Post by alicekcrose on Apr 4, 2012 2:39:04 GMT -5
Ears perked, the small framed yet muscular colt stepped on to the dirt. He knew what he was doing, and so did I. Sat upon the colt for the second time in the three days I've had him, it was time to show his true colours. We were going to win this maiden race. We were going to go for the Triple Crown come next spring. The beautiful gelding snorted and let out a whinny. He'd really gotten used to me, and it was like there was a connection.
I squeezed him into a gentle trot, and the colt stretched his neck out, ears pricked yet again. He flicked his toes. Each hoof hit the floor in even time with each other. We were going to win this race, and at the rate we were going, we were going to win the Burning Blaze Stakes, too. Keeping his head very still, I sat and squeezed and he broke into a lovely canter as we slowly entered the clubhouse turn.
Being approached by a skewbald pony horse, Isa pinned his ears flat back. "Oi," I said, as I gathered a bit more rain and brought his head in. Staring out of his blinkers, he ignored the pony horse and I kept him going. The beautiful skewbald came alongside and on board, the rider asked me what I would like to do. "Five furlongs, please." He nodded in reply.
As we approached the six furlong post, Isa's canter was more bouncy and speedy. Just after we passed the six furlong post, the man on the pony horse let us go. "Good luck and enjoy your work!" He said as we began to gallop off. Isa instantly sped up, and powered along the backstretch. We came to the five furlong mark and the workout began.
I loosened the grip on the rein and let him have some head. Isa powered along the fast dirt. Powering down the track, he kicked the dirt up behind him. I thought he was at the fastest he could go when I asked him a bit more. Immediately, the colt lengthened his stride and changed his leads as we entered the home turn.
With astonishment, I continued to ask him bit by bit. The more I asked, the more he delivered. He was working so hard, and wasn't even burning up a sweat. I felt so proud of my little Isa. I took some rein up and urged him along and he flew round the home turn.
At the top of the home stretch, I gave him his mouth back and let him run as much as he could without me urging him. He was practically flying. He was going so quick I couldn't feel his feet hitting the floor. It was like reality had turned into a dream and I wasn't in real life.
The chestnut gelding powered and crossed the line. I eased off and brought him pack to a trot, patting his neck. He was only warm and wasn't even sweating. I grinned and threw my arms around his neck. "Let's go win a maiden race, boy." I smiled, and trotted to the track exit where I brought him back to a walk and entered the barn.