change in scenery (open)

[Snowflake]

After his recent successes in the races Dream Cup and Full Moon Derby, George was in need of a well deserved rest. That's why we were on our way to the beach. I swung up into the saddle from the mounting block, and urged George to walk on, steering him away from the stabling area and down the path that lead to our training oval, galloping lanes and trails. We would be taking the route that lead to the beach shore.

A short while later, the ground was becoming soft and sandy, the air salty and fresh. The wind was also picking up a little. It was a cool afternoon, above the normal temperature for this time of year, but still quite chilly. George was walking energetically, huffing out cloudy breaths, his eyes and ears eagerly taking in the change in scenery. I leaned back in the saddle now, slipping the three year old a little bit more rein. we'd reached the part in the trail where it began to get a little steep and uneven, where it lead right down to the beach.

I disliked this part of the trail - there was always a chance the horse could hurt himself, and this thought always lingered in the back of my mind. But George picked his way down the hill with ease, never once losing his balance. That was the advantage of a sure footed horse - there was less chance of injury. George broke into trot for the last few metres, letting out a snort of happiness when we finally landed on the beach. Good boy! I praised him, giving him a pat on the neck.


ooc|: open for one

[lily]

C.C.I. S.U.R.P.R.I.S.E. P.A.R.T.Y.
roger anderson speaking

This was a serious risk I was taking. Preston, the son of trail riding horse extrordinaire, Surprise, is the absolute worst trail riding horse ever... I had already discovered this when I was with other people and now I was by myself. Was I crazy? The palomino coltine tossed his head wildly, not meaning to be rude but excitement in his eyes. The beach air gently caressed his alabaster mane flecks, my eyes carefully scanning the horizon for another human. I sighted a familiar face... Gorgeous George. Preston sighted the chestnut colt just as I did and almost got off to a gallop towards the pair. I held him back fiercely, allowing an easy jog. I posted lightly, just to keep him from scooting out from underneath me. The coltine sighed now, lowering his head onto the bit as we slowly met the other pair. I offered a light smile once we were near enough and asked a simple question.

Is it alright if we join you? I honestly don't know how long this guy will last on his own...

[lily]

[snowy, babes, did you see this?]

[Snowflake]

ooc|: sorry darl didn't see that you had replied lol. I'll post later.. just have to run my dog around and feed my horsie..

[lily]

[lol, sounds good to me!]

[Snowflake]

My thoughts began to wander as we continued down the beach. George had slowed to walk, happy just to plod along for once. He skittered away from a wave that swirled around his feet, snorting in astonishment. Oh, yeah. I could have slapped myself. George hasn't been down here for over a year! I thought, steering the chestnut colt away from the water. He'd nearly caused my to fall off in his panic at the rushing water. After a few minutes, George seemed more curious than frightened, and actually allowed a wave to wash over his feet again without running away from it. Good boy. I murmurred, off in my own world again. The end of the year loomed, and we were about to run in some pretty serious races.

Just then, a palomino colt drew up alongside us, one I instantly recognised as CCI Surprise Party. There weren't many palominos on the track, after all. George had known he was coming, and wasn't surprised at all. He offered a friendly nicker to the other colt, but stepped up the pace to keep ahead.

Yeah, no problem. I replied to the rider. I'm Marissa, and this is Gorgeous George. I introduced us, smiling.

[lily]

C.C.I. S.U.R.P.R.I.S.E. P.A.R.T.Y.
roger anderson speaking

Thanks... Yeah, I recognized him from some of the races I've been to.

I offered a light smile in Marissa's direction. I had seen her before, too but I didn't want to say that. How stalkerish would that sound? Preston glanced over at George now, offering a light snort through his nostrils. He was a hyper ball of energy today and when you have that much energy coursing through your veins, you aren't exactly polite or friendly. Preston flicked his white tail over his hindquarters and stamped a hoof as he walked, wanting so badly to run ahead of the other thoroughbred. I rolled my eyes. This is why I loved riding our warmbloods. They never got the itch to run that thoroughbreds did, with the little prances in place and the dumb head tosses. Then I realized I hadn't introduced myself. I wasn't one of many words but I figured I should at least tell her my name...

I'm Roger Anderson and this is CCI Surprise Party.

My coltine mouthed the bit excitedly, his auds flickering. I glanced over at George now, who looked so relaxed it was crazy. I couldn't believe that a thoroughbred like that existed. I mean, we had some at CCI like that but after riding Preston, I felt like all thoroughbreds were on drugs. I smiled slightly in Marissa's direction and tossed vocals into the wind, asking a simple question.

Will George be competing in the Breeders' Cup this year?

