Post by creativecause on May 4, 2014 12:01:34 GMT -5
Gotta get a little dirt on your hands
Silver Lining
Andrew quickly pushed the bay built like a swan out of the gate. Six strides and they were off at full speed, Andrew had to slow Ace down with much difficulty. The horse hadn't raced in a month and acted like he hadn't raced in a year. The layoff did nothing but add to his hyperactive personality. To the extent of his knowledge, horses couldn't have ADHD, however he swore up and down Ace did. His attention span was short, and he constantly need something to do or there was serious problems. In a race, if he could channel this energy he’d be a perfect ticking time bomb. That was Andrew’s job, to guide the horse to victory and teach him when to use his time bomb.
“Settle, boy settle,” Andrew attempted to calm him down, and focus on the task at hand. Andrew was thinking it may not be too bad of an idea to put blinkers on him to get him to focus.
Ace slowly came into focus with Andrew and moved along a fairly, yet steady pace. He still lost focus here and there but Andrew almost instantly responded and he was quickly back on track.
Everything fell into rhythm, and Ace responded to all lead changes, and had his full attention on Andrew. He couldn't help but smile, Ace was learning quickly.
“Good boy Ace,” Andrew cooed to him, and Ace’s ear flicked back. It really was amazing what this horse could do once he was focused. Ace was a hazard to everyone on the track when he had his fits, which weren't that often. He was nearly uncontrollable when his head was off in La La land during a work or race, but he was getting a lot better. Experience was this horses weakness, that and his hot head. If he was ever going to win, he was going to have to get over that, and fast. However, to quote Kacey Musgraves, ‘if you’re ever going to find a four leaf clover, you gotta get a little dirt on your hands.’ A lyric from the song in which Ace was named after.
The home stretch was nearing, and Ace was more than ready to pounce. Andrew tapped him with the whip on the rump and Ace lunged forward, lengthening his stride and digging his hooves into the dirt.
To describe the feeling seemed impossible, Andrew felt so airborne on Ace. He had a massive stride, and he was so scrawny you wouldn't expect much of him. However, he had a kick that could blow your mind if he focused. That was now. In full flight down to the wire, past a few other horses also working on the track.
The drive to the wire was brief, and Andrew patted Ace once they were done. He was more than ready, all Andrew had to do was get him to focus.