relaxation;; [Frosteh]

[Snowflake]

relaxation;;

Marissa Star riding Gorgeous George and Amber Black riding On To The Spotlight

George tossed his head playfully, begging to trot at least. I smiled. I didn't know this colt well yet, but what I did know, I liked. "Okay, pretty boy. Let's trot." I squeezed my heels lightly to his chestnut sides and softened my hands forward. He began to trot immediately, flicking his tail and perking his ears with delight.

I automatically posted to his rhythmic strides, for once getting to enjoy long stirrups. I closed my eyes, breathing in deeply the salty scent of the sand and sea. George whinnied suddenly, and began to trot faster. I opened my eyes wearily - peace never seems to last long! There was another horse and rider on the beach just ahead, oddly familiar.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

You're such a crazy girl.

My words were very teasing, but it was more then true. She was dancing, dancing, dancing, eager to run and relentless in her efforts to gallop. She hadn't been like this on the trail here. I think it was her logic showing through; galloping around that bend there? might encounter a dragon!. But, as soon as the friendly sand of the beach had swallowed up her shiny, polished hooves she acted up.

On To The Spotlight loved to run. Her passion for it rivaled Classy's. At the sight of the long, open beach the two words run forever popped into her mind, and that what was occupied these moments here. The sound of the ocean calmed me, and usually calmed my horses, too, but it only made her even more determined to get to run.

Determination and passion. I like that in a racehorse.

We were just trotting down the beach happily, enjoying the scenery, when hoofbeats caught my attention. I pulled my black filly around; she turned smoothly, accurately, and we saw a colt of the same age racing happily towards us. Marissa Star was atop the colt, looking a bit tired. I smiled at her, but glanced at the colt uneasily. Onya was already putting on her intimidation look.

[Snowflake]

<sub>I reached forward and stroked Georgie's neck as we drew closer to the pair. I recognised the rider as Amber Black, owner of Stride Of Perfection Stables, and I assumed the horse she was riding was an unraced two year old, since I didn't know who she was.

I raised my arm and waved to Amber. Hey! I called out in greeting. George slowed down, suddenly cautious. I noticed the look on the filly's face - It was somewhat intimidating, yet daring him to come closer. I grinned and halted George two metres from the other pair.</sub>

[S u N f r O s t ~]

What's up? Who's this? I was examining the chestnut colt she rode eagerly. I was always eager to know what was cooking up at Green Horse Stables. We were rivals, and had been ever since I'd shown up and started it all with Merry Bay King and True Enough. Bank On Silver had joined the mix later, and we quickly became rivals, right down to Missy and Rising Fury last year.

Since I hardly ever saw unfamiliar stock from GHS, I was busy studying him. Beautiful conformation and intelligent look, but he suddenly slowed his approach. I smirked; no horse ever dared to approach Onya when she had 'the look' on. It was really quite hilarious to watch the other horses cringe. I briefly continued my study of the colt, memories jostling in my mind for examination.

Ahhh...is this Gorgeous George? It had finally clicked; Sarah had entered a horse in a race I was running. While that wasn't unfamiliar, she had at first denied an entry, but then a chestnut colt of unknown lineage had been entered. This must be him.

[Snowflake]

I checked out the pretty filly before us. She was chestnut just like George, and she stood at about sixteen hands. She had nice conformation, but seemed also to have a bit of a temper.

What's up? Who's this?

I noticed Amber was also checking out George and I drew myself up proudly. Amber then said suddenly, Ahhh...is this Gorgeous George? I grinned, happy with the fact that although the colt hadn't even worked out on a public track yet let alone run in a race on one, he already had some recognition.

"Sure is." I said, then added, "Isn't he a beauty?" Just cause I couldn't resist to show the smexy colt off. I guessed Amber had seen his name on a racecard, as he was entered in the maiden Try And Catch Me Cup, which was to run this weekend.

[Snowflake]

ooc|: Finished. =]]

[S u N f r O s t ~]

He's got plenty nice conformation, but he doesn't outshow Ario I teased, naming the Bank On Silver son teasingly. Honestly, though, he's got lots of room for a beating heart, plenty wide nostrils, and a nice coat. I said the last remark with a smirk and a nod. What do you think of Onya here? On To The Spotlight, two years old, best prospect of last year (though she didn't get an award), by Dancing In The Moonlight and out of On To Dancing, yet to find a race that suits her. She'll be a miler on the turf. She loves the turf. How typical of an SOPS horse? I smirked at the last comment, then broke into a warm smile. It's nice to see some new stock. Didn't some barn fire happen that erased your horse records? Brave of you to take him on, but then again his conformation is pretty nice.

It wasn't like me to talk so much to a person, but I really knew Sarah and Marissa Star. We knew each other when on the track at rivals, and off the track we were really very good friends. Since she always seemed to have a monster filly and I had a monster colt we usually made breeding arrangements. That's what happened with my King and her Silver. A similar arrangement with Rising Fury, however, had not been set up.

ooc} like the excuse I made for your board deletion? xD

[Snowflake]

ooc|: Sure do. ;]

I nodded agreeably as Amber talked about George's conformation. Those were the exact reasons why this horse stood out so much in that sale. "Yeah. It wiped out all my records. Luckily we got the horses out in time. At least it didn't burn down the whole place." I replied, remembering the horror of a night it had been. I hadn't been the only one to find a horse at the weekend sales. Vicky, one of GHS's jockeys, also picked up a nice bay filly.

"She's beautiful," I commented. The filly too had nice conformation. "So she hasn't run yet? Because she's not ready, or..?" I questioned. Onya had a beautiful face, I noticed. Long legs, too.

George was growing bored of standing still, so I suggested, "Let's ride. Mr. Handsome here is getting impatient."

