work against each other. I also try and listen and watch the other trainers that are up there. I'd love to be a fly on the wall up the tower everyday! It's all men and they do make me laugh, they apologies sometimes because of what they say! I don't mind:-)! I find it really intresting! I was dressing a horse the other day and I didn't like the look of his leg! I got Tom to check it, he didn't like it either so he out him down on the vet list for 8.30 that morning. Well it wasn't a good news once the vet saw him. She's now gone. She will need 12 months off! This weekend they started clipping the horses. The guy clipped 10 on Saturday. Once they are clipped they go for a bath with anti fungal shampoo and get a hooded rug put on! Keep them nice and warm!:-) Monday morning was a busy morning, I rode 5 this morning, 5 nice ones, grace was my first horse, she won last week. Nice filly. She trotted around the warm up sand 2 times and then we went onto the A sand and trotted half way around and then cantered 1 1/2 times around. She was relaxed and didn't take too much grip! My second horse was Winnie, never ridden her before. She done the same, nice ride when she settled. A horse came cantering past us which wound her up a little! Beach was my third, I think shes my favourite....big white face and big ears!! I can't wait for her to run, she was suppose to run on Friday but her blood wasn't right. Crop was next, I like her too but she hangs real bad to the left. They do know about it. My last one was spirit , he's nice too but gets exited now and again passing horses. I took him for a swim after his gallop. Then back on the yard to dress some horses! We finished at 8.50 this morning. Great mornings work. Now I'm sat at home eating my breakfast! Iv been keeping up to date with nelly over in Newmarket, hope you guys have too. She looks well and keen to get on with things. Luke had a great boost on Saturday ridding a double at flemington before flying to England! I hope she wins and comes home safe and sound! True champion ! Pete is very happy with her and I'm sure tony and paddy have done a great job over there whilst Pete was here, but now the A team are all together. She's going for a nice gallop tomorrow! I'm not sure where I'll watch her race yet, I might go into the square in the city where they've got a massive screen up for all her followers!! It should be a great night!! Right- chat soon! I'll put some pictures up on Facebook now too:-) xx

My birthday!!

Bank holiday Monday Morning all, I've just come home from being out for breakfast with a friend. It was lovely! I'm sat at home now with Kay, Kay was with me in school and he's over in Australia for a year! He drove from Perth to Melbourne last week and got to me on satureday! We met up and went for dinner and went to watch the rugby, not a good result as we lost!! But we had a good night. It's great to meet up with someone I know and be able to speak welsh!! This morning I mucked out and then I went up to the tower with mr moody, I told them I wanted to go and spend some time With the boss before he goes to England!! It was great. It was a quiet morning, we couldnt see much because the fog was so bad! I had all morning to pick with his brain, ask him loads of things! I probably annoyed him but if you don't ask you don't know!! He's a great man to be involved with, he's so so funny! He got us all laughing this morning. Teasing and messing around. I was with him from 4-8.30 after that we went to both yards to see if everything was in order. We had a great weekend, three big winners!!! He's broken his record of group ones in a season. He's had 10 and he's won the group one championship !! I told him we should have a party....!!!! few horses didn't run so well....so this morning they are going out to the paddock for a break! Big movements happening this afternoon, horses moving around everywhere because loads has gone out!! back to wrk at 2-4 to swim a few and then I don't know what's happening later! Might go out for dinner as its my birthday:-) Chat soon!!

My first time riding a yearling !

Hey guys, black caviar and the team are on their way to England!! It's all exiting, she had more bags than the queen I recon!! Hope they get there safe and sound and I really hope she goes and wins!! Good luck team. The days are the same here, work as usual, this morning Tom was in charge, the boss is away up brisbourne and tony has gone to England! I rode 7 this morning and I rode a yearling which was nice, very green and very babyish as you can imaging! Emma was with me on another yearling and they were working upsides! They done a piece of work and was timed!! We had to ride leg long and encourage them along, they didn't really know what to do. But they will stay in training for about 4 weeks then they will be turned away, out in the paddock to develope and come back in for a proper training! They've been in caulfield a week, they came from a pre training yard where they were there for 3weeks. The filly I was riding was very very big for a yearling - she had big bone and was around 16.3h!! Hope she sticks training being so big! Yesterday I went to flemington racecourse- its very nice, I was impressed!! We had three runners but no winners! It was very cold by the end of the day! We sat in the weighing room between our races, they have a room for trainers, with free drink all day and free food. I don't think they get this in England. I know they have an owners and trainers bar in England. Another thing Ive learnt that if a horse needs a bandage on his leg because it's got a cut or an old scar they need to sow the bandage with needle and thread!! ( I'm not sure if I've put this in a blog before!!) just to be sure it doesn't come off during the race! It's my birthday next Monday so I'm going to go and watch Wales v Australia rugby in Melbourne! Can't wait! The game is on the 16th of June! Weve had a filly that won last week taken to the vets clinic because her back leg had blown up real bad day after she ran and she had four jabs of antibiotics but it's not made any difference! I would be keen to go to the clinic to see what goes on there. Chat soon ! Need a kip!

Wet Monday morning!

Hey guys, it's 10.30 and I'm home just having breakfast! We were late this morning! The rain woke me up at 2am and it didn't stop raining till 7.30 ish!!! Not so good! I got up at 3 and had my morning chat with Ben on my way to work. I mucked nelly ( black caviar) and zippy this morning and then I went to tack my first horse up. Non slip, towel, pad, saddle, girth and over girth and picked her feet out. Non slip and towels get washed everyday and the girths get washed in the machine once a week. All the gear is looked after well! The Washing machine doesn't stop, between all the towels and rugs it's on all day everyday!! I rode 7 this morning: Needles Lethal Crop Beach Club Bear and Stranger!! I was busy enough, needles was a little keen and she throws her head around a little bit, lethal is a bus of a ride, really nice, big galloping stride! Crop is a lovely mare, hangs a little left but a really nice ride keeps her head down and she's nicely on the bit. Beach is very temperamental but I seem to be getting on fine with her. She's actually really nice, tony did comment about how well we get on,which was nice of him. I rode her Saturday too! Club is nice, he's the lad that's on my profile picture on my Facebook. He won week last Saturday! Bear was a little monkey, he's a big colt and he's full of excitement!! He tried to get me off four times this morning, just being fresh!!it was all good, I kept laugh at him. It was good to see him happy!! Last of all stranger, he was nice too, he only gone 1 1/2 on the A sand where as all the others trotted 2/3 times on the trotting/warm up sand before going out on the A sand to do either 1 and 1/2 or just one full circle!! I need to find out how long the A sand is!! Think it's 1600 or 1800 meters! I could be wrong. After every work we go back onto the trotting sand to cool off, I think this has a lot to do how relaxed Moody's horses are after work, because the learn to chill/relax on the trotting sand before walking home. I see few other trainers horses going home straight after they gallop and they are really buzzy walking home! This took me till 8 am- then I dressed 5/6 horses before I helped the vet do a few X-rays! I love helping the vet and asking loads of questions! Never stop learning!! Once all the horses were dressed and rugged up we all swept up and went around putting mud on all the horses from the knees down! But at 2pm all the mud will have to get washed off for them to go swimming! We were a little late this morning because 5 people had today off. Everybody has a day and half off a week! But it normally falls on one weekend and then the other day will be during the week! But toms as always given me sat pm and Sunday off! Tom is in charge of the days off!! I saw Peter for about 10 min today, he was busy up the tower and then he went into the office!! The tracks are very well looked after! They're in good condition.....I think there's around 800-900 horses galloping on it everyday!! And 400-600 horses swimming everyday! Moody would have 100 horses at caulfield and nearly all of them would swim twice a day! I might have a sleep before work this afternoon! Chat soon guys!

