Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on Oct 16, 2011 14:00:33 GMT -5
AXIS MUNDAE and AMBER BLACK
WORKOUT FOR THE AZALEA CUP FILLIES
The black filly had grown in the first months of her two year old season. She had filled out and gotten a taste for competition, and she desired trips to the winners circle now more than ever. Now she was working for a big race, the Azalea Cup Fillies against a nice sized field of good horses. Axia had gained experience during the season, and with her intelligence she was putting that experience to good work. Amber hoped that they could take the Azalea Fillies, but even if they failed knew that they had time to make up for the loss. Axia was bold and daring; Amber knew she would try her hardest out there, and that was all Amber would ever ask of her mounts. The horse that tried its hardest and failed was dearer to her heart than the horse that didn't try yet won. A combination of both was, of course, preferable.
Axia moved like a predator out onto the turf track. She glared at the world around her, looking for challenges while at the same time challenging the challenges to come out and face her. She desired to overcome any obstacle in her path. Long, sleek legs cut smoothly over the turf, brute force in muscles and in personality. She was making a quiet show of her dominance. Any of the passing horses that were also working this morning would do better to keep their distance, yet they get challenged and eventually outclassed by the two year old filly who thought the world of herself. Amber held the filly in loose readiness. She would react quickly enough to stop the filly if she did something unexpected, but Axia was predictable. She would challenge the horses around her, but know better to make any more of a show out of it. She knew it wasn't worth it, and Amber appreciated that intelligence.
Amber cued the filly, and Axia's stride shifted smoothly into a canter. Hers was a quick, short stride that carried her sixteen and a half hands of height forward in a very efficient manner. Axia was a miler, a semi sprinter and a semi classic distance horse. Like her dam, she had inherited the speed and power necessary for sprints, but like her sire she could also go a bit of distance with great success. Her twin sister Beltane had proved to be a bit more flexible. Already the two fillies were fierce rivals, in Amber's mind anyway. She was looking forward to see how the two fillies developed, both as individuals and as rivals towards each other.
When Amber felt that a sufficient amount of time had passed, she leaned forward and let the reins go. Axia took up the slack like an overeager youngster, which was exactly what she was despite her more mature appearance. She took up as much rein as she could, and then asked for more, but Amber was firm. They would go only at the pace Amber dictated, no slower and no faster. Axia eventually settled down, her experiences with Amber telling her there was, once again, no point to even trying. Amber smirked. Axia was learning to read and understand her well. Amber could tell that she and Axia were definitely just getting started in their relationship, and couldn't wait to see where it went in the future. Axia would be with her for many more years, and then as a broodmare. There was plenty of time for their bond to grow.
Wind whistled through Amber's hair, making her eyes sting and blowing Axia's silky black mane into her face. Amber enjoyed the feeling of pure power she got from riding thoroughbred racehorses. It was something that couldn't be equaled on the fastest roller coaster or most powerful draft horse. It was pure speed, pure heart, pure love at first sight. There was nothing like galloping a racehorse along a track, especially if it was Amber's favorite surface of turf. Amber felt completely at home on the thoroughbred's back. She had raced thoroughbreds for years. How could she not, when she had ridden so many horses? She could probably fall asleep on a galloping horse, though such an idea would lead to serious injury, both to her and probably the horse.
Axia's strides remained steady and ground-eating. Amber drank in the speed for a half mile before beginning to slow the filly down. The reluctant two year old resisted at first, then finally began to oblige her jockey. Slowly but steadily, they dropped to a canter, then a trot, and finally a walk. Axia was breathing steadily, lightly flecked with sweat. She was a picture of perfection as she walked forward over the turf. Amber felt her filly's movement, observing it for fatigue, and found none. She smirked. They were ready to take on Axia's rival two year old fillies in the Azalea Cup. The six furlong turf sprint was a new and current goal, and Amber hoped to conquer it aboard the black thoroughbred filly who was undeterred by anything in her path.
