as the leaves fall.

[Kirsten Jade]

WORKOUTS for the Autumn Cup

as the leaves fall.
the horses trot on.

The truck's tires sped into the stable row where two young jockeys stood waiting. The petite stable owner jumped down from the truck before it even came to a complete stop. "You guys all set?" Melanie looked at Aaron from the corner of her eye and saw that he was equally amused. "Uh... yeah. You said to be ready at 7h00, it's quarter after..." Kirsten just nodded and strode into the stable row reserved for Akita Rose Stables.

She offered no excuse for being late. Why should she? She was the boss after all... She could see her two jockeys exchanging glances behind her back but she couldn't care any less. Let them think she was a witch. She didn't care. She didn't have time to care right now. Things were just nuts at home and she couldn't be everywhere at once. It was just impossible!

Winged Romeo
The Innocent Skier
Thunderstrike

They reached the back of the stable row where a couple of grooms were wrestling with the mounts the three were supposed to ride. Today was the day that Akita Rose Stables were putting in their times for the Autumn Cup. She had prepared their schedule ahead of time and everyone knew what to do. Everyone knew their mounts too so their was no point in Kirsten shouting out directions.

She just walked up to the groom holding the older and more mature mount. Three year old Winged Romeo. Normally the chestnut was ridden by Melanie but Kirsten decided to enter both her mounts in the same race so she was going to ride Romeo for the Autumn Cup. It wouldn't bother this colt, he was a good boy and rode well for anyone.

As Kirsten led the way to the mounting block Melanie took the time to stroke Striker's nose. The juvenile colt was just gleaming with health and muscle. Melanie had been doing a good job training him and she was quite proud of her accomplishments. She wasn't sure what to expect from the Autumn Cup though because competition was extremely tough. The tall colt turned his head to glance behind him and whinnied.

A whinny from up ahead caused Aaron's mount to prick his ears forward excitingly. The Innocent Skier, or Ian for short, is not a horse that bonds with just anyone, in fact Aaron had never really felt a bond with the juvenile turfer himself. When it came to Thunderstrike, however, there was nothing that can separate those two. They run together in almost every race, they share a paddock, their stalls are always next to one another and there seems to be constant activity between the two colts. Ever since Ian has stood up to the bully of the stables, Knight Rousseau, Striker has been dotting on Ian. It was about time that Striker has felt accepted.

Kirsten shook her head at the chatter behind her. On one hand she was glad of the special bond between the two colts and on the other she was a little bit annoyed with how inseparable they were. They were often in the same races and seemed to do well urging each other on but when she wanted a certain horse to do better she almost wished the other horse wasn't there to maybe beat her own horse but that's the way the racing business worked.

She mounted Romeo and lead him straight to the turf track. She heard the other two pick up the trot behind her one at a time. She focused on the horse beneath her and tried to feel what he felt. Romeo looked around the track with new eyes, seeing the track as his former competition grounds but not really feeling it. Kirsten frowned. The colt was still thinking he was on vacation.

Striker picked up the pace right as soon as he stepped on to the turf. Even though he was young he knew what it meant to be on the GHF race track. He has done very well in his recent races on GHF and now every horse was coming off of a big break because of the disaster that struck GHF. Spring was in his step and he tossed his mane with delight. He has been looking forward to racing again as much as any race horse.

Aaron pulled Ian away from the other two colts and put him through his warm up paces. Aaron liked to keep his mind on his mount and not be distracted by others on the track. Today they were going to race the colts out of the gate and record their times for the official race card, in fact they were going to do that with all their mounts today. Aaron loved workouts like this where he could practice on his racing strategies while being on a great mount.

He put his hand to the neck of his mount and felt his pulse. Ian was ready to run now. He looked up to see Melanie and Kirsten giving each other thumbs up and Aaron added his own to the mix. They were ready to go.

Once all three horses were loaded into the gate the three jockeys faced ahead, concentrating on the only thing that mattered: their horses, their jobs.

The gate swung open and all three burst out with great speed. Striker and Ian fought for the position on the rail while Romeo lagged behind. They were only racing half a mile today, four furlongs. It was not enough time to make it a real race between the three mid to long distance runners but it was just for practice.

Kirsten whipped her mount to see the two horses in front of him running neck to neck. Wake up Romeo! Suddenly, the three year old seemed to realize he won't have all day to make his move and surged ahead to try and catch the juveniles. He wasn't going to lazz around anymore. There were races to be run!

