Ambrose Princess!

Right, so this would be the entry where I promised I'd tell you all what horse I'm riding. I was thinking maybe I should wait a bit longer, though? No, don't worry! I wouldn't do that. I've already had stacks of people tweeting me (http://twitter.com/chloebowkett) asking what she's called.

The horse I'll be racing is a 6 year-old called Ambrose Princess (details from the Racing Post found HERE) trained by the well-known Michael Scudamore (details here). Huge thanks go to the very generous owners the Chris Coley (http://www.chriscoleyracing.co.uk/) and the YesNoWaitSorries Racing Syndicate, who have been so kind as to lend me their very valuable and top-notch horse to race with. It's a real thrill for me to do this on such a good horse.

I'm also going to be racing in their traditional "scrambled egg" colours of Red and Yellow, which are the colours of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) who play at the Lord's ground. The syndicate is closely involved in the MCC as well as the Gloucestershire Gipsies CC.

I'll be wearing these MCC colours

I'm so excited now. It's really, really close and everything is sorted. Just time to practise and finally ride the race for Cancer Research UK! Just 2 weeks to go.

Have to admit I woke up early this morning and dashed out to the newsagents for a copy of the Echo! More accurately, the 'Weekend' supplement with the styling session at the racecourse in it.

I'm really pleased with it; the outfits look great and the backgrounds that we shot against look spectacular. For those, I have to thank stylist Kate Parker (www.kateparkerstyle.com) and photographer Spencer McPherson (www.allintheimage.co.uk), who are not only incredibly talented at what they do and have become great friends, but are giving up their time to help Cancer Research UK.

Here are a few pics from the shoot:

 

Hope you like them, had such a fun time doing the shoot.

I also rode the mystery horse today! She's really good and I really enjoyed riding out on her; felt comfortable straight away, so that's brilliant. BUT I'm not going to tell you about her just yet. You'll have to wait for the next blog entry! You've all seen enough fun stuff for one day.

Thanks so much for all your continuing support.

 Rode out early this morning and had a really good time. Completely relaxed; of course, it's much easier now the mornings are getting brighter and slightly warmer. The views are really spectacular too, which helps!

I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's test ride on the horse I will be racing on. No nerves at all, which is a vast improvement compared to the beginning of training.

Carl Llewellyn with Earth Summit

 

Next week, I've arranged to meet top jump jockey Carl Llewellyn for some racing pointers. I've met him before but I'm looking forward to picking his brain for tips that might help for the big day...every little helps!

Special thanks donations-wise go to the big boss Edward Gillespie, Managing Director of Cheltenham Racecourse, for his donation and continued support! Also, the amazing companies based in Cheltenham; Martin & Co. Jewellers (www.martin-and-co.com), the team at Wilkinson's and Promenade Antiques (www.promenadeantiques.co.uk).

It means so much to be a local girl and have you all right behind me!

The Cheltenham Chase pool (thanks for the use!)

Back to the grindstone today and the early starts! In the gym at The Cheltenham Chase (website) before work this morning to give myself a wake-up in the form of a 4k run and 3k bike ride. Certainly makes me more alert come work time!

Just had another peek at the Just Giving Page (www.justgiving.com/Chloe-Bowkett) and the totals are SO CLOSE!! I'm 95% of the way to my total target of £5000 and it would be fab if I could get there within the next week. Please do pass on the message.

Thanks so much to everyone who has already donated to Cancer Research UK, it's such a great charity and they need all the support we can give.

Think I was the most popular person at work today - but that might have something to do with bringing in the amazing cake that my friend, Tic, made (for the party last Saturday)!! Everyone loved it, and hopefully they all had a piece, none for me though! Some pictures for you to see just how well Tic did (www.thecoffeecupbakeshop.co.uk):

Went to the gym first thing this morning, as it's now 3 weeks to go (very scary) it's time to kick the fitness up another notch so I did a 4k run, a 3k cycle and weight-training. It does feel good to be proactive with it all.

Booking up as much riding as I can too; at Nigel Twiston-Davies' (www.nigeltwistondavies.co.uk) on Friday and then THE HORSE on Saturday - really ever so excited about it. 

Also, Saturday is the day my piece in 'Weekend' magazine comes out. This is one of the shoots I've enjoyed most and felt most comfortable at, so I'm just waiting for it to come out.

The charity money on my Just Giving page (www.justgiving.com/Chloe-Bowkett) is so very nearly there! Just another £400 to go! Please everyone, I know I keep asking, but please spread the word and help me out. 