Staff tree

Peter moody(trainer) Tony haydon (assistant) Tom brideoake( 2nd assistant) Jeff o'connor ( racing manager) Donna ( foreman) Justin( foreman ) Venessa ( foreman) Nick ( foreman) Neil ( feedman) Nick and George (2/3 feed men) Peter Courtney ( 1st driver) Mark, Vanessa and Tom ( 2nd drivers) marni Kelly, Sarah moody and Emma loftus ( office work) Luke nolen jockey Linda meech jockey Jake jockey Daniel jockey Jason bembow jockey Murray pony rider Paul pony rider Mark pony rider. track riders: paddy, dave, joe, copper, emma, lisa, marie, gemma, slim, show, justin, bones, natalie.....me!! there is a few others but they are either on holiday or up in the other yards!

One month gone!!!

Hey guys, sorry for not keeping up to date everyday, I've been busy, if I'm not working, eating, sleeping I'm out:-)! Anyway, it's Saturday the 2nd of June ( where has that month gone) and I'm ready to go racing. It's a mixed card today so that should be intresting. I haven't seen any jump racing in Australia before. Today I rode 5 horses, few nice ones but I had a horrible one too....!! Keen!! But what didn't help was its a Saturday which means its a work morning for most yards, including us. There's about 15 trainers training at caulfield..!? Horses everywhere, when I was working on the inside track there's horses working both sides of me!! Going flat out!! No wonder the horses get keen. They want to go flat out too! Anyway it was all ok in the end, didn't like it at the time! Yesterday I went over to the stalls where they have a jump out, they were babies that hadn't run before so they weren't too sure. We had 7 in total just for them to get use to jumping out and working to the line! I had a go, I walked 2 into the stalls, then before I had chance to go under,tony shouted 'ready'......!?!?! I screamed 'hang on' but he was only joking. I soon ran out of the way! I noticed a lame horse last night after swimming, so I went to the office to get tony to check him. It was intresting what he said and done. He was questioning me which was good, then he showed me few things. He's very good at his job, tony has been working for Pete from the start! 15 years I'm sure. Thursday afternoon, paddy and I went to the zoo after morning stables. Paddy is black caviars rider, he always rides her unless Luke is it! We got the train and made a day of it, it was good. I love seeing all the animals but I did think majority of them looked unhappy!, We went into the city on the way home and went into the casino to see what that was like. It's massive!! Unreal! Soon after we went back to chapel street for a few drinks before heading back home. I enjoyed it! We've had a load of winners since the weekend and few placings. Always running well but if they don't they go! Remember the horse I took racing Monday.....?? He didn't run very good, well he's gone! And his box was filled up within hours! Right, I'm off to the races! Got the weekend off so I'm off to flemington tonight to stay with friends! Chat soon!

Black caviar galloping !

Hey guys! How are you all? I'm great, I'm really enjoying my time out here!! I was thinking about not coming back yesterday!!!! Oh well only time will tell! Nothing really exiting to tell u only that I had a busy day yesterday, I started at 3.30 and rode 4 horses by 6.15 and went racing with zinga( my first strap) he was mine to look after for the day. Two horses left at 6.45 because they were in the 11.30 race up in wodonga!! It was 300 kilometers one way. The other horse didn't leave till 10.30 on a transport wagon. It was too long for him to wait there all day. They guy that came with me had to stay there all day. We got there at 10.30 which gave me time to get changed, brush my horse and walked him around and then the saddle was there. I think we expected him to run better than he did, he was the first one off the bridle!! The other one finished third, which they were happy enough with. I walked him around and washed him off and off we went on back. We had to travel 2 hours towards home to pick another horse up from a pre training yard. He was coming back to caulfield. It was a nice drive home, saw some lovely country side! We got back to the yard around 5pm. My day ended there, but Pete the driver had to pick two horses up from caulfield and take them to the paddocks out in the country!! This morning I had planned to go up the tower with mr Moody as it was a work morning and the trials!! Luke was coming in to work black caviar this morning on the grass. When Pete and I walked up towards the tower the tv cameras were already there....4am!! I watched her gallop, she worked very well they said. They were happy with her time considering the ground was a little soft! Wev had a lot of rain! I kept out of Peters way this morning because the cameras were there and I suppose it's stressful time for him. Jeff was there this morning too. Few horses didn't work as well as expected but few worked very well. Thats the way it goes sometimes! But the ones that didn't work well were put on the vet list for either a scope, trot up or take a blood sample! Things are done there and then here, no hanging back. I did hear that the horse I took racing yesterday will maybe have one more try at the races and if he shows nothing, he will have to go. Maybe to a country stable where the racing arnt so competitive !! If there no good they goo!!! They had a good morning in the trials- 16 horses I think they had and I think I'm right in saying they had 3 winners. Which is great! I couldnt believe that by 6.30 this morning they had 60 horses worked/galloped!!! In 2 and half hours!!! Good effort by everyone! This took us till 9am, I went back to the yard with Pete and Tom and we soon left as everything was done. I slept from 10am- 1.30 today, i was tired! This evening was easy enough, I swam 7 horses and rugged up and I was out of the yard by 3.55! Great stuff. I'm not at home wide awake but staying in tonight! I've had my dinner so now chill for the evening! I did put videos of the water walker and of black caviar on face book tonight, hope you've all seen them!!

