nightmare

[Millie]

This Means War ridden by Millie Daveys
Daydream ridden by Jaymee-Leigh Smith

The sun began shining through the darkened clouds and a pair of shiloettes, in the shape of horse and rider, could be seen making their way down the center of the crisp dirt track. One was a muscular bay coloured colt, the other a fine bay coloured filly. Ans, ridden by Millie, was quite a success really, although he had let it slip recently which was one of the main reasons Millie wanted to ride him today; to get him sorted back out. Rea on the other hand had also been doing great, placing in 3 out of 4 starts! However, she was yet to break her maiden and Jaymee was determind to make it soon.

The two thoroughbreds made their way side by side, relatively calmly, down the center of the track. Very suprisingly, to say that both horses were pretty hot headed when on the track. After a few minutes of walking Ans began to become impatient. He tossed his head side to side, raising his front feet high as he did so. Oi cheeky! Millie shouted out to him. He was a little fresh to say the least. He continued throwing his head around as he began to move sidewards down the track in a high legged trotting action. Millie sat in the saddle and sighed at him, Silly boy. With a swift kick out with his right hind leg Millie gave him a sharp tap with the whip on his hing quarter. At that he gave a small buck and then went to continue walking down the track as though nothing had happened.

By this point Rea was pretty worked up. Because Ans had made his way ahead because of his foolish behaviour she was eager to catch up to him. Naturally she ran best at the front of the pack and Ans was a closer. Jaymee struggled to hold Rea back as she didn't want her to get too worked up before the run. Hey, hold up! Jaymee shouted to Millie. Millie and Ans paused until Jaymee and Rea had caught up. When they did both jockeys urged their horses forwards to a trot. As they did both horses settled slightly into a nice controlled trot.

Quickly their pace was altered to canter. Rea threw a cheeky little buck in as she altered her pace. As she did so Ans let out a little squeel and tossed his head. Both horses were very excited to be out today, it was asif they hadn't been out for the past two months! Ans settled in a nice rhythm just laying on Rea's hind quarters. They warmed up calmly following their little episodes. As they came around to the straight Millie and Jaymee glanced sidewards to each other and nodded, ready for the gallop.

Today they were just running two furlongs. One furlong to get a gallop out of their systems and another which would act as a closing furlong in a race. Like they did in canter, Rea settled slightly ahead of Ans, by only half a length or so. Neither horse fought with their jockey's requests as they were both fairly happy and comfortable with the position they were running in. Neither trainer really knew which horse would come out on top today. Sure, Ans was grade five with a couple of wins under his belt and a decent record with good consistency. But Rea had a very consistent record and had just as much talent as Ans, she just hadn't had that lucky break yet. Although in the past few weeks Jaymee had really seen that spark come to light in Rea and she believed that she was now ready to run again, but this time, win!

The two horses still lay quiet, like lions waiting to pounce. Their hooves raced almost exactly in time with each other. They came around to the final furlong of the run. Simultaneously both jockeys began to urge their horses onwards. Rea dug deep and shot down the inner rail, securing the lead. Ans quickened his speed, slowly creeping up the inner rail, until he was at Rea's quarters. He made his way towards a more central position. Allwing him to overtake Rea, if he could. Rea and Jaymee could see Ans and Millie coming up out of the corner of their eye, but they weren't going down without a fight. It was time for Rea to shine for once. She took the bit in her teeth, reached out her neck and dug down deep. Ans attempted to take over Rea. His effort was very hearty and really was a show. But Rea wasn't letting this one go! As they swooped past the two furlong marker, which marked the end of their race. Rea had secured her victory by only about half a length. But still, a win was a win, and against a higher grade horse like Ans it was especially something to be proud of.

Both horses gradually came back to a walk. Well done! She'll go far if you stick with her, I bet you'll be hot on our heels soon! Millie shouted over, congratulating Jaymee. A smile spread across her face as she patted Rae on the neck and ruffled the mane up by her ears. Both horses were surely set for their next races after that great run.

Word Count: 900