Thanks to all of you for supporting me, so far.

www.cancerresearchuk.org

Rode out 1 lot this morning at the Twiston-Davies yard, but after all the the test ride on Saturday, I really cannot wait to get riding on the horse that I'm trying Saturday. I really hope it goes well, because as much as it really is all about the charity (www.cancerresearchuk.org) ...well, it would be nice to do well wouldn't it?!

I'm going to be off to my Boxercise class in a minute and I know it's going to kill me, but also that I'll feel really good afterwards! So I'm sticking with it. No pain, no gain!

Wow, had such a busy weekend! The big charity fund raising party on Saturday night was a huge success. We managed to raise over £400 for Cancer Research UK, due to the kindness and generosity of friends, colleagues and clients; we all had so much fun, the party eventually ended at 6am.

HUGE thanks go to those who donated to the charity raffle: Hugh Wilkinson (who managed to find the biggest piece of confectionery I have ever seen in my life!), Nicola Geoghegan, Tic Mylod from the Coffee Cup Bakery, Rod at Banners & Balloons for his beautiful balloon decorations and Toby Stoate from Stoate & Bishop Printers for their amazing life-size banner posters of me (in full jockey gear!). And of course everyone who turned up and donated just by being there.

Here are some photos of the evening which I thought you'd like to see!

Me with one of my amazing banners from Stoate & Bishop Printers Ltd!

A group shot of all the glamorous girls.

L-R: Nicola Geoghegan, Hannah Spreadbury, Jo Evans

L-R: Jo Evans, Sophie Scarrott (Campaign Manager!), Maxine O'Fee

L-R: Rory Lawson, Flora Wilkinson

L-R: Marie Staddon, Me, Mum; Sally Bowkett

L-R: Nicola Geoghegan, Lotti Wilkinson

Have a really busy couple of days coming up. Very excited for later tonight with the charity fundraiser my friend, Sophie, is laying on at her house. It promises to be really good, with quite a few people going. Great opportunity to get glammed up; after all, I seem to spend most of time in jodhpurs now!

Having said that, unfortunately, I haven't had time to ride out today as I had a really early start at work. I have to admit it's nice to have a break, but I'll be making up for it tomorrow! Can't afford to get complacent now, as it's UNDER 4 weeks to go. So tomorrow, after I recover from the big party, I'm planning a FULL work out session, with gym training, a 4k run and swimming to top it off.

St Patrick's Day at the Festival 2010

I've got some really brilliant news; I now have a horse! It looks to be really promising and I'm going to test ride next Saturday. Hopefully, it's going to be just what I'm after - it certainly looks it on paper. It's such a relief; finally, after all the faffing about and trying to keep my patience, something has turned up - just what I had hoped for. Roll on St Patrick's Day!

Woke up early and managed to get to the yard to ride out 1 lot before work. felt really good as I am getting more confident and having to push the horses to test my ability and really ride them.

The fund raising it still going incredibly well. I'm 775 of the way there, but March is getting so close! Really please do spread the word about donations, it's a fantastic cause: www.justgiving.com/Chloe-Bowkett.

Really looking forward to tomorrow night's fund raising raffle/party. My friend Sophie is kindly donating her house for the party and we've had so many people who have said they'd love to attend. The raffle prizes include cakes (always a winner) and it promises to be such a fun night; makes a change from early morning runs!! Entrance is £5, message me (http://twitter.com/chloebowkett) if you'd like to come!

Cheltenham Racecourse in full Festival swing!

There have also been some very exciting whispers about maybe having found a horse to ride for the race, so it seems that everything is starting to really come together now. Which is a bit of a relief, considering I'll be competing in front of 60,000 people - might need a horse for that!

Had a wonderful day yesterday, doing a photo shoot for the Gloucestershire Echo's 'Weekend' Magazine. It was all shot at the Racecourse, which was fun and a bit strange in equal measure because I work there!

I was styled by PR and stylist Kate Parker (www.kateparkerstyle.com) and Spencer McPherson (www.allintheimage.co.uk) did the photos again. I'm starting to get an old hand at this!! The lovely clothes I was wearing were from local stores on the High Street such as Reiss and Hobbs and designers like NW3. The shoes were from the always fantastic Keith Scarrott Shoes (www.keithscarrott.co.uk).

We had some great backgrounds for the shots; especially in the Champagne Bar and the Weighing Room. It really feels so tied into the Charity Race this shoot, its got such an equine theme. I really can't wait to see the results!

