It was back to the office today - it's been really busy at work, so am trying to fit in all this extra stuff round it! Just another week at a racecourse.

Been checking out my competitors on JustGiving too, and so far I'm on a par with them; which is fantastic as I'm no-way in the same league connections-wise as people like Alice Plunkett and Rachel Wyse. It's all down to everyone donating and I'm really grateful.

Playing netball tonight and we have to win or we will drop to 2nd in the league. It all helps with the fitness...Come on girls!

The big photo shoot for Cotswold Style magazine (www.cotswoldstyle.com) was today. There were 2 other models I was with; we were in hair and make-up for 4.5 hours! But it was really enjoyable despite how long it took. Our hair was done by the lovely Kat from the Guild, make-up by Alex Sinclair, clothes from Olive (www.oliveapparel.com), Cotswold Clothing and Me Me Me and shoes from my favourite shop, Keith Scarrott Shoes!

We then drove up to Jonjo O'Neill's yard (www.jonjooneillracing.com) for the shoot. I had 3 costume changes and wore the most fantastic hats too. It was an amazing day; every girl would love the opportunity to do this and I'm so lucky I was offered it! So thanks go to Spencer McPherson (www.allintheimage.co.uk) for considering me for the shoot. Had an GREAT day and would love to do it again (hint, hint!).

Rode out 2 horses this morning (early again): Rhum and Frontier Dancer. I met the owners of Frontier Dancer, which I was amazed and delighted to find out are the owners of the last Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander (Our Friends In The North)!!

Imperial Commander at Cheltenham Gold Cup 2010

 

I'm working this evening, as we have the bloodstock auction, 'Brightwell's Stars of the Future'. Maybe if I'm lucky, some rich owner will buy me a horse for the race!

George, who does PR for the Tote, came to see me today so that we could discuss logos and signs for the silks that I'll be wearing come the race. VERY exciting.

Another early start this morning to head to the yard. I rode out on Frontier Dancer and had 3 canters. Nigel Twiston-Davies was also at the yard today and Fergal O'Brien the Assistant Trainer said he's happy with how I'm doing, which is great news!

One of my clients at the Racecourse, Peak Power, very kindly donated to my JustGiving page and I also got a cheque from a client, Alistair Jackson, from the Masters of the Foxhounds Association (MFHA). Thank you so, so much to them! I really am overwhelmed with how much support I'm getting.

Another early start this morning, I was on the treadmill by the ridiculous time of 6.30am! Also had an hour in the gym on the step machine, treadmill and weights. My arms still felt tired after last night's session, the underneath of them are sore even to touch!

I know no pain, no gain and I've been told it will stop aching the more I do it and get used to it. I'm not so sure, though. The race is 7 weeks today, the time is absolutely flying by. So excited about it now, despite a few nerves. Looking at photos of last year's race makes me even more anxious to get out there!

Last year's winner Orna Madden on Prince Picasso

Another BIG thank you to Jeremy Harridge and his lovely mum, Margaret and Judith Gilder from Hooper Bolton Jewellers (www.hooperbolton.co.uk) for their donations, I really appreciate it!

Back to work this morning, had a busy day finding time to contact more clients to ask for sponsorship. My aim has been to reach £2.5k by Friday but it's going to be tight, so sent another email around friends and work for a second big push. I did just check the totals and a lot of the girls at work have come good (must be payday soon!), I'm really grateful, thanks so much everyone at the racecourse.


Went to the gym after work for just over an hour and then had to treat myself to chicken fajitas!

There's also been talks of ITV news to come and film me a few times within the next few weeks, which is great news.

I had a day off work today to do a few jobs; those were all finished by 10am so it was off to the gym! Had a good 2 hour session there; weights, rowing, cycling and swimming. I am absolutely shattered but it does feel good to get so into it. Decided I'm going to go to the gym at least 4 (!) times a week.

Cotswold Life (cotswold.greatbritishlife.co.uk) contacted me today to arrange for an interview and a photoshoot. The interview's planned for Thursday and the photo shoot at Nigel T-D's yard on Tuesday, to be published in the March issue. Really excited about this!

I felt I had quite a lazy weekend and I felt I've really got to step-up my game and get really into this fitness training. I'm still quite overwhelmed with The Tote's generosity, BUT I do still want to raise £5k on my own. Today I'm on £1079. I also cheekily emailed my clients at work asking for donations, they've all given me great responses so far but no donations so far. I know I've got to keep pushing for results though!

I had another piece of great news today; local ladies' stores have offered me clothing to model in a photo shoot for the Echo's Weekend magazine! It's really great to get so much support.

Tried to keep up the fitness this evening by playing netball with my friends in a local league; 1st defeat of the season but still a great workout.

I've had 2 days of no exercise at all, which has been great. I was working yesterday and today has been a day for seeing friends. But I am actually looking forward to getting back to it all tomorrow, fitness too.

A 5.30am start, the earliest morning yet. I rode the first lot from about 7.15am for about an hour. Had a really nice horse who worked with me really well; I had to ride him up the last furlong a bit but I felt good after it.

Met with Kate from Kate Parker PR (www.kateparkerstyle.com) to discuss some media opportunities; Kate works very closely with local press and her PR experience is second to none, so I'm incredibly grateful she's helping me out.

