Like many amateurs with full-time jobs, I struggle with finding the time and motivation to ride during the winter months. Here in Virginia, we have fairly mild winters compared to the Northern and Mid-Western states, but I still find myself rushing home most nights to try and get a ride in before the arena freezes for the night.

I’ve been blessed with a wonderful off-the-track Thoroughbred who’s as intense about his work as I am, but if he has any more than two days off in a row, he starts to try to find new ways of injuring himself during turnout, so regular work is a must.