it's what i do.

[alicekcrose]

It was the morning of the race. I was nervous, but seeing hardly any other than the horses training, we thought this race could be a breeze. We don't think we'll do it... there are certainly at least three or four strong runners in there... I'm going to say, a placing of around fifth will make me proud. Isa was so calm and serene today. The storm last night had made all the other horses a bit on there toes, but Isa was calm. I'd plaited him up ready for the race. I knew that with the way he was going, we could win this.

As I walked through the GHF Barn, Isa pricked his ears. He couldn't see the horses through his blinkers, only what was straight ahead. Horses have a 360 degree view. Smiling, I squeezed him on to the dirt. It was slightly sloppy after last nights storm, but I was determined to get a good race, and work. Squeezing the colt forward, I niggled him into a trot. Isa broke into an exaggerated movement lively trot. He really picked his knees up.

We were doing our own thing today. As we trotted, I let him break into a steady collected canter. I stood in my stirrups as the colt really picked his feet up. I loved this boy. After our victory in the maiden race, it was time to show Eternal Phantom and Paradise Island our butt. "Let's go kick some butt, boy." I smiled and quicked the collected canter into a very nice rhythmical canter. We came up to the five furlong post, where I began to let the rein slip through my hands.

Isa began to pick up speed. He ran at a nice pace yet again, what he'd usually run at, around the back of the pack. At four furlongs, I began to niggle him forward. I saw that near the entrance of the track, Jacey Leigh had come out to watch. I ignored her and continued to urge my boy a bit further. He picked up speed, like he'd do in a race, over taking all the imaginary horses, that weren't there, almost like it was the race itself.

As we came round the turn, Isa changed his leads, and sped up even more. I kept urging him very slightly. As we flew round the home turn, we kicked dirt up behind us... I say dirt, I mean more like mud. Isa didn't mind, he was loving it, sloshing in the puddles, flying down the home stretch. I smiled and pushed him more till he flew over the line. I relaxed and pulled him up. Jacey Leigh smiled. "46.9 for four furlongs, girl. That was good." I grinned and patted Isa on the neck. "Now let's go kick some butt." I said.