Post by Millie on Nov 13, 2012 9:23:33 GMT -5
TAP DANCING
LIVIN' THE JAZZ RIDDEN BY JOSH VILLE
LIVIN' THE JAZZ RIDDEN BY JOSH VILLE
Josh Ville was the newest member of the Oak Hill staff team. And Jaz was the newest arrival to the Oak Hill racing string. So it seemed only fitting that Josh should be Jax's jockey, plus the pair seemed to get along well. It was planned that Jax would run in the Exhillaration Stakes in July week 4. This would be more to get Jax out on the track again more than anything, after the short break that he has had. The main goal for Josh and Jax was the July Juvenille Faceoff in August week 1 and they had their eyes set on first place.[/size]
Jax pranced excitedly down the track, his head tossed upwards and he snorted loudly. Josh sat quietly in the saddle and allowed Jax to preceed down the rail in his own manner. It seemed better to allow Jax to harmlessly parade down the track, rather than to fight with him to force him to walk down like a riding school pony. Josh felt that by allow Jax to prance down the track like this it got Jax in the frame of mind for racing and worked him up just in the right way before a race.
Josh urged Jax forward into a trot. Jax tossed down his head towards the floor and lept forward into a fast trot. Josh eased Jax back a little and softened his hands on the reins to try to relax Jax a little. After a while Jax settled into a slower rhythm and softened his mouth on the bit. Josh sat quietly once Jax did so and allowed him to make his way around the rail. Josh was a good match for Jax as he knew just when to be tell him what to do and just when to let Jax be Jax.
After a little trot around the track Josh pushed Jax forwards into a canter. Excitedly, Jax leapt up into the air and cow kicked out towards the centre of the track. Jax! Calm it lad! Josh warned the energetic young colt. Sometimes, it was hard to believe Jax was only two years old. He oozed confidence and was not afraid to put up a fight against any horse, no matter how fierce the competitor. Jax had settled into a quick, forward going canter. He was a little restless to get going, but he was responsive and Josh didn't mind a little spirit in a horse. Infact he liked it, he felt that some stables who used methods to train horses that Josh didn't agree with could almost break a horse's spirit and the horses ended up like midless zombies. Jax was a perfect example of what Josh liked in a horse. He was spirtited, confident, unafraid, he was there and he wanted everyone to know it!
Josh stood in the stirrups and pushed Jax into a gallop. The fiery colt pricked his ears and shot off into a gallop. Josh reined the colt back into a slower, more relaxed gallop. Jaxed reluctantly slowed and after a minute or so settled quietly and happily into a nice rhythm. Today was just about Jax stretching his legs and letting off a bit of steam before the Exhilaration Stakes later on in the week. Josh and Jax would cover two furlongs in gallop, the length of the straight side. The starting post was quickly approaching as Jax came off of the bend and thundered out onto the straight.
3..2..1! Jax stormed past the starting post. Josh allowed him to have his head a little and run himself as he wanted. The colt gripped to the inner rail tightly and fixed his concentration on the track ahead. His hooves moved quickly and tore up the dirt beneath them. Josh sat quietly in the saddle as he was happy with how Jax was running and he thought he was taking everything perfectly in his stide. Jax flew by the one furlong marker.
For the final furlong of their run Josh wanted to blast Jax down the track and really make him go for it. Josh crouched low in the saddle and Jax responded immediately. He knew what was coming before it was even asked. Josh gave him a reassuring urge forward and Jax leapt into action. His neck stretched out as he became quicker and quicker with every stride. Jax was concentrating immensly and this could be seen as it paid off when he flew past the two furlong post in a great time.
Josh looked at his watch and smiled. If he could pull something like this off come race day then the rest of the field should be in for a run for their money. Jax had everything, passion, ability and fight. Josh was looking very much forward to Saturday, race day. Both Josh and Jax needed to prove themselves at Oak Hill, both being new boys, and race day was their perfect chance.