6 WINNERS!!!!!!!!!

Hey guys, what a great weekend!!! We had 6 winners yesterday at three different meeting. We had 4 at caulfield which was great. I worked yesterday as normal, I rode 4 horses and I couldn't wait to go home because believe it or not I was really really sore, stiff from riding those keen ones on Friday. Ha ha !! I must be really unfit. Oh yes..yesterday we had two champions out on the lawn getting their picture taken. sally Pearson was holding black cavia. She's the 100 meters hurdle champion ! It was great being there. There's some brilliant pictures on Facebook. At 9.30 I went home to get ready to go to the races at caulfield. I was picked up at 11.30. We were in the second race, we went and took the colours and picked up the saddle! We had 5 runners there. The first runner was a winner, won nicely ! We then had a big gap between the races so we decided to go for lunch in the owners and trainers. It was a saturday meeting so I had to look smart. I had a great day, 4 winners. We also went into the winners lounge after the race With the owners to watch the replay and had a few drinks. I helped tony saddle up which was good. Peter wasn't there, he's still not well. But hopefully yesterday would of made him feel a little better!! It was party time last night, I went out with friends for dinner and a nice bottle of wine and went to a very nice bar. I really enjoyed!! Spent lots of money, I find it really expensive over here. But it's once in a life time opportunity, so I might as well enjoy my time here. I've been for a walk and now I'm eating my dinner and looking forward for a good night sleep. I think I'm going racing tomorrow! Wev got two runners. Its around 4 hours in the truck. Oh yes, Friday, it was a great day at the sales. I went with Jeff, they had 7 going through the ring but Jeff had one filly, 3 year old filly that's now gone to stud. It was intresting talking to him, about what he does and the great system they have a Moody's. He did say his job is very difficult at times. Especially when the weather changes and he has to email all the owners again and decide what to scratch the day of the race before 7.30. I got introduced to a lot of new people which was nice. Few of them asked if I wanted to go to their stud/breaking in yard just to see how they do everything. That would be lovely! We left just before 5 to try and miss the traffic. Long enough day but I really enjoyed it. Chat soon peeps!

Hang on cow girl cat!!!!

Morning all!!!! Well what a morning that was.....!!! It's 8.30 and I'm home ready to go to the sales. I still started at 3.30, mucked few out before the fun began!! Well it wasn't much fun at the time. I rode four horses this morning, I was working with Marie. All of ours were going 2 halves on the lead....which means, trot half the tack and then canter half then trot half and canter half again and finish on the trot down. It sounds easy enough, well it is normally but all of my horses either wanted to get me off, not want to go forward or try and run away with me or just pull my arms out!!!! My first one wasn't too bad to be fair to him, two year old colt, he was just a baby and hadn't been in that long. But he had Marie's horse for company. My second horse was a little monkey, he was stoping and being really sharp and spinning around when walking on and off the track and going through the tunnel. But he was ever so good cantering. Marie and I had some fun, laughing. I did look like John Wayne. I was determined not to come off so I rode long:-)!!! Marie called me a cow girl cat. I hung on to my neck strap alright:-) The next two horses were way to strong for me, I think my arms are as long as my legs... !! Tony did ask me if I found them keen....! He must of been watching me through his binoculars!! I managed to stop them but I didn't think I was in control most of the way!! It doesn't help when someone else comes cantering past you. Oh well!! I went back to the yard and I felt to tired and weak and aching all over. I couldn't wait to come home for a bath. Too top it off its raining. I hate rain! I'm now ready to go to the sales, I'm meeting Geoff at the stables at 10am. Tom sent me home really to rest and to get ready! Think I need tomorrow off to get over today!! Just joking. I have asked if I can go up the tower tomorrow to watch the horses work. Tuesday's and Saturday's are their main work mornings. I like being up there watching and listening!! Just want to say well done team Tizzard on their winners!! I keep looking at the racing post and looking at the results!! Right guys I best get some breakfast before the long day ahead at the Sales....in the rain!! Any questions please ask. If you can't comment on here, comment on Facebook or twitter! Thanx

Riding the ponies!!

Evening all...it's 5.40 and just eating my dinner- I came in through the door at 5pm after a good day!! But no winners!! The morning started the same, up ar 3 had my phone call on my way to work. Went and mucked out two horses! I wasnt down to ride anything today because they had enough riders because all the horses from the trials yesterday and the ones that ran yesterday were only swimming today and 4/5 people had their days off. I was needed on the yard. But tony shouted over at 4am....welshy get ur riding gear on ur riding the pony!!! So off I went to get my riding gear on. I'd never riden a pony here before. First time for everything. I led 4 horses out in total, they went on the sand gallop just for a trot. They done 5 laps each and back in for a swim and a roll! Soon after I finished riding out I went back to the yard and helped them. Peter moody isn't well and wasn't in today! Hope he's better soon! At 8.30 the vet came in as usual! I went to help and trotted a few up for him. Tom and him weren't happy with this horse and wanted to x ray him. I held him whilst he was getting x rayed! Bad news....he had a fracture on his knee! Very sad as he is a very good horse. Nice big three year old! At 9 am I left the yard to go home to get ready to go racing to sandown! I've been there three times, still not seen a winner! But theyve had plenty of winners, but just not when I've been there! I was picked up at 11.10 and went in the car! We had 5 runners but second was the best! Never mind! One thing Peter doesn't like is after the horse has run, he likes them to walk off and cool off before washing them off. He thinks it's a shock to their system putting cold Water on a hot body! Also I noticed when the horse finishes the race, there isn't a water bucket in sight!!! Intresting. They wouldn't have water there in the summer. Not sure why exactly! Nothing else to report today. Have fun guys and chat soon! X

Exiting Tuesday morning!!

