Post by Millie on Apr 14, 2012 6:13:20 GMT -5
This Means War ridden by Millie Daveys
Lately it felt like Ans' results had been going down hill. And to be honest Millie just couldn't understand why. A record was good enough, though now it had a few bad results on and Millie and Ans had deffinately put all of the work in. With the confusion and stress that Millie had been feeling lately, she decided to just go for a calm hack with Ans. No racing, no track, no stress and no hastle. Perhaps a short break would revive his winning streak, or at least his placing streak.
Millie mounted the fine young colt, tightened the girth and without a thought they were off. The exited the yard and made their way down the drive. Today they were going for a lovely hack down the track through the woods. It followed a winding stream and at the end it all gathered to a still lake and small waterfall, maybe a short dip would be in order.
The pair came to the end of the drive, feeling like they were leaving all of the pressure and stress or racing life behind Millie had a huge smile on her face and felt as though she should really be doing this more often. Yeah, sure some of the other horses were doing great, but why shouldn't they get a break too. It couldn't do any harm. Ans made his way down the quiet contry road. A few cows moo'd and a few sheep baa'd, but apart from that it was pure silence, bliss. After a few minutes they arrived at the bridleway. Millie reached down, opened the gate and urged Ans to walk through the gap. He did so and stood quietly at the other side as Millie lent down again to close it.
They had arrived at the woods and Millie could already hear the sound of the stream flowing through the trees. Excitedly, she urged Ans forward to a trot. He too was a bit excited and bounced forwards into a quick trot. Millie followed the path for a while, until she recognised the point where they needed to cut off. She turned Ans down and ducked her head as they approached a few low branches. They quickly reached the stream. Millie halted Ans for a few seconds as she admired the view. Sure, it was nice around the racing barn, but it had been a while since she'd seen new scenery and Ans was really enjoying it too.
With a great smile spread across her face she urged Ans from halt to canter. He lept forward into a quick, forward going canter. Millie sat forward out of the saddle and allowed And to pick his own way down the path at the side of the stream. A small log lay ahead. Ans may not be a steeplechaser but he sure had a jump on him! Ans didn't have to be asked twice. 3, 2, 1! He lept up, clearing the log easily. Millie laughed to herself, she was actually having a lot of fun, more than she had for a long time. She allowed Ans to continue cantering along, clearing the occasional ditch and small log.
Soon they reached the lake and small waterfall. Millie couldn't wait, without a hesitation from her self she faced Ans towards the banking of the lake and urged him down. With a small weave from side to side with hesitation he slowly lifted one front leg, and then, what felt like was in slow motion, he lifted his other and lept forwards into the lake. He lifted his head up sharply as the water splashed in his face. After a few moments Ans was used to the water and pawed at it with his feet, throwing his head up and down, with the odd tiny rear.
Millie asked him to go deeper into the water. This time without a hesitation, he did so. He began swimming through the calm water. The pair were having so much fun! And Millie had a new found, even bigger love and hope for the colt now. She was so determind to get him back on form and winning again, he deserved it because he ran his heart out each time he stepped foot on to any track.
After a while of splashing around in the lake, Millie and Ans headed back to the yard for a good rest up until his next race. He would have a few small works before then, but not as much as usual. Millie felt that today had been the most beneficial 'workout' and this would be the one that got him out of the bad streak.
Word Count: 777
