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

My first two days

Hey guys, it's 9.54 on Saturday the 5th of may and I'm sat in the room eating my breakfast after a busy second day at work....! I did blog on Thursday but for some reason it hasn't come up, but I can see it when I log into it. It's called my arrival! Very sorry about that, I hope you all can read this! Anyway, I'm still very tired only slept an hour and half last night, my body clock is all over the place! I've seen a lot since I've been here, I like it but it's a very different way of doing this to what I'm use too! This morning I got up at 2.50 and left for work at 3.15 to start at 3.30! When we got there all the bridles and head collars where outside every stable waiting for us. We all muck out ( the full time people, the riders don't start in till 4am.) We start at stable one ( which is nelly, which is BLACK CAVIAR) and work our way through till stable 34 but there are another 12 but they are on sand and the lads muck them out when the horses are out! We put the bridle on the horse and wrap the reins around their necks and through the throat lash and pop the head collar on and tigh them up at the back of their box where they will stay intill they get tacked up and get taken out for the riders to work them on the track! Each horse has a stable name plus their racing name, they all have their own bridle and head collar, they've all got their names out side their boxes with their brand number ( it's a mark on their shoulder so we all know which horse is which). Also on the board it's got how much feed they have. The horses go out for a gallop then some go for a swim but all horses go in the sand pit for a roll before all horses have a full body wash down with warm water unless it's very cold. After being washed they get vitamins though a syringe ( I will find out more about that when mr Moody is back) then they get scraped off, rug on and then one of the stable hand takes them for a walk. Mr moody doesn't believe in walkers ( when he gets back from hong kong I'll ask him why.) After their walk they go in their box and have their breakdfast and that them done till 2pm. They all have their hay around 8am! Once they've all been ridden they get dressed ( we call it groomed in England) they get their feet Picked out before leaving the box with a head collar on they are brought over to the tigh up area where they have a chain each side and they will stand there for you to dress them. Brush body, legs mane and tail everyday and oil their feet ( unless they are racing or they are on the farrier list!) then they go back to their stable and get rugged up. It depends on the temperature what rugs but they've all got bibs on to avoid the rugs rubbing their chest!! They only get feed twice a day and Hayed once! They have 99 horses in training in caulfield and they also have few in Sydney and few in brisbourne! I work in the main yard, there's 46 horses in training there. Afternoon stables start from 2-4. We go in and every horse goes for a swim, before leaving the stable they get their feet picked out, most of them go twice around the pool! Then they get scrapped off and put a woollen rug on and go for a walk by hand. Then they get put in their box and have their dinner. Once that's done we all start rugging them up and checking everything is done and we go home at 4! Theres one lad that feeds, but I've not been around with him yet. Tony is mr Moody's right hand man and then next in line would be Tom, I've spent lot of time with him, watching, following, asking questions and helping him. The first evening I went to work I swam 3 horses but Tom was following me just incase. I'd never swam a horse before. I was a little nervous at first but after few times I was ok. The second evening I swam 6 horses and 3 by myself. Horses come and go all the time and changing around from yard to yard. Down the way there is few barn with their horses in and it's run the same way as the main yard but im not down there but I've been and had look around. We had a horse finish third yesterday and we've got 13 running today but 6 from the main yard! I live with two ladies and one girl Kirsten , I work with her, but it's her last day today. I feel sad to have to say bye to her after just getting to know her. She's been a great help, took me shopping for food and to get a new phone. She took me to the city yesterday on the train because I needed welingtons as I can't stand wet feet. I will be lost with out her. Highlight of the month was to see black caviar swimming,rolling in the sand watching her get washed off and watching her groom dress her and look after her well. Shes a very special mare! Ive been so so lucky to be able to come out here and be a member of their team. Thank you to you all! Will chat soon

Well the day as come, 1st of may and I'm off to oz!!! It's 11am and I've not finished packing yet, I'm not too sure what to take but never mind I'll buy things out there I'm sure! I've got a sore head this morning after last night!! I had a few friends over for some dinner and few drinks but ended up being a late night!!! Drinking games......!!! Everyone has been so kind with 'good luck' cards, messages and few gifts! Thank you very much, you all know who you are! Some are worried that I won't come back but I'm sure I will! Talk soon!!!!!