[Snowflake]

Yeah, we're going to be running in the Turf. I crossed my fingers on one hand and held them up, smiling a little. Fingers crossed we win! We'd certainly worked hard enough for this race. But, I supposed, if George didn't win it this year, he'd have another shot at it next year.
What about you guys? I questioned, genuinely curious. It would be great to get an idea of who we would be facing. I already knew that Passionate Class was running, as I had found out from Krystal Yhate, his rider, yesterday when trail riding with Flyer. I didn't know about anyone else though.

[lily]

C.C.I. S.U.R.P.R.I.S.E. P.A.R.T.Y.
roger anderson speaking

I smiled lightly in Marissa's direction, raising my own crossed fingers slightly to show her. No one from CCI was competing in the Turf this year and I let out an inner sigh of relief. The GHS horses were forces to be reckoned with and not having to compete against the well muscled and on his game chestnut beside me was something to be happy about. Preston snorted lightly now as he walked calmly? Calmly, really? Although Preston wouldn't want to show it, I think that he may be liking George's company. A light smile crossed my lips again as I spoke softly, my dimples popping in my cheeks.

Good luck to you guys! I'll definitely be in the stands, cheering you guys on!

I said encouragingly. After Marissa asked about who would be competing from CCI, I bit the inside of my lip. I was one of the co-owners so I should know off the top of my head but Lily and I just worked it out yesterday. It took a while because we needed to consider rider ability and how much the horse had been racing recently. Every CCI horse had been raced within the last two weeks but some had been racing more than others. After a few moments of thought, I replied.

Well, Preston and I may not be competing because he has a lot of races in next week or so but if we do decide to compete, it would be in the Turf Sprint. Airliner, since he's our Triple Crown contender, has had quite a bit of races recently so he won't be competing with us. And after this year, he'll be retiring, probably to do some hunters with Monica. Cute Italian will be competing in the Juvenile Fillies because she's only two. Fashionista will be doing the Juvenile Fillies Turf and Saint Patrick will be doing the Juvenile Turf... I'm assuming that you have quite a few more horses to decide for.

I said with an easy smile. Lily and I had a hard time figuring out what races for our five racers, I couldn't imagine what it must be like for the people over at GHS!

[Snowflake]

Best of luck to CCI, too. I grinned, leaning forward to pet George's silky chestnut neck. Cold Creek were more into showing, from what I knew, but they did have some pretty amazing racehorses too. Well, it looks like we will only be running against Cute Italian in the Juvv y Fillies with Fatal Attraction and Silver Stalker. I said, still smiling. We haven't really decided on all of our horses yet; we're not sure how many we are going to run since it's so stressful to prepare them for it. Most likely the ones that have done the best lately. In fact, I'm not totally sure whether George will even be in the Turf, to be honest.. Simply A Flyer, my other turf three year old, has been doing alot of winning lately, so we might instead run her in it. I shrugged. argh, it's very stressful.

[lily]

C.C.I. S.U.R.P.R.I.S.E. P.A.R.T.Y.
roger anderson speaking

Callie and Kayla will be ready for you guys!

I said sweetly with a light tinge of my competitive nature to my voice. Kayla was doing her best to work Callie almost every day (of course, she does give her days off though!) and the buckskin filly was really filling out into a nice three year old. It was hard for Kayla to focus completely on Callie though will all of her showing charges. Marissa was right in that CCI was originally a showing stable and most of our horses competed in english events. We were doing our best to delve into GHF's intense racing circuit and I was proud to say that we had begun to start doing well. The year of our arrival was a rough year, especially since we arrived halfway through and Fairy Princess was about to retire. Some of her races here had not been her best because of her nature in the new place. But our GHF raised horses like Callie, Nista and Patrick were excelling in the lush racing events. As Marissa spoke, I listened intently and replied with a serious nod and some vocals.

I understand what you guys are going through but on a much smaller scale, of course... It's also really important to think whose been racing a lot and for those who have, who is capable of competing in such a stressful situation.

I added the valid point. In the next coming year, we had many prospects coming up. We had a secret one (dun, dun, DAHHH! lol) and of course our prospect from this year, RS Saphira, Augusto's grand-daughter. We also had a Heartbreaker/Sweet Sugar Cane baby being born in the next year. There was another Whitebrook baby on the way as well, plus we are in the works of doing two racing leases with WB but we'll have to tell about that later. If you can't tell, Brandy is excited but back to the roleplay. Preston tossed his head severely now, jabbing himself in the mouth in the process. His ears shot forward and his palomino face became shocked. I could have laughed. He was offended at hurting himself. What a goofball!