Morning all, I'm not sure where to start!! Suppose I'll have to start from the beginning. so much to say today! Got out of bed at 3.05 after 8 hours sleep....!! I love sleeping!! I got ready for work and left the house at 3.20 when Ben rings me, he rings everyday at 3.20! I jump on my bike and off I go! I have a chat with Ben whilst I'm cycling to work! It was very cold and windy this morning but soon warmed up mucking out, I mucked out three this morning before I went over to the tower. Tony and Geoff had already gone. But I walked over towards the tower with paddy, he was riding black caviar. She's such a nice mare, lovely looking and so chilled out! When I got to the tower tony and Geoff were there talking about the horses working this morning, I joined in and Geoff was ever so kind, he was explaining what was happening ect. Geoff is peter moodys racing manager! He's got a very important job and it's stressful at times I'd say They gave me a pair of binoculars and a stop watch. I think there was around 40 horses working this morning and 20 horses going in the trails! The trails starts at 7.30. the rest were either doing slow work or going off the ponies. It's really difficult to understand what work they do at the beginning. Because there's so many different tracks, eg A sand, visco, grass, the lead. And on each one there's signs with different distances, I couldn't keep up. Some were Woking on the visco and others on the grass. You really needed eyes on the back of your head, horses everywhere and they needed to time every pair from certain distances. Eg, they canter to the 1200 meters then they quicken from the 800 meters to the 400 and then from the 200 few quicken for home...!! I think that's right, it's going to take me a while to understand it and to be able to time them. I did clocks few with them. Each pair or rider goes to see tony before going out and when they have finished they will see tony before going on the sand to trot down ( cool down) Luke and Linda worked together, jake and Daniel worked together, they were the jockeys that were in today. But there were others working too eg Emma, Jo, Dave, cooper, John Marie. They had a few reports coming back that some pulled up short, lame or few didn't go so well. Then tony would 'Walkie talkie' Tom back at the stables telling him to get the vet to scope or trot them up for the vet that comes everyday at 8.30!! Geoff wrote the times down for every horse, and they are all kept on record. Few jockeys got told off for going to quick or too slow. They must have is bang on right. They have a beeper on their hats that beep every second so they can count how long it takes them to do their distance!! Im so so glad I've won this scholarship and had the chance to come over to such a great team, and such a successful team. It's so powerful. I can see how and why they get the results they do. Everything is done to the T!! Geoff and I got talking about his role, he does all the entries and deals with all the non runners. Example today, we had a horse that was suppose to run today but when he came out for a trot he wasn't 100% sound, so he had to be scratched before 7.30. He done that there and then on his I pad. If they're not scratched before 7.30 and they don't run they need a vet certificate ! He then showed me his work sheet for today! The has an A4 sheet for everyday with times on it when he needs to do things. By 11am he had to write emails to all the owners from yesterdays runners, a report on how they ran. Why it didn't win and where they are planning of going next. Or if it won what's the next plan! He has to email all the owners of the horses that's running that day to say what the plans are on how they think they will run. Then every Tuesday he has to email all the owners to explain what the thoughts are on all their horses and how they worked and how the trials went. It sounds busy enough to me already! He has a few horses in training with moody! We got talking about the sales and I'm really exited about going to the sales with him on Friday. Very kind of him to offer to take me. I can't wait. He's selling one of his mares. I've got three pictures of black caviar and I wanted Pete and Luke to them signed today, but Peter wasn't there and Luke hadn't finished riding by the time I left. So I've left them in the office so they can sign them before they all disappear to England. At 7am I had a phone call off Peter the driver, he was 10 min away from the yard and he was picking me up. I had to run from the tower down to the yard where he was waiting for me with two horses on the back. We had too drive 2 hours to pick another horse up from a pre training yard and then drive another 45 min to the water farm. ( what an amazin place that was) Willow old equicentre......Peter Clarke is his name. Home of the original hydrotherapy equiciser. Rehabilitation and pre conditioning of race horses. Specialising in tendon and leg injuries. You must go on my face book to check the pics and the video out. It's a horse walker thats in water. The water goes above their shoulder and they walk around But they change direction so they walk against the current. I couldn't stop watching it. They start off being on there 20 min and then they work up to being on there 45 min. Peter was telling me he had a horse win a group one race with out galloping it and just used the water walker. I think that's amazing ! We dropped three off there and picked three up and took them back to caulfield ! The horses that goes up there they need treatment but they can still maintain their fitness. After they finish waking they go into a little paddock for the day just so they can walk around. Not big enough for them to gallop, it's time for them to chill out too. Peter Clark was the first man to build one! It's natural water from the stream and they change the water every 2-3 months but they do use chlorine. We had a good trip up and back with Peter the drive. ( so many peters it's confusing ) We got back to the hard around 1 pm. Great day!! Hope you like;-)

Monday morning on the track.

Morning all, had a good night sleep last night after a very good weekend with my friends down geelong. It was cold this morning, I started at 3.30 and mucked 3 out. I soon warmed up after mucking out, then I went to see tony by the work sheet too find out if I was riding. Yes I had 5 horses to ride this morning. All new ones that I hadn't riden before. Monday morning is normally easy work for the horses because they only swam yesterday. All my horses were nice enough, one or two did pull a little, it wasnt too bad because I was working on my own. But a guy did pass me on the gallop this morning and made my horse want to go faster, I could feel my arms weakening !! Peter was up the tower for a few hours but then he went into the office and tony came up. Tom had his day off today which ment that sean was running the yard. It went smoothly. I think one lad fell off this morning and the alarm went off. The horse and jockey were ok. ( not from our yard ) As soon as I finished riding I went back to the main yard to dress a few horses and trot a few up for the vet. We had a good weekend, few winners and few placings! Sean came to me around 8.45 and asked me to go up to yard a and b to help them out, they were running late. It was nice to go up there and see different horses and different people really, I dressed 7 horses and rugged them up. We did finish late today, it was 10 oclock when I left the yard! I'm just siting in my chair eating my breakfast and drinking my tea. I Will rest now till 2 when I'll be going back to work. In the evening we just swim all the horses and walk them, and before we go home we do their rugs. Whilst one lad skips out and one does the water and the feed man just feeds! It works well! Till later.....good day! Cat

Oi Welshy!!!

Oi welshy!!!!! That's all Im called now!!! It's funny! Anyway, it's Saturday morning and we got done at 9.15 this morning. Nice to get done early as I've got the rest of the weekend off...! I'm off to Geelong to see one of my friends, it's two hours away on the train and I'll stay there tonight. 3am this morning I rung ben for a chat before work, it's a good time to talk really as I'm on my way to work and it's 6pm back home! I mucked out two this morning and then had to go to 'A' barn where all my horses were. I rode 6 fillies this morning, I worked on my own this morning, they were all just cantering! I liked 5 of them, but there was one I didn't really like.. A grey filly, small and throwing her head up all the time. But it was a good morning till it started raining! After I finished riding I went back to the main yard to dress few horses, I ended up dressing 6! It's such a good team work there, everyone works hard and starts from one end of the yard and work through! While the horses are out in the tie ups getting dressed they get their stables skipped out and their hay given!! We've got few runners today, 4-5 different tracks! Few winners needed!:-) Chat soon!

