crusade at dawn (open)

[Snowflake]

Sunset Crusade and Marissa Star

It was the crack of dawn, barely 5:00am. The early morning sunlight was just beginning to creep over the horizon, a beautiful bright orange. Marissa was aboard Sunset Crusade, working him for the first time on the GHF track before his first race in a few days time. The tall bay two year old's muscles rippled as he walked briskly on the dirt. His eyes and ears focused on anything and everything as he took in the sights and sounds, eagerly and excitedly.

Marissa smiled. It was always exciting to show off new racehorses to the world. She spied a few photographers here and there, taking photos of the morning workouts. Other people standing around the track included trainers and owners, and track staff like grooms. Pony horses and their riders stood by at various points in the track, waiting to collect horses and get involved if any got too out of hand.

Cruze broke into trot at her command. Now was time to look for a bit of competition.. another two year old would be perfect.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

Strictly Royal & Krystal Yhate

The dark bay son strode powerfully onto the dirt track. Newly gained muscles shone in the light of dawn as he pointed his nose to the first turn and began to trot towards it. Stepping onto the track reminded Roy of his job, his job as a racehorse, and he intended to do it well. He was making his first start of the season in the Mighty Moose Stakes against horses with awesome lines and plenty of potential. Heartless Revenge, Dark Charmer, notably Euphorion....there was much work to be done in preparation for this race. It could make or break his chances in future starts.

Roy was a buy that Amber had made at the Economy Stable sale. His lines were the deciding factor; by Royal Red Richard and out of Strictly Speaking, Amber had been eyeing the colt ever since he had been born. Despite the fact that she had so many racehorses to care for already, she couldn't resists buying Roy. While Roy's personality was aggressive and rather abrasive, Krystal had started to get along with the colt, and was made his rider. Their bond had been growing with every workout they did together; and now, the first hurdle was approaching.

Krystal looked around the track as Roy trotted on, searching for competition. What better way to get Roy tuned up for his first start? She spotted a familiar rider, Marissa Star, and smiled. She didn't recognize the colt she rode - she probably would remember him better when he started to run - but it was obvious that he was two, judging by physical appearance and the fact that she had never seen him before. Krystal urged Roy towards the pair, smiling as she pulled up alongside. Hey Marissa! Out to work the new blood? she asked in a friendly tone.

[morgan]

Dark Charmer

Morgan yawned and looked at her watch tiredly. She had barely slept the night before and getting up early didn't help her much. Luckily she wasn't riding in the first shifts, but she still had to make sure everything was up and ready to go for the other riders and horses. She met up with Bella who was already preparing Dark Charmer for his workout. Morgan was thrilled to have Prince at Riverwood Acres. He was by Morgan's old stallion Autumn Storm, who was later bought by another stables and then returned to Riverwood Acres along with Dark Charmer.

Morgan helped Bella up onto Prince's back. He waited patiently while he watched other riders and horses do the same. She gave Bella instructions of what to do. It was basically a test ride to see how Prince was, what he liked to do, and how he really preferred everything. Morgan knew he ran pretty well with other horses, so she looked around to see if anyone was waiting to race with someone else. The rest of Riverwood Acres were still preparing their horses to workout, and no one got up at the same time as Bella did anyway. She was always the first one there to work with the horses.

Morgan left to go back to the barn and prepare the other horses. She told Bella to let her know how Prince was in this workout. Bella lead Prince out onto the track where he began to prance slightly and raise his head. He surveyed the track as he raised his dark head and perked his ears. Bella leaned forwards and scratched behind his ears. He shook his head in return and continued to walk, curious of his new surroundings. Bella looked up for some people to work with. She didn't really know anyone, but found two pairs of horses and their riders talking. They had different colored tack and accessories, so she assumed they were from different barns. She urged Prince to a trot and headed over to them. Once she got near she slowed him down. "Hey, do you guys need another racing partner?" she asked curiously. Both of the horses looked pretty young, and Bella had never seem them at the races, so she assumed they must be like Prince.

[Snowflake]

Marissa couldn't see any suitable competition close enough to them ahead, and was happy to hear hoofbeats approaching from behind. Krystal Yhate and a dark bay colt, who had to be two years old, drew level with them. Excellent, this was perfect competition. Cruze's eyes and ears now focused on the other pair.

Krystal, hey Marissa smiled. Krystal often rode against her for Stride of Perfection Stables. Yes! This is Sunset Crusade, he's by Akuma Battlecry and out of Dusk Runner. She introduced her colt proudly. Hearing the proud tone of her voice, Cruze's trot gained a little more bounce to it, and he arched his neck slightly. Who's your boy? She thought he looked familiar, but couldn't match a name to the colt.