Alluring Assault
Jazzman

Aaron wiped the sweat from his forehead as the accepted his next mount from one of the grooms. Kirsten had arranged for the horses to be ready and brought straight to the track after the first workout. He saw Melanie exchange her mount from the corner of his eye as well. Melanie turned to him and smirked. Aaron rolled his eyes and faced the mare in front of him. Melanie always had the better mounts in his opinion and that was the only reason she often beat him in races.

Melanie grinned and stroked the small stallion in front of her. Jazzman was a well seasoned race horse with tons of experience, especially on the GHF track. At four years old this will probably be his last season and then he would be put into the breeding shed. Melanie was going to treasure it while it lasted. She has been the one riding the boy since he was a green yearling, in fact she had broken the black stallion.

Jazzman had switched over to the turf for his final year since they had a lot of dirt runners at Akita Rose Stables and needed a good turfer. His times are pretty much identical on both surfaces which is quite odd but totally Jazz. The stallion has always been a puzzle and that's why Melanie loved him. He was a spirited race horse.

Aaron was having trouble mounting the three year old filly because the silly horse kept turned to nose him. "Knock it off you big goof." He had no idea why the little bay filly liked him so much but she did and Aaron found it extremely annoying but somewhat cute. Too bad no girl thought of him like Allure did.

After going through the warm ups Aaron watched as Melanie approached him. "Uh, change in plan Aar, Jazzman already got his time recorded earlier this week and they don't need another so the boss said you can break and we'll meet you in the last quarter mile for a race to the wire." Aaron nodded and continued to focus on his mount. He turned and made his way to the starter gate supplied.

Melanie urged the Jazzman into a slow gallop like instructed. Once Aaron reached the starter gate it wouldn't be long before he would join them so she wanted to make sure Jazz was good and ready. Allure has been improving greatly and Melanie was excited to see her time today but she knew that Jazz would easily overcome them before the wire because he would have more energy. Oh well, the plan was just to give the stallion a little tease to prepare him for race day.

Aaron leaned forward over the withers of the excited bay and focused on the track ahead. "Steady..." Allure perked her ear back and stomped her hoof impatiently. At that moment the gate opened and they rushed out. A bit slow but they'll make up for it around the turn...

Melanie stopped Jazzman and shaded her eyes to look towards the rail. Aaron and Allure were moving up fast. Melanie jumped at the chance to join them. She kicked Jazz into action and felt him collect himself and start out in a easy gallop, slowly increasing his speed to eventually match Allure's for when she would reach their mark.

Aaron could see Melanie starting Jazz into a gallop ahead of him and he leaned forward and released his filly's speed once they joined together at the last quarter mile mark. Let the race begin.

Fleet Goddess

While the other two raced their mounts over the turf Kirsten brought Romeo back and cooled him off and then prepared her next mount. She could have easily asked one of the grooms to prepare Goddess for her but Kirsten felt like doing it herself. It was the mare's last year of racing and it'll be done before she had time to blink.

Kirsten was always so busy around the farm that she didn't always get a chance to spend some quality time with the horses that she loves. Goddess was one of those horses. Along with Limitless Time, Pride Stalker, Sweet Stalker, Night Stalker, and many many others. Goddess is the first born from Queen of Hearts, one of Akita Rose Stables top broodmares. Goddess was a great race horse. She won many big races such as the Breeder's Cup Juvenile, Acorn Stakes, Breeder's Cup Distaff and many many more.

The problem was that the competition seems to get more and more tougher as Goddess got older. Now, as a four year old she hasn't won one race so far this year and Kirsten is puzzled beyond measure. What was going on?

Goddess hasn't lost her touch, that was for sure. It must just be the competition. Most horses get better with age, especially colts because the mature. That is a reason that Kirsten didn't race many mares past the age of four or five because usually they are pinned against other males and the stallions have an edge over her mares, in fact her younger brother, Limitless has even been able to beat Goddess now and he is only three... he is a good horse though.

Kirsten hummed to herself as she groomed the dark bay mare. Goddess nuzzled in her owner's hair as she worked. They had a bond as horse and human. "You gonna show the world you haven't forgotten to win this weekend girl?" Goddess neighed and bobbed her head. Kirsten laughed out loud. She knew that Goddess couldn't possibly understand her but sometimes it sure felt like it.

Once Kirsten had the spunky mare groomed and ready she lead her out on the dirt track just in time to see the final furlong between Alluring Assault and Jazzman. She stopped and watched the friendly competition. Those two jockeys were perfect for each other, if only they could realize it. They were both too stubborn to see past their competitiveness to the real person inside. But that was to be expected from the staff at Akita Rose Stables, they were all competitive and hard workers. Their lives revolved around their horses.

