ENGLISH TEXTS
PONEYS
� PAGE 106
A DAY WITH...
By Mélodie Janvier
Audrey, the stable manager, Gaëlle, President of“ Poneys au Galop du Sud-Est,” and a few youngsters are bustling around. Everything must be ready for tomorrow’ s race meeting in Cavaillon.
ÉCURIE DU BOSQUET, LANÇON-DE-PROVENCE, BOUCHES-DU-RHÔNE,
Saturday, March 22 5:30 PM Under unusually gloomy weather for the region, all hands are on deck. The stable is sending 11 ponies to compete tomorrow, so no detail can be overlooked. Everyone has their role: Audrey, Chloé, and Marie take care of the ponies— they all must go through the wash bay. Legs are scrubbed until they shine! Then comes grooming: tails, bridles, every detail is taken care of. Gaëlle handles the equipment, safety is no joke for the President. Everything is inspected: each bridle is examined in detail— buckles, bit straps, reins, and a bit of tape“ just in case.” The saddles get the same treat-
ment: girths, billets, stirrup leathers, and stirrups are checked. The gear is packed. The racing silks and prizes are ready. As for the ponies, it’ s time to spend a good night in their stalls so they’ re fresh for tomorrow.
Sunday, March 23 8:30 AM. Everyone is up and ready. Audrey assigns tasks: Chloé is in charge of Coca and Deudora, Marie of Bayla. Alexandra, the mom, and Lola, her daughter, pamper Gaya- brushing, cleaning hooves- and loading is done in size order. Wouldn’ t want the little ones to get squished by the big guys! At 9:30, the truck hits the road to Cavaillon— it’ s just a 30-minute drive. Some ponies get another rinse before going into the stalls; a small“ incident” in the truck can leave marks, especially when the ponies— Cartouche, Bayla, and Maybee— are gray …
11:00 am Time for the track walk Wearing boots, they set off for 1,000 meters. Gaëlle, both President and race steward, reminds everyone:“ The priority is your safety and that of your teammates. No sudden lane changes, be aware of your surroundings, and have fun. Why do we walk the track? To spot any issues— so look down and watch where you’ re stepping.” At the finish post, a fun moment: Marvin Gran- din, one of the top jockeys in the South-East, joins the crew for a souvenir photo.
12:30 am Gaëlle hands out saddle cloths with race numbers. More grooming, braiding, hoof cleaning. The ponies are clean— now the riders get dressed: tights, breeches, undershirts, boots, silks, and of course, helmet and safety vest. Whip? Not allowed— it’ s all about enjoyment. Time to bridle and saddle the ponies. Parents and Audrey are busy. Gaëlle waits for the stewards’ green light to confirm race time. Laura, Gino’ s mom, hurriedly sews a button back onto a racing shirt. The ponies come out of the stalls, walk a bit and the jockeys mount up. Parents and riders from other races lead the ponies while Audrey and some volunteers ensure the timing is right so they don’ t disrupt the trotter heats. Gaëlle calls:“ we’ re pushing back 5 minutes.”
1:25 pm The starters for the first race enter the track 1:35 pm, and they’ re off- 600 meters of racing! At the finish line, Gino wins on Coca, followed by Lilou on Hello, and Guillia on Express. Everyone heads to the weigh-in. Gino, Coca, Laura, Brigitte, and Christian( Scandella) pose for a photo. The ponies from the first race go for a wash while the next starters get ready: re-
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