The March 2011 issue of Cotswold Life (http://cotswold.greatbritishlife.co.uk) has been published! Not only is there an interview (page. 230) but I made the front portrait picture too!! I may have mentioned it, but I've been telling everyone again anyway. The photos are here:

The total on my Just Giving Sponsorship page is now on £3800, just another £1200 to go and I reach my target for Cancer Research UK!!
Thank you so much to those who have sponsored me.
Please pass on  the message and persuade people to donate generously to this great cause!

We won the Netball Finals!! I'm so pleased, we did the League and Cup double!

The Cheltenham Festival is due to kick off 4 weeks today! I absolutely love my job and especially at this time of year - it's the most amazing, buzzing atmosphere to work in and I'm really proud to be a part of such a fantastic team st Cheltenham Racecourse. All the departments have been working flat out around the clock to ensure that this year's will be better than ever.



Cheltenham Festival 2010



Everyone's still asking if I have found a horse to race with, but at this stage in time, nothing has been confirmed as of yet. I've been offered some great horses to ride from friends in the racing world but a final decision hasn't been made but be assured I'll keep you posted!

I haven't done any riding out today, I've arranged that for tomorrow. However, tonight is my new Tuesday night ritual, the Boxercise class! I've managed to rope in a good-natured friend, so she can feel the pain with me. Not sure how nice she'll be to me afterwards!

Trying to finalise details for the Fundraiser I'm holding on Saturday night. I think it's going to be a good alternative way to sponsorship, to get people to part with their cash (and have fun as well). Entry is £5 and drinks are all going to be £1 all night. We're holding a raffle too; prizes have generously been donated by the Tote (http://www.totesport.com/) and The Coffee Cup (http://www.thecoffeecupbakeshop.co.uk/).

Everyone's invited, so please message me or tweet me (http://twitter.com/#!/chloebowkett) for details if you'd like to come along. Dress code is GLAM!!!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!

Unfortunately despite the Valentine's mood, it was back to work today. I did manage to get myself up and going by visiting the gym this morning. Ran my usual 4k, it was a hard slog today but it doesn't half wake you up.



Some of the other girls from Team Scarfe last season!



We have our netball finals tonight and it's getting tense. It's now less about the exercise and more about the winning, so come on Team Scarfe! I am dragging the other half along to watch as well, what a great way to spend Valentine's for him!!



I am definitely feeling so much fitter and toned from these last 4 weeks of training,only another 4 to go...I doubt I can keep it up after the race though.

Thanks for sponsorship go to Judy and Joey Murphy for the amazing contributions on my Just Giving page.

Really tragic news about those poor horses who died at Newbury yesterday, my thoughts go out to the trainers, owners and jockeys: Article Here

 



Marching Song: One of the horses who died at Newbury



Was up early again this morning to meet with the photographer and stylist for the 'Weekend' photo shoot on Wednesday - no rest for the wicked! On the bright side, I will look very well groomed when I collapse from exhaustion!

 

Made the most of the rest of the day at home; just relaxing and enjoying the quiet. Also, I have to say thank you for the support and generous sponsorship from Barry and Paulo at Knowledge is King (http://www.knowledgeisking.co.uk/).

 

A Saturday morning with an early start is not good, but when it's 6.00am like today, it should be banned! But despite the early hour it was a beautiful day and I really enjoyed it. It did give me the opportunity to ride out 3 horses; Frontier Dancer, Major Malarkey and one other.

Dancer was a bit agitated today and pulled very hard, at times it was difficult to hold her, but I managed it and it's little things like this that give me confidence. If I can handle a twitchy horse now, then with a bit of practise, nothing should phase me come the race.

Finished about half nine, which meant I could get home in time for a well-deserved (and quickly eaten) breakfast! Bit of pampering is in order this afternoon, so I've booked myself in to have my hair done. Then off out this evening for a well-deserved girl's night out!

After all the fundraising mania from yesterday, I went back riding out this morning on Rhum at NTD's yard. The riding is still going well and I can feel myself improving. 

Rhum really didn’t seem himself and so when I finished and had my walk with Fergal & Nigel, I was sent with him to the vet at the Top Yard for him to have a Tracheal Wash (wash out his trachea with saline; sounds horrible but necessary!). I really hope he will be better tomorrow. 

Planning to pop into the gym on the way home from work, to see if I can slip in a 4K run. As you do!

I have received an incredibly generous cheque this morning from my client, Hampdens (www.hampden.co.uk) in London, so big thank you to Nigel Wood for arranging this.
 
