Excerpt From My Book: Phillipines 4:13
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This is an excerpt from the introduction to my book, “Philippines 4:13.” This book is the story of my life as a young teenager to my life now, currently in training to become a jockey.
Being a jockey is one of the easiest things to do. Right? All they have to do is get on a horse, ride it around an oval in under two minutes, get off and wait for the next one. Wrong. Being a jockey is one of the hardest and dangerous jobs out there. Weighing at 120 pounds and less, they guide a 1200 pound young Thoroughbred around a track at breakneck speeds, making spilt second decisions that determine their outcome in the race. Being a jockey is not all fame and fortune. Being a jockey is a lifestyle, a way of life, living and breathing horses. Every single day they take risks and they never know if it will be their last time getting on a racehorse. Beyond all the dangers, the risks, the pain, and rigorous lifestyle, that is what I am going to do. I am going to be a jockey.
This is the story of me
When I think about when I decided to be a jockey, I remember it being nothing near extraordinary. There are always those stories of jockeys who grew up around horses or their parents were involved in some way with the industry. They have role models, people to look up to and admire. For me, I first started being around horses at the age of 11. No one in my family was involved with horses, so everything I was learning about them in general and about riding them was all completely new for them and me. After a few riding lessons, I decided to look up more about horses. I don’t remember exactly how it all happened, but I eventually ended up reading about famous racehorses like Man O’ War, Seabiscuit, Ruffian, Secretariat, and Affirmed. I read articles about them and watched all the YouTube videos I could find. There was something about the sport of horse racing that drew me in. At the time I didn’t know what it was. All I knew was that I wanted to know more. A few months went by and I moved from famous racehorses to famous jockeys.
During those years no one had ever asked me the question, “Why do you want to be a jockey?”
So when it came time to get ready to graduate college and I started filling out applications that asked, “Why do you want to be a jockey,” to be honest, I really had to think. Deep down inside me, I knew the reasons why I wanted to be one, but I had to think about how I would write it down for the “entire world” to see. A few days went by and I never filled out that question yet. You could say that I put it off. Then a friend of mine emailed me and asked, “So why do you want to be a jockey?” After reading that email, instantly I thought to myself, “Oh, great what am I going to say. Is God trying to tell me something here?” I couldn’t just ignore the email, so I decided to write my response:
“Why do I want to be a jockey? To be honest no one has ever asked me that question before. Go figure. Well, for as long as I can remember I have always been captivated by the world of horse racing. It is truly a world of its own. The thrill, excitement, passion, risk, competition, skill, love and happiness the sport has and brings to people. I love the idea of waking up every single day and going to work doing something I love, truly living and breathing horses. It doesn’t matter to me if I am not the most successful rider out there or I am not making enough money. Just the thought of being happy with what I am doing is satisfying enough. I love the bond jockeys have with the horses they ride. Both horse and rider working together, waiting for that one move, that one chance to make their run for the lead, hoping they will have enough to reach the ultimate goal of winning the race. The bond a jockey has with a racehorse is truly special and I want to experience that bond and passion. I want to be a jockey because of my love for horses, competition, speed and the industry as a whole. I want to spend the rest of my life, for as long as I am able, riding racehorses in a world that truly is one of a kind.”
© Copyright 2011 ChrisAntleyMemorial@morgan.ponybox.com / ChrisAntley@ponybox.com / The-Ant-Man@deviantart.com |
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Jan 23, 2011
• 3,810 views
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Madeirey
I would not want to be a jockey I think it would be to scarry! I jump instead :)
I would not want to be a jockey I think it would be to scarry! I jump instead :)
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Jan 23, 2011
• 3,807 views
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Wunderkind
Great article, I love that you referenced Phil. 4:13, Chris. It's one of the most motivational verses for me and SO true. Best wishes in your jockey career. It's something that I can't imagine doing, but I can see you succeeding in it. You have a great outlook on it--do what you love. if you shoot for the moon, you'll land among the stars :)
Great article, I love that you referenced Phil. 4:13, Chris. It's one of the most motivational verses for me and SO true. Best wishes in your jockey career. It's something that I can't imagine doing, but I can see you succeeding in it. You have a great outlook on it--do what you love. if you shoot for the moon, you'll land among the stars :)
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Jan 23, 2011
• 3,893 views
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Painted Destiny
That's so cool. I think being a jockey would be a fun and interesting experience. Well written. I would like to read more about your journey :)
That's so cool. I think being a jockey would be a fun and interesting experience. Well written. I would like to read more about your journey :)
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Jan 23, 2011
• 3,815 views
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Wanderin Boy Memorial
MOD
I love reading your work....you have to post more exerpts. Love the Phillipines 4:13 part....it's very inspirational. I've always wanted to know what it feels like to be on a thoroughbred like the jockeys, but I'd be to afraid of falling off going that fast.
I agree with Wunderkind: "if you shoot for the moon, you'll land among the stars"
Don't let anyone tell you that you can't go far, because if the sky is the limit, why are there footprints on the moon?
I love reading your work....you have to post more exerpts. Love the Phillipines 4:13 part....it's very inspirational. I've always wanted to know what it feels like to be on a thoroughbred like the jockeys, but I'd be to afraid of falling off going that fast.
