Monday 14th Feb
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.
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 four weeks of training, only another four to go…I doubt I can keep it up after the race though.
Tuesday 15th Feb
We won the Netball Finals!! I’m so pleased, we did the League and Cup double!
The Cheltenham Festival is due to kick off four 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 at Cheltenham Racecourse. All the departments have been working flat out around the clock to ensure that this year’s will be better than ever.
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!
Thursday 17th Feb
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!
The March 2011 issue of Cotswold Life 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.
Friday 18th Feb
Woke up early and managed to get to the yard to ride out one lot before work. I felt really good as I am getting more confident and having to push the horses to test my ability and really ride them.
The fundraising it still going incredibly well. I’m 77% of the way there, but March is getting so close! Really please do spread the word about donations, it’s a fantastic cause.
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!
GUIDE TO THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2011 – click here
CHLOE BOWKETT | • | Chloe Bowkett, 26, from Cheltenham, is an Events Manager at Cheltenham Racecourse. Chloe has taken part in Pony Club activities from the age of eight, is an experienced show jumper and event rider. She says: “Racing runs through my family’s blood. My father bred and owned Shylock’s Retreat, who qualified for the Grand National and the Gold Cup, after finishing second in the Foxhunter Chase at Aintree in 1988. I was in the winner’s enclosure in my buggy! My father and I bred a Pointer to Pointer who we broke in together. He is now qualified through the hunting field by myself. If you would like to sponsor Chloe or make a donation please see her fundraising page at: http://www.justgiving.com/Chloe-Bowkett
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Allison is the Publisher of Eclipse Magazine. She loves going to the Races and is learning to bet (despite being officially the worst bettor in the History of the Universe), there’s a lot more to learn…