Thursday 17th of may

Morning all Normal morning this morning, I mucked out and had 5 lots this morning. It was great to ride out, it's lovely riding out at 4am. I never thought I'd say it but it is! I rode a big colt today, he had a neck like a bull....! Nice ride! My last lot was a horse that needed blinkers on, it was his first time wearing them. He accepted them well, worked nicely ! Soon after I finished riding I ran up to the tower to catch mr Moody before he goes into his office. It's a chance for me to talk to him, just the two of us really. It's good. He asked me if there was anything to report back from what I rode, nothing major only one was hanging a little right. The cameras were up the tower this morning, not sure why. But the boss was interviewed. He also had a set of colours, small set of black caviars colours with his signature and Luke's, I took a picture of him holding the colours and he also had caviars shampoo and conditioner! Thought he was going to give them to me.....:-) no chance!! The pictures are on my Facebook. Im going to try and get a picture of black caviar with Peter and Luke's signatures before they all go to England. They will be away for 6 I think. Hope she wins!!:-) Nothing else to report today, rest now till 2pm then evening stables. Swimming time for all the horses! If anyone wants me to ask Peter anything, just comment a question and I'll try n get the answer! Thanx! Cat x

Racing

Im just off racing, I'll blog later guys!!! Hey I'm home, it's 5.20 and I've just come in from sandown races! The day began at 3.30 where I mucked out, I didn't ride this morning. I had a new job this morning, taking 4 horses to meet the ponies. Peter tries to lead each horse off a pony at least once a week. He said that it's good for the horses, the horses like being out on the gallop with no rider! It keeps them fresh and keeps the keeps the weight off them. They were out for about 20 min. I took another horse out to the tunnel and changed over! Each horse goes for a swim after and then to the sand pit then a wash! Once I finished that I ran up to the tower where I spent some time with the boss, he was busy filling the work sheets up for tomorrow, but he did say things could change by then..! He always does the work sheets, no matter where he is in the country, he would do it over the phone or fax! He knows what's going on even if he's hours away!! The yards up in Sydney and brisbourne work exactly the same as the yard in caulfield! I had a good chat with him this morning and had a chance to ask him few things, which was very good. He's very kind and knows a lot! He told me how he started training ect! What he does and why. There were a few changes today, horses moving around and few going out for different reasons. 9pm last night two horses left caulfield to go up to Sydney, 9 hour drive. They will run up there but stay in that yard for a while. Once the last few horses had finished working we walked back to the yards where he just walked around to see if everything was ok. Spoke to a few people. Then we went to see a barn that he's going to rent, there was 14 boxes there, soon it will be full. Horses everywhere. He asked me if I'd like to go racing today to sandown, he wasn't going but I went in the car for a day out. Three runners but 2nd was the best. The first horse went at 9.30 with a different trainer because the other two runners wasn't running till the last two races. It's too long for them to wait there till then. The second and third horse left at 12.30! I was luckly enought to meet black caviars owners today at the races, they had a runner! They were lovely people! He told me that he could organise a few days with mr welsh (breaking in yard). I'd like that, I'd love to sit and watch him! He did ask what I was doing on the weekend, whether I'd like to go and watch his girls compete on Sunday. That was very kind of him, But ive already made plans to go and see a friend. But I will go to watch them very soon. Night in for me tonight reading my book:-)!! No tv in this house- nights can be very long but I go to bed early. I love sleep! Night all!! I'll upload more pics on facebook. Oh another thing.......BLACK CAVIAR has her own stamps!!!! I'll get some to bring home:-)

Long day!

Hey guys, it's 5 pm and I've just got back from a very long day. Another 3.30 start, mucked out black caviar....:-) and another one. I rode 5 horses today but they were only doing easy work. At 7.30 I went with 8 horses to the trials. It took us 40 min to get there. I wasnt sure what to expect to be honest, it was like as if we were going racing, they had their passports, colours, racing bridles but no racing saddles and no weight cloths! We unloaded the 8 and put them in the tie ups where they were stood till they got saddled and taken out on the course. Mr Moody was there getting the saddles ready. I groomed a few and helped him saddle. Few things had been forgotten and few little problems had accrued but it was no panic as it was on a trial day. These days are just educational for all these young horses. They have to travel away from home, get tied up, saddled up and walked around and go in the stalls and race. It's for them to get use to everything and also to see how good they are and learn to race. It doesn't always find out how good they are as it's run over the wrong distance for some. I went in the car with Mr Moody over to the finish line to watch three trials. It was intresting. He's a very easy going man he's able to have a joke and a laugh!! Myself and the driver and two other girls left with 4 horses and left the others there. Once we got back to the yard myself and peter ( driver) went on our journey to move horses and pick up a few and to drop few off. Once a horse has gone from the yard in caulfield in few hours its got another horse in there. One out one in!!! Amazing !! We took 2 from the main yard and one from A barn. We traveled an hour and half to drop one off at Michael briands yard, he's the chiropractor for Mr Moody.. I think this horse will be turned out in the paddock for a while but maybe get treated if needed. Soon after we dropped two off at briarwood farm where it's just paddocks on a farm. They go out to grass and have a holiday for a while. We also had to pick up 5 from there to take to brideoake ( toms dads place) this hard is a pre training yard for Moody but they also r Train their own too! From there we took four horses and then went to Julian welshs place which is a breaking yard to pick up 2. I enjoyed my 15 min there just watching Julian ride a youngster in the ring. I could of sat there for hours watching him. Very intresting to see! We left there and headed back to the yard, we got back to the yard around 4.15! I was very tierd and wanted my bed. Hadn't stopped all day and only had a cup of tea that was kindly bought by Peter (driver) I found out today that Mr Moody has 490 horses on the books!!!! Wow!!!! Hope your all enjoying. Sorry about the pictures and maybe my spelling isn't up to scratch!:-)

