KYLIE'S FEBRUARY 2009 USA TRIP

CARL NAFZGER - THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE TRAINER

For winning the

2008 Pontefract Apprentice Jockey Series

My trip to Miama was looming and I was getting a little anxious. I was also frustrated as I was due to ride Rawdon, but as my flights were already booked so Jamie Spencer had to step into my shoes and take the ride in my enforced absence.

Sadly and frustrating for Jamie, Rawdon didn't do himself justice on this occasion.

Soon after I arrived at Miami I soon settled in and was then not looking forward to returning back to the UK.

The working days at the yard were different than in the UK. My morning started at 05:45am finishing about 10:45am.

On arrival at the yard I would check to see what horses I was down to ride and then place my tack outside the relevant stable door. Many of the staff were Mexican. They were responsible for grooming the horses, tacking them up and actually bringing the horses to me to ride. It was weird to start with as I am so use to being "hands on" rather than having the horses brought to me all shiney and tacked up.

When I had finished exercising the staff would be there waiting to take the horse away to wash them down and cool them off. The next horse would then be there waiting for me to mount.

I rode 6 horses each morning and they all breezed (galloped) and were individually timed. After each breeze up, I would be asked what time I thought I had made. It was difficult at first but I soon got the hang of it, and it wasn't long before I was getting my personal timings spot on.

I was also involved in the stall work with the horses. The system is different from the UK so it proved to be very interesting and I learnt a lot. There is a bell system in the stalls and the handlers actually remain in the stalls with you. I would like to see that trialled here in the UK as it felt a lot safer as a jockey.

I have to say that the life for a jockey riding out in the USA is easier than here in the UK based on my personal experience. Having ridden out the horses and cleaning my tack, I was then free for the rest of the day, and I would make my way down to the beach to soak up some rays! The weather was fantastic. I had time to enjoy some racing down at Gulfstream too. Another great experience.

I think Carl Nafzgar and Ian Wilkes were pleased with me as they offered me a job out there. It could be of course that they were only being polite! :0)

To cap off a perfect experience, I was given the opportunity to ride Rawdon on the day I arrived back in the UK, and finished 2nd.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Carl Nafzgar and Ian Wilkes for all their help and support whilst I was in Florida.

It has spurred me on to wanting to win the Pontefract Apprentice Series again. It was a fantastic prize and I would thoroughly recommend it to any of the Apprentice Jockeys.

Kylie Manser - March 2009