Adventurous Ride. [Rip+Hourglass]

<sub>Michael had the colt going at a nice canter, when he heard the thudding approach of a horse's hooves. He prepared himself for the black colt to bolt and added pressure with his legs to remind the black wraith that he was here. He knew his colt all too well, he was competitive to the core and he wasn't going to take this horse passing him during his workout lightly. The black colt's ears laced back flat against his cranium as he saw a dark bay filly infringe on his space. His eyes flared to life, neck bowed powerfully, head pulled in so he could see his competition better.

The filly had the look of the Devil about her and Michael recognized immediately the horse and the rider. Ripley Marsh sat astride her hellion filly, The Devil's Hourglass and now she was talking to him? He nodded at the woman, his mind not fully engaged at the present, as he tried to prevent the black colt from outright bolting out from underneath him. He shared a hateful glare at the filly. He did not like this filly, not one bit and he fed off of her fury. She wasn't the only horse on the tracks today with a lean, mean attitude. His eyes challenged her as his crown raised. Michael checked the horse and prevented the colt from outright war. The temporary danger diverted, Michael was able to truly smile back politely at the woman and catch what she was saying.
Samhain right? He looks more racehorse like than the last time I saw him at his sale. I'm Ripley Marsh, in case you aren't aware, and you are?

Michael nodded, he remembered the day of that sale all too well. The colt had been a mere seconds from being sold, but Michael had talked Nick out of it. Samhain, though a devil to handle was still near and dear to him. He had that bond with the excitable colt, the bond that all riders strive to cultivate with their mounts. For him and Sammy, it came naturally. Samhain wasn't a vicious horse, unless challenged. He was normally just a high energy horse, but if he got around the right horses, his Augusto, Xenophon and Admiral lined heritage shined through brilliantly. He was as hot as they could come, bred to be aggressive on the tracks and the fact that this was just a workout meant nothing to the black colt.

Yes, this indeed is Samhain. I'm Michael Landing, Nick's brother. He was used to adding that last part. Nick was and would always be the public spokesperson for Intrepid and Michael was more than okay with that. He wasn't the type to relish the limelight, but he still handled it well when it came his way. He knew about Ripley Marsh. The woman had turned Witch Creek into a big name again on the tracks and was making a great comeback, especially on the filly she was riding now. It's a pleasure of officially meet you and your filly in person. He'd seen the filly race and he had seen her speed, she was a great racer in the making and..he thought for a moment a good workout partner for Sammy. The colt had been bored, but as soon as Hourglass had arrived, something had sparked within the colt and he needed to fan this spark into a full blown fire.

Just taking Sammy here out for a jaunt, trying to get him awake for his races....though your filly seems to be doing that all on her own. He chuckled as he kept pressing the colt forward, preventing him from veering off into the filly aggressively.</sub>

<sub>Why have I never talked to Ripley before? he wondered to himself quietly, while he listened to her talk. She talked with and edge, a superiority that she possessed and embodied. He felt himself rising to the challenge. Samhain tossed his head powerfully, his mane flying and his irregular white blaze flashed like lightening in the sun. He was over the body language, he wanted to spring into action, a deep desire to show this filly that she wasn't the all supreme queen she was playing herself off to be. This turf was just as much his as it was hers.

There was no skin off his nose as she mentioned sweeping the turf wins from SOPS. Secretly a part of him was glad that some of the wins were now being distributed more fairly. Lord knew, that SOPS had more than enough turf trophies for multiple stables. He was glad to see someone was rising to the challenge. Michael knew he and his stable weren't far behind. His eyes shined with an approving light of the woman's success on the turf. Things were balancing out and now things need to tip his way. He flashed her a smile, almost predatory like in nature. He was perfectly fine with this woman upsetting things, it only opened more doors for everyone else.

Michael then heard Ripley comment on Fire's surprise BC win and he almost heard a touch of muse. Firebird was a sore subject for him. The Oddside son was as talented as they could come and he'd proven it to the tracks again with his win here on the GHF tracks. He hadn't fully slumped and he was determined to turn the chestnut around for the remaining career. He almost smirked, when he heard Ripley's non-subtle inquisition about where his black bay filly would be running in the BC. He was a fool if he told her. He knew exactly where she was being pointed and his eyes conveyed his knowledge, but his lips told a different story. Nick and I are still in debate about where to send her, but you can definitely count on her showing up.

And then the talking was done and a part of Michael was glad. He was past the polite chatter and banter. Both riders and horses had their competitive drives sparked and now was the time to put words to action. Michael nodded at the terms in acceptance, his face now in an eager smirk. He was ready to show her he was a jockey worth his salt, a force to be reckoned and Sammy, well...he was more than willing to challenge for his rightful place - at the top.

She didn't hesitate. She just went. Michael knew his foe. Hourglass was versatile just like Sammy. Both were evenly matched in talent, but Hourlgass had more experience. Michael knew that they were both going to have to race smart. It was only six furlongs and they needed to make each move count. He didn't have to encourage Sammy at all. The moment Ripley had released her powerhouse of a filly, Sammy had reacted instinctively, powering up after her. Michael guided the colt effortlessly through the gap and onto the turf. The black colt had his eyes locked onto the prize, as he merged confidently into the stream of traffic on the turf. He galloped, not like a wild man, but with purpose. He watched the bay filly's movement and sensed the drive and desire from within himself and his rider. He felt the need and he was out to quench his desire for dominance. He was tired of being left behind and he was not about to willingly bow down to this dark bay filly. That's my boy Sammy. He encouraged the spirit being made manifested in the black demon. His expert eyes looked ahead to see the green-eyed woman flash a smile back at him and Sammy as they galloped at a stalking position on their right outside flank. He returned the favor and settled in for the drive home and knew that this was going to be one adventurous ride.</sub>