After the early morning, the day got better too, I had a call from Chris at The Tote (www.totesport.com) earlier saying that whatever sponsorship I'd asked for, they think I've probably been given, I just had to wait for the email confirmation.

Spent the rest of the day 99% sure that they'd approved the whole £5k as we asked. But then when the email arrived to confirm it, I still couldn't believe it! I'm so excited! It's the best news and really great of them; now, I can concentrate on riding.

My body has stopped aching altogether and I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's riding session. I did have my day of rest today, no exercise at all but really back to it tomorrow!

My sponsorship is really looking up and I'm currently on about £875, only about £125 off of my £1000 target for 5pm tomorrow. BIG thanks to Hannah, Mary and Vicky at my favourite shoe shop; Keith Scarrott Shoes (www.keithscarrott.co.uk) who all donated to the cause today.

The other half is out with the boys so it makes it easy for an early night again.

I was asleep by 9.15pm last night and I slept right through till 7.30am. But I wasn't feeling achey today, thank goodness.

The Echo had my piece on page 14 of today's issue along with a photo that was take Monday, it was a really good article: READ HERE

When I finished work today, I went to The Cheltenham Chase Hotel gym and had my first Physical Training (PT) session; it was hard but I did feel better for doing it. Though I did have sausage and mash for dinner and treated myself to a Wispa for doing well so far!

The fundraising is going well, this evening I am on £650. My friend, Sophie, emailed all of our close girlfriends to give them a push into doing their sponsorship. Come on girls!

It was a 6am start this morning, with really not a lot of sleep!

Was at Nigel Twiston-Davies' for 7am and on the gallops by 7.20am. I was on the Steady-Eddie horse again and met with professional jockey David England (www.nigeltwistondavies.co.uk/DavidEngland.html) and he gave me some tips on riding. We did did 2 canters and then it was back to the yard and off to work for 9am; had to get changed at my desk!

Nigel Twiston-Davies (right) and another win!

I'm exhausted but alive, even though my work schedule is fairly busy at the moment AND I have to get drum up some sponsorship. Early night, I think.

Woke up this morning still slightly sore from riding Saturday morning, but looking forward to riding out again tomorrow. The press release for the race came out this morning on Sky Sports (HERE) and the Racing Post.

I had BBC Radio Gloucestershire call this morning, wanting to do a small interview with Steve Kitchen on Drive time (www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d77j). It was so nerve-racking but I was quite pleased with how it went in the end.

The Gloucestershire Echo also called me whilst I was at work; it was good because then they could come and take some photographs of me on and off the course. The article should be in the Wednesday paper, hopefully and really create some interest. My parents also started the ball rolling on my Just Giving page and donated today: http://www.justgiving.com/Chloe-Bowkett

But some of the best news was that I've been offered FREE gym membership and 2 personal training sessions a week by the lovely people at The Cheltenham Chase Hotel (right). Which is brilliant and I'm going to start Wednesday.

Ow. Woke up with really aching arms and shoulders this morning. The riding yesterday definitely woke up the muscles I don't use!

Decided to have a lazy day and try not to stress too much, so went to my parent's for lunch! Really back to it tomorrow, though.

Had a 7am wake-up call this morning to be at Nigel Twiston-Davies' yard for 8am. That's dedication.

The first horse I went out on was a bit of a steady-Eddie and I felt happy with my first 2 canters. The second horse, though, was slightly more lively and pulled at the reins more. But Fergal (from the yard) was with me checking I was okay and at the end was happy with me to come back on Tuesday, which is great.

I came home to get into the spirit of things watched the racing at Kempton; in which Kauto Star was defeated by Long Run in the King George VI.

Very excited about riding out tomorrow morning.

Last night, I also bit the bullet and concentrated on putting together sponsorship groups; family, friends, work colleagues, local companies etc. Got some targets I am hoping to get from each group, if things go well. Trying to get organised early on.

Quiet evening at home now, relaxation and an early night to get ready for an early one tomorrow!

I had a chat with Edward Gillespie (below), the managing director of Cheltenham Racecourse (www.cheltenham.co.uk). We discussed the which companies to approach and how for sponsorship. It's a big amount of money to ask for, but my worries have been settled a bit now. I'm confident now that I can meet the £5000 entry fee, fingers crossed!

I also contacted National Hunt trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies' (www.nigeltwistondavies.co.uk) head groom today. I asked about riding out for some practise and they said they were happy to have me, which was brilliant of them. I start at 8am on Saturday; very early for a weekend!

I couldn't sleep at all last night; just thinking about the race. It's only 9 weeks tomorrow.

I really have got to get moving with finding somewhere to ride out and get training. Also, sponsorship! Very important obviously.

I have also been given a mentor to help with my training; Victoria Schlesinger (left), who is a professional jockey and PR consultant (http://twitter.com/vschlesinger).

I just had the greatest news, that I've been waiting and waiting for:

I have been chosen to ride in the St. Patrick's Day Derby at Cheltenham Racecourse. It's an annual charity race (which is for Cancer Research UK) and this year it will take place on March 17th.

I'm so excited, but I've been told that I've got to keep quiet until a press release has been released next week. I have told my parents though!