She accepted a leg up from one of the track officials and rode out to the dirt track. Goddess swung her hips like a queen showing off... like usual. The mare was such a show off. It was good to see she still hasn't lost her confidence in herself. She'll will get a win yet.

Kirsten urged Goddess into a trot along the right side of the rail going in the opposite direction like everyone does when warming up. Goddess flicked her tail impatiently. She wanted to run. They all wanted to run. It has been awhile.

"Not yet my dear girl" Goddess huffed and continued to try and push Kirsten into a faster pace. Kirsten sighed. They were almost ready to run. They were going to work five furlongs at a full racing gallop to get her sweat up. Goddess is well conditioned and can do it easily and probably want to keep gong but Kirsten wanted to give her a taste of racing and still long for more.

Plus, whenever Goddess worked alone she tended to slow down after awhile in boredom. She likes to slow her pace and wait for competition and Kirsten has been trying to push her and train that tendency out of her and it is better but not completely cured yet.

Ready. Set. Go. She kicked Goddess into gear and leaned forward to enjoy the ride, pushing her to go faster with every furlong. Goddess obeyed easily. The mare was so glad to be back at the race track that she didn't slow down for a second. She wanted to run.

Dark Sunrise
Pride Stalker
Knight Rousseau

The sun was getting really hot and there were still another two workouts to go for the day. Melanie was boiling, grumpy and itchy. The only thing that cheered her up was the fact that it was now time for the "TERRIBLE TRIO" as we had them nicknamed. Melanie would be riding her favorite horse of all times: Dark Sunrise. Up until recently Lusitania had been Melanie's dearest horse, and before that was Muffin Man.

Hmm... I wonder what a foal from the two of them would produce? Melanie had to remember to mention it to her sister later. She rushed to the jockey quarters to go to the bathroom and have a quick drink of water while the ARS staff prepared their next mounts for their mock race.

Aaron grabbed the halter of the blood bay beast that was rearing in the aisle of the stable row and pulled him down to look into his eyes. "Stop it NOW!" Aaron growled into the face of the Night Stalker son. This horse had no feelings it seemed. Aaron was supposed to be on break at the moment but he knew that the grooms would have trouble with the nasty juvenile so he offered his help.

Usually, Aaron was the only person allowed to handle the beast for exactly that reason but Kirsten wanted things running like clockwork today. Aaron and Rousseau had an understanding, a partnership. It was respect only, not love. At least that's what each man told themselves...

Kirsten sat on a stool in Pride's stall with the big dark bay colt laying his head on her lap with her eyes closed, ignoring the commotion in the hall. Pride was ready to go but Kirsten wanted to allow some time for Melanie and Aaron to take a little break. Pride kept flicking his ears towards Rousseau, obviously wanting to take a peek at what was going on but didn't dare to move from his position.

"This was much easier when you were a foal big boy" Pride just stared at Kirsten with his big brown loving eyes. It was a habit they had developed since Pride was a foal, before anything important or if Kirsten just needed some comfort she could be found in Pride's stall with his big head on her lap. That was one of the reasons he always had a corner stall, it was bigger.

Melanie flicked her crop against her shoe as she waited for her mount to arrive at the track. Was I supposed to go get her? Before she could even finish thinking the thought she found herself looking at the most gorgeous filly around. The black juvenile had a perfect heart shaped star on her forehead just like her dam and she was a tall girl. Melanie grinned. Many have mistaken this filly for a colt with her tall muscular build but Melanie didn't care, Sunny acted like a colt as well. Being the only filly of the crop she grew up with Rousseau and Pride and has always been a good balance for the two colts.

Since they have been two though they have been separated except when on the track but the bond was always still apparent. They often raced together and were considered the ARS Terrible Trio, especially when Pride and Sunny would show up from the back of the pack and take the field. It was amazing to watch.

She was just mounting the big filly when she recognized the loud (very loud) bleating sound of a wild stallion. Melanie rolled her eyes. Rousseau... Melanie nearly fell out of her saddle when Sunny responded with a loud nickering call.

Aaron heard Sunny's greeting call from across the yard and nearly got his arms yanked off (again) as Rousseau tried to tear across the yard towards his friend. It was strange how the juvenile horses have bonded so much into their little groups. Aaron mentioned to two of ARS' grooms, "Give me a hand will ya? It'd be easier to control this brute from the saddle." One of them widened their eyes and shrugged.

After a lot of difficulty Aaron was finally mounted outside and on his way to the track. Normally, a groom would help lead but Rousseau wasn't letting anyone near him today. Stupid horse...

