Thursday, September 21, 2017

Book: Life as I Know It




Summary: Michelle Payne rode into history as the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. She and her 100-to-1 local horse Prince of Penzance took the international racing world by surprise but hers was no overnight success story. Michelle was first put on a horse aged four. At five years old her dream was to ride in the Melbourne Cup and win it. By seven she was doing track work.

All of the ten Payne children learned to ride racehorses but Michelle has stayed the distance. She has ridden the miles, done the dawn training, fallen badly and each time got back on the horse. So when she declared that anyone who said women couldn't compete in the industry could 'get stuffed', the nation stood up and cheered.

What I Thought: I really enjoyed this. She went to my kids school and I drive past her dad's place all the time so it was definitely a "Ballarat" book which makes it relatable. She was a bit blunt at times though...


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