[S u N f r O s t ~]

She's just not matured enough. I've taken her out before this, though, and finally found a race for her that know she'll do well in. I can't wait for it to run. I grinned and patted the filly's satin black neck with much love and pride. Onya nickered at my touch, but then broke off as she studied the chestnut colt before her. Her expression of daring had worn off to be replaced by curiosity, and she whinnied in his direction curiously.

Riding sounds good I agreed, and clucked to the black two year old. She moved forward at a steady canter, tossing her head as if observing her surroundings. Soooo, what kind of races does this guy run? Dirt or turf and what distance?

[Snowflake]

I clucked to George and nudged his sides, asking for him to walk. Not that he needed any direction - as soon as On To The Spotlight took a step, he did.
"Not totally sure, just yet. He doesn't like dirt, I can tell that much. Runs well on turf. I think he's a miler, or classic runner." I patted George on the shoulder, then g;anced at Onya. She was looking at George curiously. "Ready to make friends now, aye Onya?" I said with a grin.
"What about Onya? What race is she entered in?"

ooc|: Meh. I'm so tired.. *yawn* Thjink i shall go to bwed.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

If you ever sell him, I'll be interested. Turf is my specialty.

I finished the sentence with a smirk. Onya was sniffing Gorgeous George now, her ears turned backwards as a warning to George; if he moved one inch she would bite him. I gathered the reins and held her in check; if she went for the colt I would be there to stop her.

I don't exactly remember, but she's entered. Krystal would know. Have you ever met her? Krystal Yhate? She's my new exercise rider.

ooc| Running out of muse. xD

[Snowflake]

ooc|: wait, are we walking or cantering? xD

George seemed to lose interest, and returned his attention to taking in his surroundings.
Name sounds familiar. Is she a jockey?
I questioned. I was always on the lookout for other good jockeys - it payed to know the competition. And Krystal Yhate must be good if Amber had hired her.

ooc|: ahh! no muse whatsoever. xP

[S u N f r O s t ~]

ooc|: Errr....trotting? xD

ic|: A new exercise rider, yes. It's gone farther then that though. You've heard of Passionate Class, right? My questions this time were excited. Krystal had shown great promise when she befriended Classy, and then Laddy. She had liked Onya too, and I might just hand the filly I rode over to her when she turned three and Krystal gained experience.

Onya was now ignoring George, slowing to a walk as she examined the beach. The sand was tough on her hooves; I could tell she disliked the surface, preferring more spring under her hooves. There goes her future in the Dubai World Cup. She whinnied softly as a dove flew by, though, and now I could see she enjoyed the beautiful, sprawling scenery despite her dislike of the tough yellow surface she walked on.

[Snowflake]

I struggled to remember. Um. Can't say I have, to be honest. I informed her sheepishly. It was true - I was so obsessed with my own horses that I only recognised the competition from other stables if they beat me in a race. And I don't believe I had heard of Passionate Class before.

Sarah probably knows the horse, though. I thought. Sarah was pretty good at remembering horses, whether they beat ours or not. George trotted buoyantly, enjoying the sea breeze.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

I didn't mind that Marissa didn't know. Well, Classy was my most successful two year old last year. The lot of them stopped racing a few months into year five, I was so busy. He was the only one to get into grade four. I sold the rest but kept him, and then he got injured. I planned to keep him until he was cured and then sell him. I left him in a pen, and since I was so busy I didn't attend to him every day.

I stopped there as guilt filled me. The colt had deserved better.

And then, as he turned three and was nearing the end of recovery, Krystal found him. And they just clicked. I found her watching the sunrise with him when I came to give him hay the next morning. And then, with my permission, she started training him and entered him into the grade four at the Spring Cup. And he came fifth out of thirteen! She was thrilled, and entered him in another race, the Prince Cup I believe. And he came second! I signed away ownership of him to her, and to this day he's won the Unicorn Horn Colts.

Pride filled my voice. Krystal had done well with Classy, and he was a credit to the stables.

[Snowflake]

I listened carefully to her every word, and when she finished, I was touched. My heart swelled for the colt's suffering, yet I understood Amber completely. There was a few moments silence as I thought about my reply. I'm glad he's doing well for her. I didn't know what else to say to that.

You going to the Horse Of The Year Award Ceremony? I said after another few moments. I was going, for sure. Rising Fury had been nominated for a few awards, and so had a few of our other horses. Maybe I would meet Krystal Yhate there.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

I nodded in understanding of her understanding me. There really wasn't a lot to say in response to my life story of Passionate Class. Classy's story really only needed an understanding gleam. What had been done was done with the bay three year old.

My chestnut mount pranced in place, the sun striking her coat at a straight, smooth angle. She looked like controlled fire. On To The Spotlight always seemed to get the spotlight. I hoped her career was much the same.

Krystal and I will be there. Not only was my stable nominated for the stable awards but a bunch of my horses are nominated as well. I'm excited for Wild Flower. I really hope she carries on her title of Best Turf Horse.

[Snowflake]

Same here. I really hope Rising Fury takes Racehorse Of The Year. God knows she deserves it. A four year old filly never worked so hard. I said with a grin. This year, the horse had won 12 races - including the Breeder's Cup Classic, Dubai World Cup, Melbourne Cup and Unicorn Horn Classic, all some of the biggest races on GHF's calendar.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

I hope Missy gets some as well. A three year old filly never worked so hard I said, a grin breaking my features. Momento is nominated for Colt Of The Year.

ooc// I'm out of muse. xD

[Snowflake]

Really? I;m glad for him. I said with a smile.
Little Miss Innocent should get a few. Too bad there isn't an award for most seconds to Rising Fury. I grinned, teasing her.

ooc|: me too xP