And some very exciting news; it was also announced this week that I received the Employee of the Quarter Award!! That takes into account everyone working for all 14 Jockey Club racecourses! I am so over the moon, things seem to definitely be going my way this year.

It may be Saturday tomorrow, but it's back to the stables in the morning to ride 4 lots; another very early start! The race looks a lot closer since February started!

Little exercise, but loads of organising going on. Especially today, as we are sorting out things for the Charity Fundraising event that ties into the race, next weekend. 

We have so much planned for it and amongst the amazing prizes for the raffle (which I'm really quite excited about!), thanks go to Stuart Holmes (www.stuartholmes.co.uk) for donating vouchers. If any of you have items you'd be willing to donate for this great cause, we'd be so thankful! Please contact me at Cheltenham Racecourse 01242 513014.

I have so much more donation thanks to give; I have received sponsorship from Auntie Joan, Mike Dey at The Retreat (www.theretreatwinebar.com) and Colin Bridgen. The totals are looking good!!

Huge thanks goes to Ben Stoate at SPA Colour (www.spacolour.com) , for offering to embroider all of my riding gear, which is a huge deal and such a wonderful gesture (that's a big headache sorted!). Also big thank you to Toby Stoate at Stoate and Bishop Printers (www.stoateandbishop.co.uk)  for arranging pop up banners for my fundraising evening. 

All of this support is just fantastic. There aren't enough thanks to give!

Aching all over today; Boxercise class last night was intense and a BIG workout but it was really great. You can feel exactly how it works you out, I'll definitely go again. Once I've recovered, that is!

Had an amazing surge on my Just Giving site (www.justgiving.com/Chloe-Bowkett) now up to £3119, which I am so grateful for. Thanks this time go to my amazing clients who are being so supportive: Brightwells Auctioneers (www.brightwells.com),Tracey Allison, Richard Harmer, Kevin D'Arcy for G4SSecurity, Midcounties Co-Op and Shaun, the Cotwsold Life photographer!

My colleagues too, Michael Anderson and Jo Winnel, the Banqueting Manager. Thanks so much. It really gives me a buzz to keep at the good work, when I see the total totting up! Bring on the Boxercise classes!!

Back riding today and it was a beautiful morning up on the gallops at Naunton. It really feels like Spring has arrived and the better weather and lighter mornings have given me a real spring in my step and motivated me to work even harder this week.



Frontier Dancer



I rode Frontier Dancer on work, 1 x canter, 2 x flat out. Nigel TD (http://www.nigeltwistondavies.co.uk/) had a quick word with me and said I'm doing well, which has really buoyed my confidence no end.

Decided to try something different exercise-wise (to stop it getting boring!) so I've got a Boxercise class tonight at The Cheltenham Chase Hotel.

Just checked the sponsorship tally (http://www.justgiving.com/Chloe-Bowkett) and funds are at £2515. Which is great, but still only halfway! Please, please pass the word on.

More great news is that I made The Jockey Club Employee of the Quarter! Which is amazing as it includes all staff over 14 racecourses. I have my lovely boss, Sue, to thank for that.

Spoke to Kate Parker (http://kateparkerstyle.com/) last night about next week's shoot for the Echo's Weekend magazine. Very excited for it, sounds amazing; having hair and make up done on Wednesday morning. The hair dresser is coming to the shoot too, name of Gary! Like Jordan/Katie Price's Gary!! That's just tickled me for the rest of the day, I may need an early night!

I had some great news over the weekend. After Jonathon Herbert's fab piece in the Glos. Echo on Saturday, some very generous people have come forward with possibilities of horses to me to ride in the race. Very exciting but I'll have to be patient and see what happens.

I shouldn't do but I'm letting myself get really worried about the horse thing; I spoke to Edward Gillespie this afternoon and he's calmed me down, told me to keep up with what I'm doing and we'll sort the horse out later.

One of my fellow jockeys, Lorna Fowler has confirmed in the press  she's riding the Henry Cecil (http://www.henrycecil.com/) trained Plato which is owned by the Niarchos Family. She's a very lucky girl! It's a fantastic 4 year old with a great track record. Must remember to congratulate her on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/chloebowkett).

Henry Cecil, Horse Trainer

I've spent the afternoon trying to organise my kit that I'm going to race in. I need to have a jockey polo to wear under my silks with an embroidered collar, Racesafe breeches with the TOTE logo on each thigh and the coccyx. I've just discovered it's going to cost £158.50! OMG. I also need goggles and boots to race in. There's just so much to sort,  in so little time.