Kirsten lead Pride towards the track shortly after Aaron left. He was also raring to get on that track. All her juveniles this year were absolutely magnificent and loved to run. It was hard to pick out races for them because she wanted them to all win.

Pride side stepped all over the path in an obvious hurry to get going so Kirsten decided to follow Aaron's lead and mount Pride right away. It was easier than always watching for your toes.

Once she was up and at it she entered the track last and started the warm ups. Rousseau was still giving Aaron some trouble but that was typical. With the way he was acting Kirsten decided to scrap the gate and just do their run from a stand still.

Melanie exchanged her thumbs up with her sister and Aaron and started to make her way to the gate when she noticed Kirsten beckoning her towards the inner rail a few furlongs ahead. Great. Change of plans. I hate that! It was probably due to Aaron and Rousseau. Melanie wasn't a fan of the Night Stalker foal but she had to admit he could run. Pfft. Sunny could outrun any of them any day...

Aaron struggled to keep his mount in line as he waited for Kirsten to hurry her countdown from three. Hurry already! Three seconds felt like forever upon Rousseau's back. And Go!

At the cue Rousseau managed to snag the bit between his teeth and toke off in a shot. Aaron grabbed a chunk of his mane and struggled to keep his balance. He needed to get the colt under control! Kirsten was going to kill him!

Kirsten and Melanie ran side by side like usual and watched Rousseau take off further and further away from them. That colt was out of control. She looked at Melanie and saw that her eyes were wide. She nodded and both girls allowed their mounts to take off in pursuit of the wild colt (under control of course).

Pride and Sunny were fast but were not able to catch Rousseau on time and they were nose to nose as they crossed the wire together, nothing unusual. As Kirsten slowed her mount she watched with embarrassment as track officials raced to try and stop the colt.

An out of control horse on a public race track was disastrous and of course the embarrassment had to fall upon Akita Rose Stables once again because of Knight Rousseau...

Prize Me Proud
Limitless Time

Kirsten was already warming up her final mount of the day: Limitless when she saw Aaron approaching the track with Prize Me Proud. The guy had his head down, obviously ashamed of all the commotion that was cause on the track this morning.

Aaron reached the gap and was about to use the rail to mount the big stallion when Polo reached his nose under Aaron's arm and lifted him off the ground for a couple seconds. As soon as his feet touched the ground again Aaron grabbed his halter and looked Polo in the eye. "I am not in the mood for any games today." Aaron was fed up with race horse antics for the day. When he returned to the barn he was going to take a good long shower to wash away all the pain of the day.

He did not want to have a bad reputation already on the first week of GHF re-opening but thanks to Rousseau everyone probably thinks he is a complete novice on the track. I'd like to see them try and handle Knight Rousseau...

Once mounted on the trickster of a stallion Aaron preceded to put Polo through his warm up trots and canters. The dark bay stallion let out a loud neigh to let everyone on the track know that he has arrived. Aaron's face turned a shade of pink as a couple of horse and riders looked his way.

Kirsten and Limitless rode in silence, in complete harmony. The colt was shining with health, muscle and maturity. It has been awhile for Limitless on the track but Kirsten had no doubt in her mind that he would get right back in the swing of things the first time back. The kid was an amazing racehorse, putting in times that surprised even Kirsten. He was known as the "Silent Threat" because he is often forgotten and then he will come from the back of the pack and move his way up in a matter of seconds. No one even sees him coming.

The colt has an incredible amount of patience and strength and has recently won the Belmont Stakes. The longer the race the easier it is for him to close. Kirsten was excited to see him next year as a four year old. One year at a time... Of course Limitless was putting in a great year already this year. Everything was just so exciting.

Kirsten mentioned to Aaron to follow her as she lead the way to the gates. They were going to run five furlongs today but not really concentrate on each other. Limitless will pull away easily so the point wasn't for a practice race.

Aaron sighed and aimed Polo towards the gates. Limitless was way out of Polo's league but they both needed to work the same distance on dirt so this is how it was going to be done. Polo loaded in without barely a fight, obviously ready to get running again.

And they were off! Limitless settled into a steady patient racing gallop as usual and took a position near the rail. Polo was slightly ahead and closer to the rail but that was to be expected. With each stride the colt lengthened his reach and ate away at the dirt. They pulled ahead of Prize Me Proud and continued to gain speed.

Aaron thread his hands along the withers of his ride, urging the stallion to move faster and he obeyed, lengthening his stride and pointing his nose towards the wire.

It had been a good run for both horses and Aaron was excited to see the times. He patted his well behaved mount and turned him to the outside to cool off. Watch out Autumn Cup: Akita Rose Stables was back!