Moody's owners day

Sunday 13/5/2012 I slept 12 hours last night.....dear me I must of been tired. At 10am I walked over to the yard, the owners day started at 10! When I got there all the owners were there walking around and looking at the yearlings. There were 20 yearlings there that Mr moody had bought with his wife Sarah. The idea of this owners day was that all the yearlings were being paraded, and if anyone wanted to buy them they could. It was very intresting seeing how it's done over here. Peter was talking and explaining everything, he said that he had bought all these himself and he doesn't have a blood stock agent. I had a program with all the breeding and their pictures. Everyone of the 20 horses were paraded. Few of them hadn't been handled much and just come in from the field last night. They all looked a picture, nice coat and filled out. In the program it had all the prices that hed paid for them.. He didn't want to make a profit, he was happy enough to sell them for the same price or even go in a syndicate with few owners. A new rule came out this year that you could have up to 20 people in a synricate. Up till now you could only have 10 people! He did explain a little bit about a trainer that got into trouble after selling a horse to an owner and after some time the horse suffered an injury. But the owner found out that someone knew of a few X-rays that had been taken when the horse was younger and he had an injury before. But no one had told the new owner. Anyway- Peter was just explaining that non of these horses had been veted or been seen by a vet and they all were sold as seen! Mr Moody had bought 50% of 5 colts off another Mr Moodie....Mr Moodie is a breeder and is a very successful man and had a successful business ! He's had many winners with Peter Moody and other trainers. But Mr Peter Moody saw few colts in the field and decided he liked 5! Moodie the breeder tends to sell his colts and keeps his mares and fillies. They've had this system for years! It works well. if no one wanted to buy these horses they would still be trained and owned by Mr Moody. They were all well behaved and it was a successful morning. Soon after it was finished we had a few drinks and a BBQ. It was lovely seeing everyone. Peter Courtney is the lorry driver for Mr Moody and he travels all over the country, racing, sales and different yards. I went up to him and asked him if I could go with him in the lorry to take these youngsters back home. So I did. Myself and Nelia went for a drive to the country about an hour and half away to take five of the colts back to Mr Moodies ( breeder) stable. Well....it was unreal. Great set up. Horses, mares foals, fields, gallops and land everywhere!! It was massive! We unloaded the five and had a walk around. It was great to see it all. We then came home but Peter ( driver) had to pick up another 5/6 to go an another yard about an hour away ( Tom the 2nd assistants dads place, he trains himself and pre trains Moody's horses). It's been a very busy day for the moody camp. When I got back at 3.30 the queen black caviar was home safe and sound in her stable!!! it's raining and very windy outside so night in for me tonight. I'm not able to load any pictures on here for some reason. But I'll sent up an album on Facebook if you'd like to see them. Chat soon!

Will she make it 21 out of 21??

Big day today, the mare black caviar is having here 21st run and is looking for the record of 21 wins. Exiting! Hope she does it and comes home safe and sound!! Lovely sunny day today, 3.30 start and I mucked out 3 this morning before putting my riding gear on. I went out on the first horse on my own and done steady work. Which was fine, saw Tony up the tower as Mr Moody had gone to Adelaide with Black Caviar. The mare angel worked well. Took her back and myself and Marie took our tack over to yard A where our second horses were. These two were working on the track, sprit work, over a distance. It was good, i don't think I've ever been so fast. We worked over 600 meters and we had to do it to a certain time. Tony was clocking us but Marie had a bleeper on her helmet which beeped every second so she could count from certaint places to work out if we are going the right speed. I couldn't of counted and hold mine, I was concentrating so much on hold my lad and breathing, ha ha sounds silly but sometimes I don't breath!!! They both worked well and back we went to see Tony. Everything was good. Cool down on the trotting sand and back home. Next two horses were 2year olds, my first time riding a two year old and she was doing fast work over further, 800 meters! She was very small, narrow and no neck. Maybe a little weak but worked well but she did tie up a little. I felt it went we were trotting around the sand on our cool down. I stopped on my way back and told Tony. I went back and told Nick and the feed man what I thought. They came to me later and said thank you for noticing and to say that she had tied up!! Our last two were both 2year olds again and they were only doing easy work, trot half and canter half. Good day so far, I went back to the main yard and groomed 5 horses and swept up and we were done at 8.30! Home time and I've got tonight off and tomorrow off too. They are racing at caulfield today but I'm not sure whether I'll go. Little tired after going out last night. Plus tomorrow it's their owners/open day. Starts at 10 and they parade all the yearlings for all the owners and hopefully sell them.:-) should be intresting! Chat soon!

11/5/2012

Hey guys, it's 10-45 and I'm at home chilling. Had my breakfast and now I'm going to relax till 1-45 till I need to leave for evening stables! This morning I started at 3.20 and put some bridles and head collars outside the doors. Then I mucked out three stables and took their water buckets out and their feed bowl. The feed man goes around at 3.45 and feeds the horses but leaves the feed outside so when they've done their work and they go back in their stables they person putting them in can also give them their breakfast! The water buckets get filled once the mucking out is done. And then again at 8.30 they get topped up before we go home for breakfast! They all have one big bucket of water each. I rode three this morning, the first horse I tacked up myself, they have a non slip, towel and a big blue and white pad, saddle and then they have a girth and an over girth just like we'd have if they were racing. I went out with another girl, we saw Mr Moody up the tower and he told us what to do. 2 1/2 A sand...which means, trot half way round and canter half and we do that twice, on the A sand gallop, that's what it's called. Then to cool off we went on the sand for a trot. We brought them back and took them for a swim, two laps and took them for a roll and wash off. Second horse I had was doing easy work, half trot and half canter but on a different sand gallop. They also finished by going on the cool down trotting area. My third horse was a mare that "tighs up" which means he's muscles get tight and very sore. Because this happens the mare had to swim two laps before I rode her just to warm her up before galloping. I took her for a trot, half way around and then a steady canter the other half. Same thing again after each horse has worked they go on the trotting sand to cool down! When I took her back she went for a swim but only one lap. I had a fourth horse today in the rain....! Not happy as I didn't have my waterproofs on!! Soon after I finished riding I changed my gear and walked up to the tower to see Mr Moody. He was watching a few horses going through the stalls. They do this a lot, just top make sure they know how and what they are doing. Once the gates open they fly out and work up till the line. I think it was 6 furlongs long today! We went to see the jockeys to see what they thought. Very intresting. Peter and i got talking about horses with sore shins, they would normally throw them out in the field for a few weeks/months depending on how bad they were and how much work they'd done. They had one horse leave yesterday to go to a different yard because his leg was very hot and sore but they did scan it, but found nothing. He's gone up to use a water walker. The water would come up to their knees maybe above and they walk abound in it. It great they say, keeps a certain level of fitness without putting too much pressure and strain on their legs. We both walked back together and went to yard a and b just to see everyone and check few things.. Everything was ok. I dressed 7 horses this morning, and made sure their legs were ok, no heat, cuts ect. They all have bibs to wear under their rugs, then theyv got a thin sheet and then theyv got their heavy rugs. They don't have belly straps on their rugs only leg straps ! Today they all had their heavy rugs on during the day. While the horses get dressed they guys go around and skips them out and gives thm their hay while they are out in the stalls/tigh ups! Last job after the yard is finished is to go around all the horses to put they mud on their legs. From their knees down. I did ask how much a bucked was but tony didn't know. They would go through a lot in a week! 99 horses having it everyday!!! Then a lovely walk back in the sun. Off out tonight to the city. Hope the rain stays away!