I agree with Wunderkind: "if you shoot for the moon, you'll land among the stars"
Don't let anyone tell you that you can't go far, because if the sky is the limit, why are there footprints on the moon?
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Jan 23, 2011
• 3,811 views
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Rasdieren
Another Jockey on ponybox.
=D Nice to meet you.
Haha.
I've been registered to race now for 6months.
Being a jockey is a lifestyle, a way of life, living and breathing horses. - this is 100% true.
Most of my day consists of waking up early hours in the morning, Working 8-10 horses, Cooling them, Feeding them and cleaning out there stables. Then I have only 4-5 hours by myself, Which i normally use with my own horses. At 5pm, Im off to the track again, working more horses and I often dont get home till 11-11:30pm.
Were I am, There are only 3 people who are licence to work horses on the track, One of them happens to be me. Since Im the height, weight , and I race most trainers want me to ride. So i get most of the horses. The other 2 are only workers, Not jockeys.
Im the only female jockey in my town which Im proud of.
People like you asked me why Did i want to be a jockey, My answer is plain and simple.
Its the experience of the full power and speed of
Another Jockey on ponybox.
=D Nice to meet you.
Haha.
I've been registered to race now for 6months.
Being a jockey is a lifestyle, a way of life, living and breathing horses. - this is 100% true.
Most of my day consists of waking up early hours in the morning, Working 8-10 horses, Cooling them, Feeding them and cleaning out there stables. Then I have only 4-5 hours by myself, Which i normally use with my own horses. At 5pm, Im off to the track again, working more horses and I often dont get home till 11-11:30pm.
Were I am, There are only 3 people who are licence to work horses on the track, One of them happens to be me. Since Im the height, weight , and I race most trainers want me to ride. So i get most of the horses. The other 2 are only workers, Not jockeys.
Im the only female jockey in my town which Im proud of.
People like you asked me why Did i want to be a jockey, My answer is plain and simple.
Its the experience of the full power and speed of a racing thoroughbred, You never truly appreciate what this breed can do, Till you are in a head to head race.
Also the adrenalin is a pretty good reason =D haha.
But Know, I have a different question that people ask me.
"Why do I do it?"
To want something, and to do something are two total different things.
This was the question that got me.
Why do I spend hours upon hours working with these horses when sometimes not everything goes to plan.
Why risk my life?
Thats an answer that is hard to put down. And Im sure, You will be faced with the same question.
Why Do i risk my life?
Although this may be sound weird.
But racing is my life. Its the reason why I wake in the morning. The reason why I put up with broken ribs, fingers, blisters and so much more. because when you win a race you've trained so hard for. Its just worth it. Its out weighs the bad.
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Jan 23, 2011
• 4,128 views
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MontanaMountain
this is the best story i have ever read when you put your mind to it and help from god you can move the mountains!i love the verse Phillpains 4:13
this is the best story i have ever read when you put your mind to it and help from god you can move the mountains!i love the verse Phillpains 4:13
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Jan 25, 2011
• 3,834 views
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toffeelola
whilst I know that this is your dream, I am not against horse racing but I believe that this sport is different to most others, the horse is used as a tool, once it breaks, wears down or gets to old it goes to the slaughterhouse and is then replaced with another horse, often in the sport people don't think about the horses that much they think about the money and the gambling and if the horses doesn't win it doesn't get any money and off to the food factory, horses are often lost in this sport as the people are blinded by the money and the gambling and the chances, they don't think about the horses, I am not against horse racing, in fact I watch it quite often but I just think that the horses should be focused on more as a living being not a betting tool.
whilst I know that this is your dream, I am not against horse racing but I believe that this sport is different to most others, the horse is used as a tool, once it breaks, wears down or gets to old it goes to the slaughterhouse and is then replaced with another horse, often in the sport people don't think about the horses that much they think about the money and the gambling and if the horses doesn't win it doesn't get any money and off to the food factory, horses are often lost in this sport as the people are blinded by the money and the gambling and the chances, they don't think about the horses, I am not against horse racing, in fact I watch it quite often but I just think that the horses should be focused on more as a living being not a betting tool.
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56 days ago
• 3,836 views
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51 days ago
• 3,833 views
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Milly
Would love to read the whole book :D
Being a jockey is one of the hardest careers out there, the falls, the highs, the lows. It is all worth it though when you win but the breaking bones and starving yourself to anorexia much not be fun at all
Would love to read the whole book :D
Being a jockey is one of the hardest careers out there, the falls, the highs, the lows. It is all worth it though when you win but the breaking bones and starving yourself to anorexia much not be fun at all
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50 days ago
• 3,849 views
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Cowzers
I just love your articles, Chris. =]
They are so well written through and through.
I love that exerpt. ♥
I know one day you will be an amazing, successful jockey just know it. ^^
I just love your articles, Chris. =]
They are so well written through and through.
I love that exerpt. ♥
I know one day you will be an amazing, successful jockey just know it. ^^
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48 days ago
• 3,835 views
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41 days ago
• 3,805 views
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T E M P E S T
Awesome! my dream is to be a jockeyy, but for now i'm stuck in school.
Awesome! my dream is to be a jockeyy, but for now i'm stuck in school.
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Apr 4, 2011
• 3,854 views
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May 9, 2011
• 3,985 views
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