Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2012 13:16:33 GMT -5
TERROR SMILE && AIDEN SMITH
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Hailey felt drained since Becky was kicked but that wouldn't stop her from training horses. She decided that it was time to saddle up Terror Smile and send her out with Aiden. A month had nearly passed since the Winter Cup and she was really hoping to fit at least one more race in before the BC but she was not willing to risk it. Instead, she would just work her slowly a couple of times during December and then one timed work right before the race.
It was not even dawn yet when Hailey saddled up the grey filly. The sky was a dark blue and none of the horses had been fed yet. Before Hailey saddled her, she felt her legs. Nothing felt wrong or hot so she continued with the saddling. Smiles put up her usual saddling tantrum, bucking and kicking. Finally, Hailey had gotten her completely saddled. Aiden arrived a few minutes later and got ready to ride. He strapped a body protector over his torso and then put his helmet on. Hailey led the Smiles out of the saddling area and started towards the track. Aiden stroked her neck and whispered to her as he hopped on her back.
Hailey looked back at him, "I just want a slow gallop around the track, nothing more. Got it?" Aiden smiled half-heartedly, "Yup." Aiden had taken Becky's kick worse than anyone, even Kyle, who felt that it was his fault. It would do him good to ride Smiles today, his favorite filly. Hailey stopped and unclipped the lead rope from Smile's bridle but before she let them go she smiled at Aiden, "Enjoy yourself." He nodded, quietly and then sent Smiles off at a trot across the turf track.
The grey filly threw her head, excitedly and broke into a canter, Aiden holding her head close to her chest. She fought for a bit more rein but didn't object the tight hold on her mouth. As they crossed the wire for the first time, Aiden crouched low on her withers and let her have a bit of rein. Smiles responded instantly and charged forward into a gallop, spreading out. Aiden checked her gentley before letting her have the rein again. Smiles slowed into a very slow gallop and continued around the first turn. Aiden patted her neck quickly as they exited the turn. He glanced over to where Hailey would be standing but she wasn't there anymore. This struck him as weird for she would want to watch Smiles first work in a month, wouldn't she?
He turned back to the task at hand feeling a sudden increase in Smile's speed. He checked her once again and she slowed with a slight toss of the head. They entered the far turn and Aiden drew his attention once again to the rail where Hailey would be standing. She still hadn't shown up. Where had she gone? As they exited the turn, Smiles increased speed. Aiden looked down and checked her. A loud neigh made him look up. A grey stallion, tack streaming behind him came charging onto the track. He was heading straight for Aiden and Smiles. Aiden checked Smiles heavily and swerved her to the center of the track. Aiden slipped forward in the saddle. When Smiles had suddenly had to turn Aiden felt a suddle hitch in her step. The grey stallion barreled past on their inside. Smiles trotted forward, the hitch forgotten.
Hailey appeared at the rail on a chestnut lead pony. She whipped the pony into a full out gallop and charged after the colt. Aiden trotted Smiles over to the rail and stopped her. He waited for Hailey, whom had caught the colt and was now leading him back to the barn. Hailey signaled for Aiden to follow and he hopped off Smiles. He followed Hailey back to the saddling area. He tied the filly up and then went to meet up with Hailey who had tied the colt up. "Iron is wired... He really needs a work soon." Aiden was confused, "Iron?" Hailey nodded, "Yeah, I am planning on racing him in a month. You will be riding him." Aiden widened his eyes, "He almost just took out Smiles." Hailey nodded, "Yeah... He needs some work-- hasn't raced for a year. He can be quite unpredictable. Mike was just about to take him out but when he tried to get him saddled he spooked and took off towards the track. Sorry, I didn't get to see you work... He just was in need of some... help." Aiden nodded, "Yeah, it's okay. She did good. Galloped out well and really wanted to go." Hailey nodded, "That's good! We will send her out on Monday, too. Go ahead and get her unsaddled. I got to get this guy settled." She nodded to Iron Man.
Aiden got Smiles unsaddled and then cooled her out before putting her away. Almost immedietly, he headed to the house to go to tell Becky about Smile's work.
turf track; eight furlongs