Look out....it's a fox!!!!

Rode three this morning after mucking out 4. I rode out hussy first lot, she was only going once around the sand track and trot around the trotting area before going back for a swim and a walk. She was a nice mare didn't pull too hard, I don't think I could of stopped her if she did I'm sore all over. It's like as if I haven't ridden in months. As we were going around the sand we saw about 3/4 foxes.... Couldn't believe it. They say that that's normal, there always out playing and eating!! My second lot was angel, I was told to go out on my own and do exactly the same, but I went to see tony up the tower and he said ' Oi welshy....don't mess it up ok!' he did have a big smile on his face when he said it. Off I went but Emma and Lisa were doing the same work so we went together. She was a lovely mare. Took her back but i met shaun on my way, he took the horse and said got and get ur third horse he's tacked up in 'b' barn. Gibbo was a colt, he was to go around the pony ring, 1 trot 2 canters and 1 trot to finish. Emma was on another colt so we went out together. It was nice to chat to her, she rides out from 4-9 and then she goes in the office till 5! Long day for her. There isn't a horse there that would do the same work 2days running. It's always different. After that lot I went back to the yard and dressed three horses. Then the vet came so I went to see what was going on today. Few X-rays and few injections...very intresting. I'm not sure whether he likes me asking him so many questions! Black caviar is leaving the yard tonight. It takes about 9 hours in the box. She runs Saturday!hope it's 21 out of 21 for her! I got done around 9.30 after doing the bandaging. Yesterday was a good day out. We left in the lorry at 12.30 with two horses. It took half an hour to get there. Once they got there they unloaded and the vets took blood off the horses for a routine check. This is random, some days but they do take blood from selected horses every meeting. They get tied up in a stall, very similar to our saddling boxes till they get tacked up. The two lads had to wait with them till the race. One of the horses had a little cut on his hind joint, it was old but need wrapping up. Tom was busy doing that and then he had a needle and thread and he was sowing the bandage up. It's a rule there that it has to get done just incase it comes off during the race and cause problems! They dont declaire over there, if it doesn't run it has to be shown by 8.30am and if something goes wrong after that they would need a vet certificate ! They both ran ok, 6th and 7th but everyone was happy enough with them. We left soon after the last and went home. Was good to see how it's done over here. Finished the evening by going out with friends as one is leaving tomorrow . Long day and I'm tired. Off to bed till 1.30 I think. It's very warm today I should be sat in the garden but I need my bed. Night all!

I think I need some weetabix!!!!!

3.20 start this morning again, it was very warm this morning. Never gess who I mucked out this morning..... The queen her self, black caviar. I don't think I've been so proud to say I've mucked a horse out before! Ha!!! Anyway I mucked 4 out this morning and then tony the assistant told me to go and get my riding gear on. He was laughing at me all morning taking the mick all the time calling me Irish!! Not sure whether it's cus I'm so stupid or he thinks I sound Irish. Never mind!! It's good to have a laugh! I rode troi, everything was going well intill another horse passed us on the gallop and my lad took off, well I was weak as.... I don't know! Mr moody was watching from the tower no dought! I managed to pull him up and then we went for a trot around the sand too cool off. It's very different to what I'm use too. The work, the gallops the speed. I felt like I was going flat out but we wer only cantering !!! Hopefully I'll soon get into it. I had Dave the old man looking after me. It was only use two going out together. But the horse that passed me was from another yard. I took troi back and took him for a swim. I was handed another horse to ride so off I went. My arms were like jelly but I had to go and gallop this one. Luckily he was doing easy work, I'm not sure why. But we trotted for a while then cantered half the track followed by a cool down on the other sand circle. I saw Mr moody and he asked if everything was ok. Took him back to do two laps in the pool and a wash and a walk. Tom then came to get me to go around selected horses to check their legs ect. He told me to go in and see what I thought of their legs. We did agree on most of them. He had a list of all the horses we were worried about and got the vet to check them. But before the vet came Mr Moody came and told Tom a few things about few horses and he changed the list, few horses had to move yards and few out in the field. Mr Moody had to rush off to catch his flight up to brisbourne to the other yard to check the horse out up there. I'm not sure when he's back. Then with the list we had about the horses that needed to be seen by the vet we had to talk to the racing manager to see when they are likely to run. 8.15am the vet came, trotted about 5 up and there and then he decided that few needed treating. I won't say too much as I don't think they will like me saying too much, even though everything they do is totally legal! what I noticed was, if the vet thought he needed something doing, it gets done there and then. I was asked to trot a few up and then to bandage two horses. Which I did with someone holding them. Everyday every horse has mud/clay on their legs, some from the knee down but some has all four legs. Keeps them cool and takes out any swelling or bruising! I met the back man that treats all Moody's horses and comes at least once a month, very intresting to watch. I left the yard at 9.45- little late today because the vet had a few to treat. I'm going back to meet the lorry at 12.30 to go racing to sandown! We've got two runners. I'm exited and looking forward. Chat tmz guys got to go!

