Post by Cavallo on Jul 11, 2012 21:10:35 GMT -5
Week three was going to be a big week for Nightshade and Abastor.
The two 2yos though from two entirely different parents acted like siblings...and to some degree they kind of were....but in reality...they were simply cousins...born in the same year.
Nightshade's dam, Requiem, and Abastor's sire, Bucephalus, were twins. Opposites....but still twins and it was funny...but when you looked at these two dark 2yos...you would think they were too. But they weren't. They definitely acted like it though.
Jeff and Michael led their charges out of the trailer and onto the turf track. Abastor raised his head excitedly as he gracefully stepped off the trailer. Nightshade and Michael came off right behind them as she let loose a shrill whinny after Abastor...
It was weird. Atropa was a dominating, head strong filly and Abastor was a rambunctious high spirited colt, but the moment they were together...it was like they became glued at the hip...Michael had discovered this one day when bringing Atropa in from the paddocks...Abastor was right there along the fence-line and both just pitched a fit when he tried leading her away to do their work....so now they had far separated paddocks to avoid the drama.
Today though Michael had the brilliant idea of working them together. He had a theory and today they would test it with races right around the corner.
Okay Jeff...here's the general idea...Atropa and Aba here can't stand to really be separated...the goal is to run them hard and fast...the increase of speed will push both of them to run faster to maintain with the other...We're working on sheer speed and endurance today...something that they will both need in their races to come.
Jeff nodded as he jumped up into his saddle atop of Abastor. Michael followed suit on Atropa. Let's warm 'em up and then take them from the gates...and let's run them about 5 furlongs.
Jeff nodded, Sounds good. We'll meet you at the gate.
He nudged Aba into a canter, while Michael situated himself, but...as soon as Aba and Jeff started pulling away Atropa instantly grabbed her bit and trotted after them, Michael briefly flailing in the air at the unexpected movement....
WHOA ATROPA! He grabbed a hunk of mane to keep his seat, while she tossed her head lively coming up on Aba's flank...not about to be left behind. Michael situated himself quickly and grabbed the bit back from the filly.
Um...Jeff what do you say we warm up together? He had a goofy grin on his face....maybe this wasn't such a god idea...but then again...they weren't running yet.
Jeff had laughed at the comical scene Michael had made, but nodded his agreement. Aba nickered eagerly for Atropa to catch up and soon they did...
The duo warmed up in good fashion as they trotted and cantered around the track like two synchronized swimmers.
Both horses eyed each other in competitve spirit, but their riders managed to keep them in check. Michael smiled, After this last lap around the track, let's make for the gates.
Jeff smiled and nodded as they finished up, both horses moved with fire and desire, necks arched in regal displays as the pair showed off for the other...
Bunch of puffed up peacocks... Jeff laughed atride Abastor as they approached the gates and entered their slot. Nightshade tossed her head and pushed after them making her own grand entrance into her slot. Eyes gleaming and coat glistening.
Remeber Jeff...five furlongs. Jeff jockyied himself into position and Michael followed suit. They stood in their irons poised like vultures prepared to attack.
It was like slow motion...the gates slowly parted and Jeff and Michael saw all as the fire errupted throughout the length of each horse. Forelegs extended and heads thrusted forward...their eyes now locked on the prize of the turf and on their competition...this would be a workout to remember.
Jeff saw himself gasping for breath as Abastor suddenly launched forward taking the slight lead, but then there was Nightshade right on his right flank. Her eyes flashed fire, but made no move to increase her speed, but neither would she let him gain an inch.
Michael smiled, yes this was going to be good.
Michael waved at Jeff to increase his speed and Jeff ducking under his arm looked back and caught the signal and fed more of the rein to the black colt. Hungrily he ate it up as he upped his pace a notch. As Aba began to pull away fire flashed in her eyes as she asked for more from Michael, he willingly supplied...
The wind began to whip even faster about his face as he felt the black bay filly surge after the colt, her eyes glinting with intelligence and calculating, but Aba had intelligence of his own and let her come....
Three furlongs gone in a blur...two remained. Michael gave Atropa full rein and she slowly began her cat and mouse game...gaining on the black colt. Jeff watched in amazement of the filly. He saw that she had full rein, but was still using discretion and tactics....toying with the black. Aba wasn't having any of it.
He glared back dangerously...he didn't respond to her toying....yes she'd met her match in him. Their eyes locked as one they surged in a dead run for the finish. Jeff fed the colt the full rein and felt him fully extend, Atropa a reflecting shadow...
Beauty in full extension....the final challenge was overe in mere seconds, but felt like an eternity. Jeff and Michael smiled slowly at one another...they had just burned through five furlongs in less than 30 seconds....and there was still more t be had in their mounts. Simultaneously, they dark pair of horses slowed down. Aba reared slightly as Jeff then turned him to face Michael and Atropa, her head tossed as Michael regained control of the black bay filly.
Jeff, my new friend...we just had one of the best rides of our lives...
Jeff smiled as he kept the worked up colt in check. Come race day..they won't know what hit 'em.
