We all need a break sometimes, to unwind and recharge the batteries and prepare for he rigours of the season ahead. The horses have all had about six weeks but their trainer is not quite as fortunate ! Nevertheless we have just returned from a brilliant week in Portugal, 19 members of the family from 3 generations and no rows or fallouts !
Terrified Trainer !
The above was taken at a nearby water park, which the children loved and I succeeded in burning my bald patch ! My first round of Golf in several years was great fun and even prompted me to dust off my set of clubs here on my return, quite when I will find time to play is anyones guess !
Team Photo....
All the horses were in good form when we got home and the winter string have just started cantering again. The recent sales purchases are coming on very well and will soon be looking for new owners ! They should certainly know their stuff by the Open Day on August 28th !
This morning Antonia and I were given a fascinating tour of the Loughborough University sports facilities (one of the top 5 sports development Universities in the World) by point to point enthusiast Tim Garfield who is also the Deputy Director of Sport. We were able to see some potential 2012 Olympians training in the amazing 110m long indoor athletics track, they have even laid one lane in the same surface that will be used at the games next year so that the athletes can get used to it (apparently it is firmer than a conventional training track) Perhaps an area in which equine trainers could experiment ?
The Cricket facilities are outstanding with bowling machines that can mimic the worlds top bowlers whilst showing videos of them in action, thus enabling (in theory at least !) the England batsmen to know what to expect. Apparently the Australians are still a little behind with the technology which is heartening to know.
There were many other areas of huge interest, all trying to eek out that final extra bit of performance that can make the difference between winning and losing or even Olympic Gold or nothing. We have a few ideas as to how to adapt some of these techniques for our equine friends here at North Lodge…interesting times ahead…..
We have our first runner for a while at Worcester tomorrow when Rebel Flag takes the stage in a 2m handicap hurdle, he has been working well and is reportedly in good physical shape by Antonia who has just given him a pre race massage….lucky chap !
Bye for now….
