Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on Sept 16, 2011 19:30:20 GMT -5
FLASHY WINGS and HENNA TURATH
FIRE DANCER and KRYSTAL YHATE
His short but thick black mane was his most noticeable characteristic, as well as the fine Arabian-style chiseling of his head. It might also be the prideful way he carried himself, or perhaps the presence that many other horses lacked. Perhaps it was the contrast of his black mane against his blood bay coat, making him look more lion than horse for some reason. Whatever the case, Flashy Wings was a stunner. His record was nearly impeccable, and his talent endless. Though he was facing the challenge of twelve furlongs, his highest distance, in his next race. Thus, Henna, who had wanted him to be at his best, suggested to Krystal that she work Fire Dancer with them on the dirt that morning. Fire was a bit more of an endurance horse, and Henna was hoping to have some more stamina built into Flash.
Fire was the same as usual today; tall, intimidating, unapproachable. If Flash had been a sociable horse, she would have coolly ignored him, but Flash was too absorbed in himself and the world around him to care about other equines, female or not. Therefore, Fire's attitude was one of general tolerance. She moved across the track like she owned the dirt, and seemed to view all as her subjects. Her haughty demeanor put many riders off, but Krystal lived for it. Fire was a breath of fresh air. She was just so much more serious when it came to the job at hand, that it was tough not to like her. She would be teaching Flash, top colt in his division, a lesson today, and she liked that idea. Flash was talented, no doubt about it. She wanted him down from his perch.
Impatient to begin, Krystal shot a questioning look at Henna, who nodded. Together, seamlessly, as they had done it many times before, the two women cued their horses to canter. They were going to canter for a full two miles, and then gallop a half mile before trotting the remaining half. It was a bit of a grueling run, but necessary. The first of those sixteen furlongs began now. Side by side, the two horses cantered, aware of the sudden need to compete, and expecting to gallop soon. But as time went on, and they cantered around the final turn, it became apparent to Flash that they weren't going any faster anytime soon. He yanked harshly on the reins, once, a juvenile moment, but Henna held him sharply. With two year olds, you always had to be prepared. Fire continued to canter at the same pace, unfazed by Flash's outburst, but her eyes, her most expressive facial feature, depicted her sudden boredom, and her sudden need to crush Flash. Competition was bred into thoroughbreds. It was in their blood.
The two year olds swept into the stretch, and expectantly both lengthened their strides and waited for the command to sprint. They knew the pattern, and you sprinted to the wire. But not today, and the two year olds were confused. Fire carried on, her confusion apparent in her eyes but not enough to affect her running. Flash faltered slightly, confused, but Henna pushed him on. No horse was perfect in behavior, including Flash and his juvenile tendencies. But he was growing, much to the relief of those around him. Fire, on the other hand, grew annoyed now as Flash rejoined her at her side, and Krystal discovered something new about her. Though she liked running mid-pack, she hated having horses on her outside, as they impeded her running room. Flash was on her outside, and she dropped her pace in an attempt to change that. But Krystal kept her going. Fire reluctantly obeyed her cues, and kept Flash to her outside, but it was extremely annoying to her.
As they were making their way up the backstretch, Fire actually attempted to bolt in order to get Flash on her outside. She managed a couple strides before Krystal got her back under control. Krystal did a quick rein-back to let Henna catch up to them, and off they went again, Flash once more on Fire's outside. But they were drawing to the end of their workout now, and both horses' breathing was becoming a bit heavier. The pressure was mounting as both horses awaited the end - surely now they would be allowed to gallop? But the women kept them steadily at a canter, and it was with great annoyance that the two passed under the wire, and then great surprise and happiness when they were released into a sprint.
Fire and Flash instantly went right at it. No matter what their running styles had been before, pent up competitive energy flared, and now they had been released. Bay and bay ran side by side, one huge and the other smaller. Strides ate up the ground as horses raced and riders clung on for dear life. There was no mercy here. There was only horse racing, and only the glory that awaited the two if one of them crossed the finish first. Unfortunately, not one horse had time to prove superiority, for the women pulled them up into a trot. The half mile trot was not as eventful, despite the fact that Fire and Flash were glaring at each other the whole way.
As the two riders reached the gap, only one thing could be said. Rematch! they said together, and grinned. It was on.
