Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2012 7:44:08 GMT -5
Icee was destined to be a star. It was in her blood, in her very nature. Her desire for competition was clear for all to see due to her behaviour at the stable. Already, with the filly at only two years old, the team had started to turn the filly out alone. The reason for this was simple, while Icee thrived in a competitive atmosphere she was also a highly dominant filly and was prone to shows of aggression at times. It was safer for everyone to keep the filly separate from other equines most of the time. At least when she was turned out alone, the most you were going to get were shows of her power and speed. She would gallop around the pasture, her head held high and just show off. It was almost as if she knew she were something special. But then again, her father had also been that way.
Originally, it had been suspected that Icee would only thrive on the dirt but during training she had been tested on the turf as well and had shown herself to handle it much better than expected. It was just one more thing which made Icee special, for dual surfaced horses had a lot more options available to them. However, it also meant that more work would need to be done with the filly to ensure she had the best chance on both surfaces. Several days previously, Icee had been given her initial work on the dirt and now it was time to give her that same preparation on the turf.
Icee moved quickly beside the handler, Lucas, and often pulled against the rein as he walked her down to the track for the morning work. Her dark eyes glinted, her head held high, and it was clear she knew where she was headed. It was not abnormal, the two year olds had seen the track a number of times during training and those who had a natural affinity for running often became a little excited when they headed down to the track. They knew it was a chance to run, and in Icee’s case a chance to show off.
Alexia had really enjoyed their first workout together, and was looking forward to the next. While she had not yet formed the strongest bond with her new ride, she knew that they would. Icee had been showing positive signs, and their bond could only grow with time and work. Yesterday, Alexia had found the time to groom the filly and today they would once again run together. There was no doubt that they would bond best on the track, in Alexia’s mind. After all, the filly seemed to be at her happiest when she was able to run and show off. They would work together, they would compete together, and in time they would become friends. But it all took time, and while that process was underway it was not complete.
The workout would be taking place over six furlongs on the turf, and while it was shorter than her preferred distance it would ensure that she would not become too tired as they wished to keep the filly in good health and shape. Luckily for them, she appeared strong and was a somewhat energetic youngster which meant she recovered quickly after races. Things definitely looked good for them, even if they would be careful not to push things too hard with her. After all, they wanted to get the most out of the filly without causing her harm.
As Alexia arrived at the track, she couldn’t help but smile. The turf had dried out in the sun and while it was still cold it was warmer than it had been at the end of the previous year. The dew glistened on the green blades of grass, the morning young as they stood out on the track. Icee pawed impatiently at the ground and tossed her head making her desire to get moving known. Alexia laughed at her as she walked over. She mounted, adeptly swinging herself into the saddle of the tall filly and stroked the equine’s muscular neck. ”Impatient today, are we Icee?” she asked the filly as Luccas began to lead them toward the gates.
The filly moved powerfully beneath her, eager to get started as they approached the starting gates. Her tassel cracked against her rump, her audits pressed forwards and she pulled at the rein while Lucas held her back. Once they reached the gate the handler pulled the filly to a halt for a moment, forcing her to wait for a moment before leading her to the gate. She entered well, without messing about at all, obviously alert. Alexia patted the filly’s neck, congratulating her for gating so well and without fuss, before rising in her stirrups. Now it was a waiting game, and they would soon be out on the track. The filly was patient enough and was still except for shifting her weight a little as she waited for the gates to open.
The buzzer sounded, and the workout was on. The filly broke quickly and moved at a good pace out on to the track. Her firm stride was short, allowing them to pick up pace quickly and they made the most of it. While Alexia did hold the filly back from tearing off too quickly she did allow the filly to utilise her speed. It was pleasant as they moved onwards. There were no battles of will, no huge fights as they continued on their path. Alexia pulled the filly toward the rail, settled into the rhythm of the movement and kept her eye on the track.
Icee was loving the workout. The track gave her to space to run and running made her feel free. As she powered forwards she felt amazing. The wind pulled through her mane, and her jockey was working well with her. The turf shifted only slightly beneath her hooves, and everything felt right. Alexia could tell the filly was enjoying herself, and that made the workout all the more perfect. She urged the filly on slightly, allowing her to push a little faster as they hit the three furlong mark. They were half way through the work, and things were feeling good. The furlongs were going too quickly, and very soon they had hit the two furlong mark.
