Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2011 9:29:07 GMT -5
Alexia had rose early this morning, the adrenaline from the race several days previously still flowing through her veins. She had done it. She had raced Aztareal in his first race and it hadn't been a complete disaster. OK, so it might not have been the first place she'd have liked but it was his first race and they had a long way to go. Walking across the yard she was forced to squint, the early morning sun rising and beaming into her eyes. Around the yard all was quiet - even Aztareal had yet to start kicking up a fuss.
Donned in black jodhpurs and a blue top, Alexia was ready for a day of work and that always started in one way - workouts. Since the race Aztareal had been on rest. She had given him attention, gone out and let him into the pastures, but he had not been worked. Today that would change, today things were back to normal. She walked calmly into the tack room and fetched the tack for Aztec. Her star had a big life ahead of him, and she would be there for him throughout.
As he saw her the chestnut horse whinnied, calling out to her and she smiled. That was her boy, always ready for the affection she might lavish on him. Or work. She had never seen a horse so eager to run, and he certainly could run. It was hard to believe at times just how much her boy enjoyed his work. She put the saddle down on the door, opened the stable and walked in, pushing the over-eager Aztec back as she did. "Calm boy, you'll be out in a minute." she told him, her voice almost cooing. Piece by piece she placed the tack onto the stunning chestnut thoroughbred and secured it in place. Each thing she was careful with, her determination for everything to be perfect clear.
"You ready boy?" she asked him, getting an energetic tug at the lead rein in reply. It had been a foolish question really, but she really found it hard to believe the sheer energy of the colt. Even as she walked him out of the stable his gait seemed bouncy and energetic, as if he was ready to burst into a gallop at any moment. It was a great feeling, knowing how much he loved it, and she decided to jog beside the thoroughbred down to the track, him taking a beautiful trot at her side. So magnificent, so fluent and wonderful. How had it come to be that she owned such a beauty?
When they reached the track she led him onto it and pulled him to a halt. She removed the lead rope, took hold of the reins and mounted. First, she walked him. Then, she allowed him to trot and canter. Once she was sure he was properly warmed up, and only then, did she move him toward the gate. An attendant helped to gate the thoroughbred, closing the back behind them and Alexia assured the colt who for a moment seemed nervous.
The gates opened and they were off. Eight furlongs was the colt's next race, so that was what they would practice running today. For now, they would do it without a training partner. She wanted Aztec to know the distance before they brought in such things, after all. Next week, they would probably introduce another to help things along. But, for now, it was just them.
The colt took joy in stretching his legs, in reaching that gait in which he felt like he could fly. Gallop, the humans called it, but it didn't matter what it was called. To him it was just the most magical and natural thing in the world. To feel the wind in his mane, the dirt track shifting beneath his hooves. It was like he was free, and with Alexia nothing could go wrong. After all, Alexia was his rider. Eyes gleamed as he moved onwards, reacting to even the slightest touch of the reins.
Soon, they rounded the last corner. The whip licked his rump and he knew it was time to let go. Now, he sped up. He willed his legs to move faster beneath him and the world seemed to disappear into a blur as he sprinted down the straight until they passed the post. Then, Alexia started to pull him back down through the paces. His auds flicked, his breath came back to a normal pace and he relaxed. For several minutes, Alexia rode him and then she dismounted and removed his saddle. Once they got up to the stable he would be groomed and that was his work for the day. Still, he had come first and that felt good.
Donned in black jodhpurs and a blue top, Alexia was ready for a day of work and that always started in one way - workouts. Since the race Aztareal had been on rest. She had given him attention, gone out and let him into the pastures, but he had not been worked. Today that would change, today things were back to normal. She walked calmly into the tack room and fetched the tack for Aztec. Her star had a big life ahead of him, and she would be there for him throughout.
As he saw her the chestnut horse whinnied, calling out to her and she smiled. That was her boy, always ready for the affection she might lavish on him. Or work. She had never seen a horse so eager to run, and he certainly could run. It was hard to believe at times just how much her boy enjoyed his work. She put the saddle down on the door, opened the stable and walked in, pushing the over-eager Aztec back as she did. "Calm boy, you'll be out in a minute." she told him, her voice almost cooing. Piece by piece she placed the tack onto the stunning chestnut thoroughbred and secured it in place. Each thing she was careful with, her determination for everything to be perfect clear.
"You ready boy?" she asked him, getting an energetic tug at the lead rein in reply. It had been a foolish question really, but she really found it hard to believe the sheer energy of the colt. Even as she walked him out of the stable his gait seemed bouncy and energetic, as if he was ready to burst into a gallop at any moment. It was a great feeling, knowing how much he loved it, and she decided to jog beside the thoroughbred down to the track, him taking a beautiful trot at her side. So magnificent, so fluent and wonderful. How had it come to be that she owned such a beauty?
When they reached the track she led him onto it and pulled him to a halt. She removed the lead rope, took hold of the reins and mounted. First, she walked him. Then, she allowed him to trot and canter. Once she was sure he was properly warmed up, and only then, did she move him toward the gate. An attendant helped to gate the thoroughbred, closing the back behind them and Alexia assured the colt who for a moment seemed nervous.
The gates opened and they were off. Eight furlongs was the colt's next race, so that was what they would practice running today. For now, they would do it without a training partner. She wanted Aztec to know the distance before they brought in such things, after all. Next week, they would probably introduce another to help things along. But, for now, it was just them.
The colt took joy in stretching his legs, in reaching that gait in which he felt like he could fly. Gallop, the humans called it, but it didn't matter what it was called. To him it was just the most magical and natural thing in the world. To feel the wind in his mane, the dirt track shifting beneath his hooves. It was like he was free, and with Alexia nothing could go wrong. After all, Alexia was his rider. Eyes gleamed as he moved onwards, reacting to even the slightest touch of the reins.
Soon, they rounded the last corner. The whip licked his rump and he knew it was time to let go. Now, he sped up. He willed his legs to move faster beneath him and the world seemed to disappear into a blur as he sprinted down the straight until they passed the post. Then, Alexia started to pull him back down through the paces. His auds flicked, his breath came back to a normal pace and he relaxed. For several minutes, Alexia rode him and then she dismounted and removed his saddle. Once they got up to the stable he would be groomed and that was his work for the day. Still, he had come first and that felt good.