Meeting Mr Moody and my first day at the trials

Hey peeps! Another 3.30am start at the stables and I put all the bridles out in front of the doors! Then I went and mucked out, as I was going from one stable to the next I bumped into Mr Moody! I said good morning and introduced myself to him. Then off he went, very busy time for him at this time of the morning! Three jockeys were in today as its a Tuesday and it's a gallop day! Black caviar was working first and luke was on her, then she went down the beach just to stand in the sea. At 6.45 I went over to the tower to where Peter was, It was able to see what the trial day is all about! Peter came up to me and said thank you for the book I gave him. I brought a book of old stables in Newmarket for him to say thank you for having me for the three months. He said he had a quick look at it this morning at 1am. He came back from hong kong at 10pm last night and was in the office till 1am and then had hour and half sleep. He then explained what the trial run was. It happens every Tuesday and today he had about 14 horses in the trials. There wwere 7 trials in total. They go in the stalls and then they race for three furlongs agains other horses from other yards. There not always 3 furlongs. The jockeys had silks on for us to knows who's who. Peter and his racing manager will watch closely and time all the horses and record them so they can decide if they are good enought and when they are ready to run. The work riders trot the horses around the sand to warm the horses up for the jocks to jump on them to go and 'race'. Peter told me to follow him and talk to the jockeys and owners. The tower was full of trainers jocks and owners. It was a good atmosphere! Peter was the joker of the pack. He soon laughed at me and joked around which was good! He introduced me Linda, Luke and Jason they are his jockeys. I was there from 6-45 till 9 am with mr moody, I had time to ask him a few things. One question I asked was ' why don't you use/like walkers?' he told me ....what are legs for, people can walk them. He also said he uses the pool, he likes the pool and it works well for him. That's answer did make me laugh. He's a kind, happy and a pleasant man as far as I can see. There was one horse he was very disappointed with and told me he will be out of training now. No point waiting time with something that's going to run like that. That's how professional he is, he knows his horses and knows his job. He knows when he sees a good one. The trial day is a good thing as it gives everyone an idea what theyv got. But also he told one jock to give it a good squeeze and give it a slap to see how good it is but then to the other one he said ' this educational run, don't be hard on her" I really enjoyd my morning with him. I'm now sat in the garden in the sun with my friends! Lovely day today:-)

Monday morning on the track

Hey guys I was having a great day in till about 3 minutes ago when I finished writing my blog( it was about three a4!!!!!!! Long) and lost it Anyway I'll just have to do it all over again!!!!! Right, my morning started off great, I got up at 2.50 and got to work at 3.20. I was the first one there except Tom of course. I went and helped him put all the bridles and the head collars out side each stable ready for the stable staff to put on the horse whilst mucking them out! After that I went and mucked out 2 stables, as I was going to my third Tom shouted over, 'cat come to the tower'. Great I thought, the tower is where all the trainers and assistants and the owners go to see their horses work! I was lost... It's such a big set up here and there's 5/6 different tracks or circles you could work on. But as the morning went on I got to understand a little more. There were horses everywhere . But the first horse I saw out working was Black caviar I took some binoculars and didn't take my eyes off her. Very impressive. The same lad rides her everyday unless the jockey comes and rides her! All the work riders start at 4am but that's all they do is ride them and then the stable handlers come and take the horse back and there will be a horse there waiting for them to jump on again. The horses get worked then go for a swim then go for a roll in the sand pit before getting washed off and walked in hand. Tom has a work list that's been organised the night before with 99 horses names and their riders and what each one is suppose to do! It's very well organised and it works like clock work. Back at each yard there's a copy of this list up on the bored so everyone can see and they all know what to do. Tom had a Walkie talkie and two phones and communicates with the head people back on the yards. Mr Moody is still not back but he's on his way back now I'm sure, from Hong Kong and Tony the assistant had that day off today and that's why Tom was up in the tower keeping an eye on everything. Every time a rider passed the tower Tom would open the window just to double check the rider knows exactly what his horse needs to do. It's a Monday morning which means they aren't doing much, trot around the sand circul and go for a canter and then back on the sand before going back home! One thing I did notice was how well behaved all Moodys horses are, some were some that we're a little fresh but it's a Monday, they only swim on a Sunday! And also how tidy all the staff looked all in their unifom. All the horses had white and blue bridles and white and blue saddle pads. The riders all had reflectors vests on all with Moody written on. This made all the other trainers look very untidy. It's a good way to work out who's who's. I did meet a few trainers this morning and saw their work. Up in the tower they had the racing on from yesterday where we had two winners. Congratulations to the connection of soul mama and Daley who both posted impressive wins at sale yesterday! This is a very good system Moody has got, great trainer, great horses and most of all great staff. This is very important, you need good staff to be on the ball all the time and to know what's going on and to do their job properly !! They do have four ponies that would only lead out the horses that's raced two days ago or going to race and they just trot around the sand gallop of their own or go for a steady canter. This is to keep the horse moving without doing too much and keep the weight off their backs! They have 4 ponies in at a time, but they get changed regularly because they are old retired race horses and they do work hard. Some would lead two or three or maybe four in a day. We have two runners today but they both got ridden, only light work and back they went for a bath and a walk to dry off and in for their breakfast. They can relax before traveling to the races. Next thing a big alarm went off.....loose horse!!! Good idea because everyone knows whats going on. We had two this morning but not from our yard. Horses and riders were all ok. From the tower you can see everything around you, with the lights, being high up and binoculars you would miss a thing. When each rider has finished they pass the window again and if they have something to report they tell Tom and he writes it on the work sheet so they can asses later with Tony or Mr Moody eg cough, lame, made a wind noise or keen. Tom then gave me stop watch because theres two horses running on Wednesday and they needed to do some work this morning. They time them work and record it all on their records. Each rider that's going a bit of work has a red flashing light on their helmet so we can see where they are. The two that were working have different trips so they worked differently. One went a steady gallop to the 8 furlong marker and then quickend up till the 2 marker and then swung on till the finishing line! What I had to time was from the 8marker to the 2 marker till the finish! Then the other one worked from the 6 marker to the 2 marker then home. My watch wasn't far wrong compared to toms! I might get better after three months!:-) By 8am we had 99 horses out and finished with their swimming, roll, wash and a walk! That's what I called organised! Tom them went back to three yards to see if everything was all ok and if the vet was needed. The vet comes in everyday at 8am. Today he had one to scope and see a few to trot up! The farrier comes in everyday too, I noticed that theres a list for him too do everyday. Suppose thers 99horses to keep on top off! When we came back to the yard Tom sent me to bandage 6 horses ( hes giving me responsibility already, which is great) nothing was too bad, just few bumps and cuts! Im really enjoying this experience ! I can't wait to meet Mr Moody I've got so many things I want to ask him. I hope I don't annoy him too much! Tom has been a great help to me. He's keen for me to get as much out of this as possible. He would love to get a scholarship and go to England. Hes going to be a trainer in time. His dad is a trainer over here but has only a smal team but is very successful with what he's got. We were done by 9.15! Chat soon peeps