More exercise with a late netball match tonight but we won! WHOOP WHOOP!! Well done girls. We won the league in style - 8 points clear of our nearest rival. Manchester United have nothing on us.

Weekend still means no rest for the wicked. Another gym trip this morning, to make up for the photo shoots. This time it was 4km run and weights to help those muscles keep growing!

Had a wonderful article published today in the Gloucestershire Echo. Jonathon Herbert, the racing editor (http://twitter.com/#!/JHhorseracing) wrote it up and hopefully it will really help me out in my search for a horse! Read it here: http://tinyurl.com/4w5npno.

Just finished watching the races for today and cheering on friends and acquaintances! Willy Twiston-Davies (http://twitter.com/#!/willy_twiston), son of Nigel T-D, had his first competitive ride on the horse Baby Run today at Wetherby. He was excellent and won; the first of many, I should think. Also, Jonny England (brother of David, who's been giving me riding tips) came in 3rd, beating big odds of 20-1. Good day all round, lots of cheering from the sofa!

Baby Run (trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies)

"Willie Twiston-Davies celebrating 1st winner on racecourse proper as Baby Run 

wins at Wetherby; T-D stable back to form yday and today" 

Cornelius Lysaght - BBC Sports journalist

 via Twitter.

Another early morning and riding out at the yard. A couple of canters then out on the gallops. I feel so much more comfortable on a horse than I have done in a while. Enjoying it a lot, even with sleep deprivation!

Also took the opportunity to really hit the gym. The muscles are building; I'm quite impressed with them myself! Got a couple of pics for you to know what I'm on about and let you know your wonderful donations have some results already!:

More press was done today; the level of local support has been fantastic. I think I've been in more photo shoots than I have the gym recently! Today it was for Cotswold Life (http://cotswold.greatbritishlife.co.uk), they wanted to take a photo for the opening full-page, portrait shot in the magazine.

Shaun, who took the other CL photos, was in charge again; I was dressed in my father's red and black racing colours. I think it really looks great, they've done a brilliant job. Hopefully it will reach a lot of people and encourage them to donate!

I also have BIG thanks to give to David Savage at Excelerate. he sent me a huge cheque and really bumped me along donations-wise. It's easier to be motivated when you can see the results like that!

Early, early start again today (this is becoming a habit!) just 5 hours sleep and then back to work.

No training today, so I can have a day- off on the fitness front. My JustGiving page is looking really great; I am currently on £2324, so nearly halfway there with 6 weeks to go until the big race.

I may just have some very exciting news for the race, as well!! It's a very long shot, but there's a possibility that I've found a horse for the race! I telephoned my friend and successful racehorse owner, Tony Murphy from Intersky Racing (www.interskygroup.com) to ask him for advice. After all he owned Intersky Falcon who was 3rd in the 2004 Champion Hurdle; I though he must have some ideas!! A friend of his has been generous enough to offer their horse, but I'm not sure it meets the really strict criteria:

Intersky Falcon

• The horse must have run at least twice under the recognised Rules of Racing.
• All horses must be rated: 0-125 for hurdlers or 0-85 for flat horses.

I also have to supply my own equipment, which is something to deal with when I can. At the moment the horse is trained in Epsom. Not much, but it's the first positive lead I've had finding a horse.

Had a great ride this morning on Dancer, had one canter and then 2 works - I was flat to the board! Shaun from Cotswold Life came and took some action shots of me on the gallops, then some still images as well. Can't wait to see how they turn out. Also, I've been set up for the portrait picture on the 2nd page of the March Issue of CL (www.cotswold.greatbritishlife.co.uk), the pics will be done Thursday!

After riding, went to the gym and ran 4km; a long slog but I felt really good after it.

After sending my letters out Thursday, I rushed home to see what was in my letterbox and I had £320.00! £300 from my Uncle Tony and Auntie Shirley, £20 from Chun Kong at The Mayflower Restaurant (www.themayflowerrestaurant.co.uk). An extra £25 also came from my friend Maxine. Thank you all so much for your support, let's keep it coming!

Kate Parker (www.kateparkerstyle.com) rang to discuss a photo shoot for the Echo's Weekend magazine on Wednesday 16th February; Stuart Holmes (www.stuartholmes.co.uk) has really kindly offered to do my hair and make-up and we're using the racecourse as a backdrop. Spencer McPherson, who also did the Cotswold Style shoot, is taking the photos again and it will be in the 19th February issue.