After what seemed an age we got Fabio tacked up (who was stood in the trailer eating hay completely oblivious to what was going on) and my Mum led him to have his tack checked while I went round to the stand where the other jockeys were to have our photos taken. The ponies were then led round the parade ring and then we were asked to mount up and then were escorted down to the start. Fabio was very keen as we trotted down and a pony next to me started bucking which made him tense up. Once at the start we rode small circles  and then were asked to approach the line, and then the flags were down.

Everyone bombed off and left me on the line as Fabio had a massive bucking fit. The two older jockeys stood on the line found it funny but by the time I got going they were quite far ahead of me. Luckily Fabio hit the nitrus and went straight into the lead, though after three furlongs he started to tire (which isn't surprising as he put a lot of effort into his bucks and catching up with the others). The winners broke off from the rest of the bunch and another girl came quite close to Fabio so I had to kick him on across the line finishing third, and we were both pretty tired by the end of it!

We then went back into the parade ring and took his saddle off and went to weigh out. Fabio seemed very pleased with himself and the went back to the trailer whilst the jockeys stayed for the presentation. Fabio won two rosettes, a box of chocolates, a pair of goggles, a lick, treats and a leadrope!  I had a great day and am gutted that I am too old to do it anymore, but it was a great experience that I will never forget!

I would like to thank the Holderness Hunt Branch and Beverley Racecourse for holding such a great event and for the fantastic prizes, Mark and Alex Chadwick for helping us on the day, Robbie for coming with us and being groom and photographer for the day (!!), but most of all a big thank you to Jacob and Emma Windsor for letting me borrow their stuff, all the advice and encouragement.