Jockey World A Horse Racing Community Network For Learning & Sharing

   Hi, everyone! Things have been going just as planned this past week! Nothing really hasn't worked out in my favor, I have lost another 3 pounds! That's another goal that has been reached, plus I can tell my core is getting firmer and more definite. I can see why they say jockeys are the most fittest athletes! I'm not even a jockey yet and I'm fit, so just imagine how much more fit I will be when I start riding the thoroughbreds. :) Kickboxing has been helping a tremendous load with building more strength up in my leg and hip area. There isn't a day that goes by that there isn't a bruise on my legs, lol. Also, the zumba instructor for class, is going to be certified for toning, that will help build more lean muscle. Much more to come, because the week at the gym has just started. I will more than likely go to the gym today, and work on some cardio/core workouts.
   School wise--Everything is going smooth! I am finishing up my 2nd quarters work today. I am 1 quarter ahead than every one else and still making straight A's! I'm proud of myself for the things I am achieving in school. Thursday my sister and I have to go t Cullman, Alabama, to get my 3rd quarters work. So, in 2 months I will be a junior! It all feels like it is going by so fast from doing double sometimes triple the amount of school work I am supposed to be doing. It will all pay off in the long run though, people will look highly on someone that tries their hardest in education. When I enter my junior year in December, I am going to begin studying for the ACT, take a couple months to study for it, then when I am confident I will take it. Kentucky and NARA is getting closer and closer, patience is the key though.. I'm just ready to go achieve my goals and earn what I want. It's like this brain is programmed to 1. School 2. Staying fit/working towards being a jockey 3. Boyfriend (Allen)/Family 4. Getting what I have to get done.

Things will all fall into place! I keep telling myself that :)

  Daisy's training--She has made so much improvement! She just isn't fond of anyone but me riding her, she will have to move past that phase. The other day, a couple friends were over, and we tacked her up and rode. She cooperated a little better with someone else on her, which is a start, but still is doing 10 times better with me in the saddle. Can anyone give me advice on how to get her more comfortable with other riders, too? Or, is this something that it's just her and will take time for her to gain confidence in other riders besides me? Also, I have noticed she does even better when it is just her and me..no one else around. For instance, the other day everyone was gone to town, and I got the notion to want to ride. I went and got all the tack, then brought her up and tacked her up..we went to the pasture and she was a total DREAM! That was the best ride I have had on her, and then I rode her once again with a couple people around, and she wasn't as confident herself. It will take time, but I know when she is done with training she will make an experienced rider a great potential work horse. Time and patience with good training will tell :)

   Well, I have got to go feed my husky and horses, I hope everyone is having a great day! If anyone has any advice on how I can fix these couple problems with Daisy's training(I've never dealt with a horse that does great with just one rider and skittish with others), please comment and say what's on your mind! I am willing to try anything that is not harmful to the horse :) Thanks for reading this weeks blog!

--Michaela Ann Heair

After spending my weekend with my horses, I finally have some time to sit down and type out another blog entry. (At last!) Yesterday I rode Adam through the trail in the pasture woods. We worked on stepping over obstacles such as stacked branches and poles first, then popped over small jumps after that. I couldn't believe how well we worked! Eventually I hope to train him to jump through the trail at a gallop just like a steeplechase. :) 

When not riding I continue to exercise -running and some weight lifting. Currently my weight sits just right (approx. 107.5-109) and is expected to decline to 105.5 once track season starts in the spring. Then I will have a better opportunity to work out and performance in track meets will motivate me even more. In addition I am trying to eat more greens in my diet starting with lettuce. I feel this is difficult for me because while growing up I never liked to eat fruits or vegetables (except for corn and potatoes). Fortunately I can tolerate apples and lettuce, so at least I have a starting point. If anyone has any tips on this I would appreciate them! 

-Julie

      Hey Y'all! Wow, it feels so long since I have written a blog, maybe it's because it has been a while! lol :) How has everyone been doing? I hope y'all have been doing great, I know I have been. Once again, focusing on this high school. I'm supposed to be getting some of my last work in the mail, in the next couple of days. I've been thinking I'm going to take a couple days off of school, so I can catch up on all the horse racing I've been missing. The only recent news I have heard of lately has been that Cape Blanco retired with an injury, and that Goldikova pulled up short in a race. I'm sure there is much more to know than that, though! As you all can tell, I have a lot of catching up to do. Believe it, I feel like I'm in a world where only school work exists lol. I'll stay up tonight and hit up Thoroughbred Times, and get to reading and watching replays of races :) Gotta do it while I have a chance, you know? Ohhh Yeah, guess what!! Wait for it.....wait for it......Tomorrow at 9 a.m I'm going to start volunteering at the animal shelter here in town. They are being over run with animals now, so they need all the help they can get. Anything to help people and especially animals.

     I haven't been able to do too much this week, besides work out and minor other things. Last night, Allen and I went out and ate, so that was nice to not have to be staring at a text book for hours. :) Ofcourse, I'm still doing zumba, bootcamp, and kickboxing. Actually tonight, in about 4 hours, I have zumba and kickboxing in a row. I have noticed that kickboxing has made my reflexes a lot better when people are just joking around and poking me or something. They can barely get their hands past mine, lol :) I'm sure good reflexes will help with being a jockey. I actually had a dream about NARA just the other night. I have to say it was one of the best dreams a future jock could have! Hopefully NARA is just as good as this dream was, bet it will be :) Also, I've lost about another 5 pounds, slowly but surely getting there! I weight about 110 now. Which, I've also gained like 2 pounds in muscle weight to keep it balanced out, gotta have the strength too, but I'm being very cautious about lifting weights and everything, can't let muscle weight ruin my chances. I don't see anything ruining it though, I stay on top of everything very well. For example, I'm eating a bowl of butter beans right now for a quick snack and some water :p

      Well, that is just about it for this past week, like I said, not much has been going on. Just the same old stuff, working out, school work, baby sitting, more working out, and more MORE school work lol :) You all have a nice week, and if anyone wants to share anything don't be afraid to comment!

--Michaela Ann Heair