Alexia drove the filly forwards, pushing herself almost parallel to the filly and cracking her crop the signal the start of the stretch. Encouraged, the filly kicked things up a notch and started to move even more quickly and while it was not by much it was impressive to see the pace at which they were moving. Stride by stride, they were chasing the post and as it drew closer there was a certain level of adrenaline flowing through their systems. For a moment, they seemed to be in perfect harmony and even though the moment did not last long it was progress. They passed the post, and it was another good workout under their belts.
Originally, it had been suspected that Icee would only thrive on the dirt but during training she had been tested on the turf as well and had shown herself to handle it much better than expected. It was just one more thing which made Icee special, for dual surfaced horses had a lot more options available to them. However, it also meant that more work would need to be done with the filly to ensure she had the best chance on both surfaces. Several days previously, Icee had been given her initial work on the dirt and now it was time to give her that same preparation on the turf.
Icee moved quickly beside the handler, Lucas, and often pulled against the rein as he walked her down to the track for the morning work. Her dark eyes glinted, her head held high, and it was clear she knew where she was headed. It was not abnormal, the two year olds had seen the track a number of times during training and those who had a natural affinity for running often became a little excited when they headed down to the track. They knew it was a chance to run, and in Icee’s case a chance to show off.
Alexia had really enjoyed their first workout together, and was looking forward to the next. While she had not yet formed the strongest bond with her new ride, she knew that they would. Icee had been showing positive signs, and their bond could only grow with time and work. Yesterday, Alexia had found the time to groom the filly and today they would once again run together. There was no doubt that they would bond best on the track, in Alexia’s mind. After all, the filly seemed to be at her happiest when she was able to run and show off. They would work together, they would compete together, and in time they would become friends. But it all took time, and while that process was underway it was not complete.
The workout would be taking place over six furlongs on the turf, and while it was shorter than her preferred distance it would ensure that she would not become too tired as they wished to keep the filly in good health and shape. Luckily for them, she appeared strong and was a somewhat energetic youngster which meant she recovered quickly after races. Things definitely looked good for them, even if they would be careful not to push things too hard with her. After all, they wanted to get the most out of the filly without causing her harm.
As Alexia arrived at the track, she couldn’t help but smile. The turf had dried out in the sun and while it was still cold it was warmer than it had been at the end of the previous year. The dew glistened on the green blades of grass, the morning young as they stood out on the track. Icee pawed impatiently at the ground and tossed her head making her desire to get moving known. Alexia laughed at her as she walked over. She mounted, adeptly swinging herself into the saddle of the tall filly and stroked the equine’s muscular neck. ”Impatient today, are we Icee?” she asked the filly as Luccas began to lead them toward the gates.
The filly moved powerfully beneath her, eager to get started as they approached the starting gates. Her tassel cracked against her rump, her audits pressed forwards and she pulled at the rein while Lucas held her back. Once they reached the gate the handler pulled the filly to a halt for a moment, forcing her to wait for a moment before leading her to the gate. She entered well, without messing about at all, obviously alert. Alexia patted the filly’s neck, congratulating her for gating so well and without fuss, before rising in her stirrups. Now it was a waiting game, and they would soon be out on the track. The filly was patient enough and was still except for shifting her weight a little as she waited for the gates to open.
The buzzer sounded, and the workout was on. The filly broke quickly and moved at a good pace out on to the track. Her firm stride was short, allowing them to pick up pace quickly and they made the most of it. While Alexia did hold the filly back from tearing off too quickly she did allow the filly to utilise her speed. It was pleasant as they moved onwards. There were no battles of will, no huge fights as they continued on their path. Alexia pulled the filly toward the rail, settled into the rhythm of the movement and kept her eye on the track.
Icee was loving the workout. The track gave her to space to run and running made her feel free. As she powered forwards she felt amazing. The wind pulled through her mane, and her jockey was working well with her. The turf shifted only slightly beneath her hooves, and everything felt right. Alexia could tell the filly was enjoying herself, and that made the workout all the more perfect. She urged the filly on slightly, allowing her to push a little faster as they hit the three furlong mark. They were half way through the work, and things were feeling good. The furlongs were going too quickly, and very soon they had hit the two furlong mark.
Alexia drove the filly forwards, pushing herself almost parallel to the filly and cracking her crop the signal the start of the stretch. Encouraged, the filly kicked things up a notch and started to move even more quickly and while it was not by much it was impressive to see the pace at which they were moving. Stride by stride, they were chasing the post and as it drew closer there was a certain level of adrenaline flowing through their systems. For a moment, they seemed to be in perfect harmony and even though the moment did not last long it was progress. They passed the post, and it was another good workout under their belts.