At that moment, another horse and rider arrived next to Krystal and her colt. The rider was a younger girl, by the looks, also on a two year old colt. Marissa gave her a smile, and said Sure. Don't think we've met before, I'm Marissa Star.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

Roy liked to throw his weight around. Now, he neighed indignantly at being kept on the same level as the other colt, and attempted to break free of Krystal's hold so he could pull ahead. Used to such antics, Krystal maintained a firm hold on the colt, and instead opened her mouth, about to reply to Marissa's question, when another horse and rider pulled up alongside. More competition! she thought, excited by the thought. She didn't recognize the colt this rider rode, or the rider herself. Then again, the only reason she and Marissa knew each other was because they were good friends.

Yes, another horse would be perfect Krystal said, to the displeasure of Roy. He didn't like having to put up with another colt. This is Strictly Royal, by Royal Red Richard and out of Strictly Speaking.

[morgan]

Dark Charmer

Bella smiled in return, "I'm Bella Jay, and this is Dark Charmer, or Prince for short. Nice to meet you," Bella said. Prince stood quietly as he watched the other two colts curiously. His dark brown eyes flickered around the track as well, eager to start running. He chomped on the bit loudly to get Bella's attention and kicked out his back foot. Bella quickly corrected him and had him stand still again, so he sighed loudly and stood.

She thought of Ross, or Fiddler on the Roof when the girl riding Strictly Royal mentioned his sire was Royal Red Richard. Ross had the same sire and they both did look somewhat alike with their dark coloring. Prince tossed his head again as he looked at the competition.

((sorry, not a lot of muse ))

[Snowflake]

Nice to meet you too! Marissa replied. Cruze was getting a bit fed up of this boring trotting. He wanted to get ahead of the other colts; he wanted to race. Ahhhh, Strictly Royal.. Sarah wanted him from that economy sale, but we weren't buying. They had just been there to ensure the offspring of their own horses went to good homes, under their contract. Cruze tossed his head, sidestepping slightly.

Ready to canter? I don't know about your boys, but Cruze wants to race. She grinned. Yes, that was a challenge.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

The high spirits of Sunset Crusade were catching on; Roy attempted to break through Krystal's hold and go faster. He wanted to put these colts in their place. It wasn't just racing spirit that he was feeling right now; it was also the fact that they were all male, and male horses tended to fiercely compete for dominance. Krystal stroked her colt's neck, listening to the other two riders talk with interest. She knew for a fact that Roy would be ready to go, especially after facing Dark Charmer, who, Krystal realized, was entered in Roy's maiden race.

Hi Bella Krystal said with a smile. She committed the rider's face to memory, hoping to not forget who she was. She nodded at Marissa's comment about Roy, glad that it was she and not a staff member of Green Horse Stables that was astride the colt. It truly had been a lucky catch to snag Roy, especially with the credentials of his sire. I'm always ready to canter Krystal replied, picking up on the challenge. She cued Roy, and the colt happily picked up the pace.

[morgan]

Prince was throwing his head against the reins, fighting for the bit and the time to run. Bella held the reins firmly and didn't allow him to grab the bit and run. He began to almost prance in place, just begging to bolt. Bella agreed, "Sure, sounds good!" She gave Prince the signal and he first took off. Bella grabbed his mane and held on fiercely, preventing herself from toppling off the back of Prince. She quickly slowed him back down to a canter. He fought at first, kicking out and throwing his head, but Bella gave him a quick tug to correct him. He flicked his ears back, but decided to settle down and stick with cantering.

He was a pretty quiet colt, and normally didn't act up. His sire was pretty much the same, even though he barely raced. Both of his parents were pretty unknown, but Morgan and Bella were set on changing that. They were going to work with Prince every waking day to make him a champion. Prince seemed pretty please with the idea, and he was definitely a horse that would never give up. They continued to canter with the other horses for a while. Prince settled down even more, and was now cantering smoothly and quietly. Bella reached down and pet his glossy chocolate neck.

[Snowflake]

Since Strictly Royal took off before him, Cruze had to go one better and took off straight into gallop. Marissa rolled her eyes, quickly bringing him back to the pace he was supposed to be at before he even really got going. Cruze tossed his head frustratedly, but responded to her cue. He'd caught up, anyway. Glancing at the other two, it seemed Dark Charmer had done the same. Cruze had to be at least level with the other two, so he made sure he got his nose in front. Once happy with his position, he settled. Marissa relaxed slightly, and smiled as she thought of the race that would happen between these three morning. She was confident Cruze would do his very best.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

Krystal smiled, enjoying the high spirits of the other two horses. Roy was surprisingly quiet today. Krystal thought he would have started throwing his weight around to get what he wanted by now, but apparently he was fine with just imperiously being calm while the other two horses fought their riders' holds. Roy would have been fighting, too, had it been any other situation, but he wanted to just coast along at a calm canter for now. The time for throwing his weight and proving his dominance would be when they started galloping. Krystal smiled and looked down at the dirt track, watching it rise up to welcome the touch of Roy's hooves. He was, indeed, raring to go, but trying not to show it.

So, how long will we be racing for? she questioned Morgan and Marissa. Roy here could use either a mile long race or a quick blowout of about four furlongs, sprinting.