Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2012 9:44:12 GMT -5
Following the fiasco at Kacey Hill Stables, which had resulted in the stable being withdrawn from the Green Horse Fields circuit and Alice retiring completely from racing, Instant Success had returned to his original home - Silver Stride Stables. He had seen a good season so far, with three wins in three starts during January, and it was hoped that he would be able to continue this winning streak back with Silver Stride Stables and his old jockey, Jacob Donovan. But it had been a long time since the pair had ran together, and Matthias knew that they would need to work to rebuild the bond which existed between them. As such, during the month's break which had been planned for the colt, he would be worked with his original jockey several times in the hopes that it would be enough for them to run well together once more.
The chestnut colt was stubborn and temperamental at the best of times, and this was certainly not the best time the cot had known. He had been moved, again, and there was a lot of change for him to adjust to. Due to the changes, he had become as difficult as ever and had been proving himself to be a challenge for the Silver Stride Stables handlers. Which was why, as usual, Lucas had been called to deal with the colt. He had been promoted to head handler, and was more than adept at dealing with more difficult equines.
Isa was having none of it. As the handler led him down toward the track he would stop suddenly, or bolt forwards, in an attempt to get the better of the blonde man. His audits pinned against his skull as he struggled, but to no avail. Time after time Lucas expertly brought the colt to heel and after the fifth failed attempt the colt seemed to fall beside him with no further arguments. Lucas patted the small thoroughbred's neck and continued walking forwards.
Jacob was excited, but also nervous, about riding Isa again. The colt had come a long way since he had left the stable and had proven himself to be a huge threat on the three-year-old circuit. He ran not only on dirt, as he had when he had left, but was also successful on turf. For today, they would be working on the dirt - the surface Jacob was accustomed to riding the colt on - but in the future they would also work on the turf. He wandered how the colt had changed over the months he was gone - it was almost a year since he had left them and with a young horse that was more than enough time to change an awful lot.
As he reached the track he fastened the helmet on top of his head and watched the colt. He seemed frustrated, but that was no surprise, and otherwise was acting very much like the colt he remembered. Smiling slightly to himself the jockey approached the colt and stroked his toned neck. "Hey Isa," he said, "You're going to be working with me again. I hope your ready." he moved to the colt's side and climbed into the saddle, adjusting the stirrups to suit him instead of Alice. His green eyes gleamed brightly as he looked up the dirt.
"We're not going to bother with gating today, Lucas." he told the handler who nodded, releasing his grip on the rein. The colt reared slightly but Jacob had half expected that and laughed. "Don't start playing that game, we only have a few weeks to get used to each other again." he told the colt and pushed him forwards into a slow gallop up the dirt. Luckily enough, the dirt was firm today and so the ground did not slip beneath them, kicking dust out behind them instead. Jacob tried to guide the colt toward the rail, but was met with resistance.
Of course, Isa didn't like to think he was being told what to do and he had not been ridden by Jake for a while... he was testing him. Jake nodded to himself, allowed to colt to gallop on for a little with no interference and then shifted his weight in the saddle. The colt responded to the weight by moving toward the rail, without Jake needing to use the rein. Perfect. That was how he used to do it. He centered his weight again and crouched low to the colt's neck, driving him slightly. Here, he met no resistance - the colt seemed eager to move more quickly and responded well.
Finally, Jake cracked the crop against the colt's rump and started to drive in earnest. The colt gave a small buck, but then started to gallop at increasing speed down the stretch - his acceleration was better even than Jake remembered and as they soared past the post Jacob knew two things. One, he would soon be in tune with the colt once more and, two, they were going to be a true force on the track.
The chestnut colt was stubborn and temperamental at the best of times, and this was certainly not the best time the cot had known. He had been moved, again, and there was a lot of change for him to adjust to. Due to the changes, he had become as difficult as ever and had been proving himself to be a challenge for the Silver Stride Stables handlers. Which was why, as usual, Lucas had been called to deal with the colt. He had been promoted to head handler, and was more than adept at dealing with more difficult equines.
Isa was having none of it. As the handler led him down toward the track he would stop suddenly, or bolt forwards, in an attempt to get the better of the blonde man. His audits pinned against his skull as he struggled, but to no avail. Time after time Lucas expertly brought the colt to heel and after the fifth failed attempt the colt seemed to fall beside him with no further arguments. Lucas patted the small thoroughbred's neck and continued walking forwards.
Jacob was excited, but also nervous, about riding Isa again. The colt had come a long way since he had left the stable and had proven himself to be a huge threat on the three-year-old circuit. He ran not only on dirt, as he had when he had left, but was also successful on turf. For today, they would be working on the dirt - the surface Jacob was accustomed to riding the colt on - but in the future they would also work on the turf. He wandered how the colt had changed over the months he was gone - it was almost a year since he had left them and with a young horse that was more than enough time to change an awful lot.
As he reached the track he fastened the helmet on top of his head and watched the colt. He seemed frustrated, but that was no surprise, and otherwise was acting very much like the colt he remembered. Smiling slightly to himself the jockey approached the colt and stroked his toned neck. "Hey Isa," he said, "You're going to be working with me again. I hope your ready." he moved to the colt's side and climbed into the saddle, adjusting the stirrups to suit him instead of Alice. His green eyes gleamed brightly as he looked up the dirt.
"We're not going to bother with gating today, Lucas." he told the handler who nodded, releasing his grip on the rein. The colt reared slightly but Jacob had half expected that and laughed. "Don't start playing that game, we only have a few weeks to get used to each other again." he told the colt and pushed him forwards into a slow gallop up the dirt. Luckily enough, the dirt was firm today and so the ground did not slip beneath them, kicking dust out behind them instead. Jacob tried to guide the colt toward the rail, but was met with resistance.
Of course, Isa didn't like to think he was being told what to do and he had not been ridden by Jake for a while... he was testing him. Jake nodded to himself, allowed to colt to gallop on for a little with no interference and then shifted his weight in the saddle. The colt responded to the weight by moving toward the rail, without Jake needing to use the rein. Perfect. That was how he used to do it. He centered his weight again and crouched low to the colt's neck, driving him slightly. Here, he met no resistance - the colt seemed eager to move more quickly and responded well.
Finally, Jake cracked the crop against the colt's rump and started to drive in earnest. The colt gave a small buck, but then started to gallop at increasing speed down the stretch - his acceleration was better even than Jake remembered and as they soared past the post Jacob knew two things. One, he would soon be in tune with the colt once more and, two, they were going to be a true force on the track.