Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2012 11:38:17 GMT -5
She had been doing well. Even though she had not yet taken a win in the current season she had taken both a first and a second placing in the two races she had ran so far this year. Which meant that for the current year she had a consistency level of one hundred percent. A good start, and she was sure to improve as she got used to her new home environment and the team she was working with. But she had been settling well and, with an understanding team, was able to be comfortable when at her home stable. No being in a busy yard surrounded by horses, but being around the back where she could relax because the staff had noticed her aversion to other equines - something which was sure to be interesting should they ever choose to put her to brood.
Tanya had been spending a lot of time with the filly and as such their bond was growing stronger on an almost daily basis. In fact, Tanya had taken the process of bonding with the filly so seriously that she had taken over most aspects of her care - feeding and grooming had become her task entirely and on the days she could make time she even cleaned out the filly's stall. Anything to feel closer and to get a chance to spend time with the beautiful black filly and to get a chance to build their bond. As such, they had built a friendship of sorts. Tanya could now read the warning signs of a bad day, and could tell when the filly wanted any sort of attention. The true test of their bond, however, was on the track. Had they come to understand each other well enough to perform well?
The test was quickly approaching - the Star Festival. It took the top entrants from the Boy's Festival and the Girl's Festival and pitched them against one another, allowing the equines to fight for supremacy in a fierce contest of strength, will and speed. Things which Beltane did not lack. She had placed second in the Girl's Festival - she intended to make it first at the Star Festival. No one would be allowed to get in their way. Beltane was not a filly who likes to lose, and she would not fall short of the mare White Chocolate again. Or any other equine for that matter. It was a building desire to win, to be the best, and she had the power to make it happen.
Tanya was equally determined, although it didn't show as a burning need outwardly she longed to be recognised as a successful jockey and this was her big chance. There was no way that she would be letting this go. After all, her sister was ridiculing her left right and centre because of her being an 'inferior' jockey and not having a star of a ride like Stormi. Tanya didn't like it, and she would do something about it.
With a lack of horses around gating was a simple task. She did not freak out, fight gating or anything else. Instead she was calm, collected. Ready for a workout, ready to improve her skills. She knew this was the way. Well, racing was really, but this was the next best thing - and it did not involve other horses. As the gates were closed behind her she was focussed, determined to become a champion, and there was no way anything would distract her from the workout until it was over. This was where her and her jockey needed to become one in their goals in order to be the best team that they could be.
The gates opened and she broke from them quickly, cleanly, efficiently. With her head held high she moved at a relatively slow pace for a front runner - not tearing off like a maniac but calm and ready to take on some real competition. Stride by stride she moves forwards, the turf beneath her slipping away as she made her advance on the post. It was a short race, her gait was flawless and it did not take her long to cross the first three furlongs of the six furlong stretch which had been put before her. Tanya knew that it was time to act and while she had allowed the black filly to run things her way until that moment now she needed to act.
The crop came down on the rump of the filly and she bolted forwards, showing an increase in speed as they moved over the short distance between them and the post. Tanya drove the competitive filly hard and the filly threw all her effort into the stretch. The gap closed quickly and very soon they were soaring past the post at high speeds. Another improved time, another good workout and a chance at a victory in the Star Festival.
Tanya had been spending a lot of time with the filly and as such their bond was growing stronger on an almost daily basis. In fact, Tanya had taken the process of bonding with the filly so seriously that she had taken over most aspects of her care - feeding and grooming had become her task entirely and on the days she could make time she even cleaned out the filly's stall. Anything to feel closer and to get a chance to spend time with the beautiful black filly and to get a chance to build their bond. As such, they had built a friendship of sorts. Tanya could now read the warning signs of a bad day, and could tell when the filly wanted any sort of attention. The true test of their bond, however, was on the track. Had they come to understand each other well enough to perform well?
The test was quickly approaching - the Star Festival. It took the top entrants from the Boy's Festival and the Girl's Festival and pitched them against one another, allowing the equines to fight for supremacy in a fierce contest of strength, will and speed. Things which Beltane did not lack. She had placed second in the Girl's Festival - she intended to make it first at the Star Festival. No one would be allowed to get in their way. Beltane was not a filly who likes to lose, and she would not fall short of the mare White Chocolate again. Or any other equine for that matter. It was a building desire to win, to be the best, and she had the power to make it happen.
Tanya was equally determined, although it didn't show as a burning need outwardly she longed to be recognised as a successful jockey and this was her big chance. There was no way that she would be letting this go. After all, her sister was ridiculing her left right and centre because of her being an 'inferior' jockey and not having a star of a ride like Stormi. Tanya didn't like it, and she would do something about it.
With a lack of horses around gating was a simple task. She did not freak out, fight gating or anything else. Instead she was calm, collected. Ready for a workout, ready to improve her skills. She knew this was the way. Well, racing was really, but this was the next best thing - and it did not involve other horses. As the gates were closed behind her she was focussed, determined to become a champion, and there was no way anything would distract her from the workout until it was over. This was where her and her jockey needed to become one in their goals in order to be the best team that they could be.
The gates opened and she broke from them quickly, cleanly, efficiently. With her head held high she moved at a relatively slow pace for a front runner - not tearing off like a maniac but calm and ready to take on some real competition. Stride by stride she moves forwards, the turf beneath her slipping away as she made her advance on the post. It was a short race, her gait was flawless and it did not take her long to cross the first three furlongs of the six furlong stretch which had been put before her. Tanya knew that it was time to act and while she had allowed the black filly to run things her way until that moment now she needed to act.
The crop came down on the rump of the filly and she bolted forwards, showing an increase in speed as they moved over the short distance between them and the post. Tanya drove the competitive filly hard and the filly threw all her effort into the stretch. The gap closed quickly and very soon they were soaring past the post at high speeds. Another improved time, another good workout and a chance at a victory in the Star Festival.