Job update!

It's been a while since I've updated so here's the happenings from the past weeks; 

 As we all know it's been pretty chilly some mornings. This was late January one morning when we was riding out 1st lot in -8 degrees! Even though in such temperatures you wish to still be in bed , I wouldn't change my job for the world, you really do see some lovely sunrises in the mornings and spending it on board racehorses makes it extra special. 

First ever lead up with Brian's Well

Earl Grez and Joe Hill 

On Sunday 25th January we had 4 runners at Higham Point to Point. As it was my day off and wasn't up to anything I offered to go along and help. Earl Grez, my favourite horse was running so I couldn't wait to see how he would get on. It was such a fantastic day out as I'd never been pointing before and Lawney also let me lead up Brian's Well which is a lovely memory to cherish. All horses ran well with three 2nds and one 3rd, it was amazing to see Earl win and nearly win his race, such a shame he lost by a nose! I look forward to more outings. 

As if the bitter cold mornings couldn't get any worse ! Yes, of course we had snow. Thankfully, with the all weather canter Lawney has it's no problem to keep the horses in work. Photographer Eddie Keogh popped in on the morning of the snowfall and took some lovely snowy photos of our first lot. 

Ridiculously fluffy pony

Spotty looking chuffed with himself after a enjoyable hack. ( he thinks he's in training for Cheltenham ) 

On the 6th Februaury it was lovely to go home for the weekend and see everyone, especially my little pony and the handsome Cool Spot. On the downside I was struck with severe gastroenteritis on the Sunday evening and couldn't go back to work until the following week so it was a week at home, in bed , resting.. Not my cup of tea! 

After a horrible week of sickness it was lovely to be back at work feeling human again! The weather was also on our side, with the mornings becoming lighter it gives you hope that spring will be here soon. With clear skies most mornings the sun has been shining down on our back whilst riding out, it makes you appreciate what a fabulous job you have ! 

On the National Hunt yard it's been quite calm the past few weeks, Rude and Crude ran at Lingfield last week and bagged a 2nd against the pretty much unbeatable favourite, he ran very well and Lawney was happy with his performance. 

On the Point to Point yard it's been a few busy weekends. 

Alan has had a good few winners including Minella Theatre, Harbour Court, Consigliere and Done A Runner. Harbour Court and Consigliere will be running at the Cheltenham Festival in the Foxhunters which I'm really excited about. Quinz also ran at Doncaster in a hunter chase and ran a fantastic race, coming 2nd behind the favourite, we were all really pleased. 

This weekend we have Broken Eagle and Minella Theatre running, hopefully we can bag a few more wins! 

The link below shows you Lawney and Alan 's blog about the upcoming runners. 

http://lawneyhill.co.uk

First few weeks at work

These first 3 weeks working for Lawney Hill have been great! The horses here are so lovely and beautiful to ride. It's really interesting working in a racing yard and dealing with day-to-day life for the trainers, jockeys and stable staff. I've had some lovely rides on stunning horses and really enjoying my time here. 

 My working day consists of :

7am - go down to start work either tack up your first lot or start work on the yard dependent what I'm doing that morning 

7:45am - pull out for first lot if riding 

9am - breakfast

9:30am - back down the yard for 2nd lot

10:00am - pull out second lot 

11:00am - pull out third lot 

12:00noon - pull out fourth lot 

1:00pm - lunchtime 

3:00pm- back down to yard for evening stables 

5:00pm- finish for the day 

Weekends are slightly different - on a Saturday you have an extra hour at lunch so go down for evening stables until 4pm and on a Sunday you start work at 8am finish at 11am ( don't ride on a Sunday ) and down for evening stables at 4pm. I also get every other weekend off which is from Saturday 1pm until back to work Monday morning - this is always nice as I can go home for the weekend or just chill. 

Sunday 11th Jan we had point to point runners at Ampton 

Consigliere ( Connie) won the Men's Open wich was a lovely win for the team. We also had a 2nd and 5th on the day. 

 Connie after his winning race at Ampton

Christmas at home then off into the big wide world ....

Coming home after being away for 3 months was lovely. Seeing my pony, ex-racehorse all my Pullens family at work and my family at home - I couldn't of asked for a better Christmas! 

Christmas was absolutely, my Nan came up from Devon and me and my Mum cooked Christmas dinner for us all. Of course Pullens had our Chrismtas Morning Hack and we was all in the festive spirit riding out at 7:30 in the morning !! 

 Couldn't of asked to ride a better horse than the Chivalrous Cool Spot on Christmas Morning ! 

However how much I was enjoying being back at home I only had a week until I went my separate ways again.. And this time it was for a lot longer than 14 weeks! On Saturday it was my last day at home again, of course it was another emotional goodbye to everyone as I was leaving home for good, but it's a fresh new start and I can still come home on weekends off as it's only about an hour drive away. 

Sunday we drove to Oxfordshire to move all my stuff into my new home. The surroundings are absolutely breathtaking here, it's situated so close to the M40 but in the middle of he Countyside - amazing ! 

 Stunning view from my bedroom window. 

Once I was all settled in and unpacked it was time to get an early night ready for work in the morning - moving away from home at the age of 16 is a big step, I've always been quite independent but this was another step! Paying bills, rent, doing everything for yourself , making dinner , doing washing and earning a living - everything you don't think of when your living at home, now I'm here I really do take a step back and appreciate how easy life was at home. 

The end of BRS!

So I can't believe the time has come to graduate from The British Racing School ! Time has gone so fast but also feels like I've been here for years. The last week has been great, we've all been enjoying our last few days here on the straights and counting down til' graduation! 

Our last day and ride at the racing school was very emotional but such a remembered day for us all. We all had fantastic last rides and our graduation was a very tearful moment but we were all so happy we'd got this far and eventually going home with our families ! Below are some pictures from my last ride on Mutajarred ( sadly I couldn't have Allied Powers as he became lame a few days before ) there is also a link to the video of my last ride, some pictures from my course and our graduation. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nWBDsUk31bM  <- Last Ride Video 

Course 288/289 - Mr Bateman and Mrs Marshall 

 Me and Record Breaker 

 Me on Mutajarred and Katie on Ballywatt 

 Look at that cute face!!

 Trotting for home!! 

 Group photo - last ride 

 Graduation! 

I would be lying if I said I enjoyed every second, because I didn't! Some days I wanted to go home, I cried for nights on end and felt like I wouldn't get anywhere but i pursued and battled through and somehow got to the end! I was also awarded with the 'student who achieved the most out of the course' which was a honour to recieve. I had an absolutely amazing experience at the Racing School and would encourage anyone reading this who is thinking of applying to go for it! It's so worth it if your dedicated and willing to try your hardest for something you love. I can't thank the Racing School enough for the past 14 weeks as I wouldn't be where I am now without them. I now have a job working at Lawney Hill in Oxfordshire and is loving every minute, without the racing school I don't know what I'd do ! 

If anyone has any questions or queries about applying for the BRS , before you go, whilst your there etc. I'm more than happy to answer them and help you out in anyway possible please drop me an email on rebecca.hill1998@hotmail.co.uk

And thank you to everyone who has followed my blog and my time through the BRS ! I will keep updating now and then on my new job etc. 

Take care 

Rebecca Hill x