Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2012 16:11:20 GMT -5
For a four year old, the colt had a very low level of experience. Some people thought it was because the stable tended to push him to the back because of his attitude, but that was not at all the case. Instead, it was because the team were still in the process of completing his training and expected him to be on the track for a while yet. The reason completing his training had taken so long? He was a total nightmare to work with, he didn't like to let most individuals near him never mind listen to them and he was stubborn about learning new things. But they were finally starting to get there and it was time to test what they had been teaching him for months on the track once more.
Alexia had discussed with Matthias and Lucas, and they had all come to a decision. For this workout, they were not going to put anyone in immediate danger. They were not going to try and get the colt to allow anybody he had not bonded with to handle him, they were not going to attempt to gate him. Alexia would lead him to the track and mount once they arrived, and then she would gallop him up a five furlong stretch of the turf to see just how well her mount was running. After that, she would take him up to the barn and do the things that grooms did with other horses before getting on with the rest of her day.
She had looked at the entry sheet for Perry's next race earlier that morning, and so far their were only three entrants for the Prince Cup including themselves. The other entrants were Silver Birch, of Dreamvalley Stables, and the two year old colt Mastermind from Witch Creek Stables. It would not be an easy race. Silver Birch had more experience than Perry, which made him a threat, and Mastermind had already proved himself against older horses. Perry would by no means have things easy, but then if things were easy Alexia was sure the colt would start to lose interest.
She arrived at the colt's stall with his tack and placed the saddle over the door, standing at the hatch for a moment so that Perry could see it was her. He moved to the front of the stable, caught her gaze and she smiled. Opening the door, she pushed the colt back from the door so he could not barge out and closed it behind her. "Hey, Perry. What you doing, eh? Ready to go for a run? Yeah, I know you are." she spoke to him brightly, and the colt blew air through his nasals in response, snorting. Alexia shook her head and went about putting his tack on. He behaved for her, but she knew the issues that the grooms and handlers usually had with this job. "It's not so bad, is it?" she asked him and started checking his legs for heat.
He was fine, of course he was. This was an animal who was well rested and in great shape. If it wasn't for his temper issues, some would have said he was a perfect specimen. He would be a good stud in time, but he had to prove himself on the track first. He hadn't been doing badly when Matthias had pulled him off of the track again though. In fact, he had quite a nice record. But now, perhaps, he would run even better than he had before.
She opened the stable, and led the colt through the yard. Whenever they passed another colt, he seemed to start playing up, but with a harsh word and a tug from Alexia he would fall into line once more. The bay colt was a troublesome one, but he had respect for this once person at least. Others had no chance, but he had a bond with his jockey. A strong bond at that. He'd never shown signs of bonding with anyone else at the stable, but somehow this jockey had found a place in his heart.
Soon, they reached the gateway to the track. The bay colt's ears pricked and his dark eyes burned. Their was enthusiasm in those eyes, and a determination that only came over him out on the turf. Alexia patted his neck as she opened the gate to the track and then led him onto the turf. The colt tried to bolt off, but Alexia held the rein tight and soon the colt came to her side once more. He stood while she closed the gate, and then mounted but after that he knew what was coming.
The colt went from standing to gallop in seconds, and Alexia had to press herself against his neck to avoid being thrown by the force of the sudden forward motion. His head was held high, his audits pressed forward as he moved onwards. Alexia had instruction to run five furlongs, and she saw no reason to delay counting that distance down. She reined the fast moving colt in a little and started to watch the furlongs.
He had a short, but steady stride which enabled him to move quickly and have great acceleration potential. He had a heart that few horses could match, and a racing spirit which had clearly been bred in. Over all, this colt had the passion for the track and it showed. Alexia felt good riding him, because she knew he was loving it as much as her and that together they had some real potential.
Three furlongs had passed, and only two remained. Alexia started to drive the colt on, cracking the crop across his butt as they moved onwards. The colt did not speed up, but he was clearly fighting. Alexia fought with him, lost herself in the moment as they worked together. A true team, with a true relationship. They would never give up, never give in. They passed the post at a good speed and Alexia started to slow the colt down. A nice work, but was it enough?
Alexia had discussed with Matthias and Lucas, and they had all come to a decision. For this workout, they were not going to put anyone in immediate danger. They were not going to try and get the colt to allow anybody he had not bonded with to handle him, they were not going to attempt to gate him. Alexia would lead him to the track and mount once they arrived, and then she would gallop him up a five furlong stretch of the turf to see just how well her mount was running. After that, she would take him up to the barn and do the things that grooms did with other horses before getting on with the rest of her day.
She had looked at the entry sheet for Perry's next race earlier that morning, and so far their were only three entrants for the Prince Cup including themselves. The other entrants were Silver Birch, of Dreamvalley Stables, and the two year old colt Mastermind from Witch Creek Stables. It would not be an easy race. Silver Birch had more experience than Perry, which made him a threat, and Mastermind had already proved himself against older horses. Perry would by no means have things easy, but then if things were easy Alexia was sure the colt would start to lose interest.
She arrived at the colt's stall with his tack and placed the saddle over the door, standing at the hatch for a moment so that Perry could see it was her. He moved to the front of the stable, caught her gaze and she smiled. Opening the door, she pushed the colt back from the door so he could not barge out and closed it behind her. "Hey, Perry. What you doing, eh? Ready to go for a run? Yeah, I know you are." she spoke to him brightly, and the colt blew air through his nasals in response, snorting. Alexia shook her head and went about putting his tack on. He behaved for her, but she knew the issues that the grooms and handlers usually had with this job. "It's not so bad, is it?" she asked him and started checking his legs for heat.
He was fine, of course he was. This was an animal who was well rested and in great shape. If it wasn't for his temper issues, some would have said he was a perfect specimen. He would be a good stud in time, but he had to prove himself on the track first. He hadn't been doing badly when Matthias had pulled him off of the track again though. In fact, he had quite a nice record. But now, perhaps, he would run even better than he had before.
She opened the stable, and led the colt through the yard. Whenever they passed another colt, he seemed to start playing up, but with a harsh word and a tug from Alexia he would fall into line once more. The bay colt was a troublesome one, but he had respect for this once person at least. Others had no chance, but he had a bond with his jockey. A strong bond at that. He'd never shown signs of bonding with anyone else at the stable, but somehow this jockey had found a place in his heart.
Soon, they reached the gateway to the track. The bay colt's ears pricked and his dark eyes burned. Their was enthusiasm in those eyes, and a determination that only came over him out on the turf. Alexia patted his neck as she opened the gate to the track and then led him onto the turf. The colt tried to bolt off, but Alexia held the rein tight and soon the colt came to her side once more. He stood while she closed the gate, and then mounted but after that he knew what was coming.
The colt went from standing to gallop in seconds, and Alexia had to press herself against his neck to avoid being thrown by the force of the sudden forward motion. His head was held high, his audits pressed forward as he moved onwards. Alexia had instruction to run five furlongs, and she saw no reason to delay counting that distance down. She reined the fast moving colt in a little and started to watch the furlongs.
He had a short, but steady stride which enabled him to move quickly and have great acceleration potential. He had a heart that few horses could match, and a racing spirit which had clearly been bred in. Over all, this colt had the passion for the track and it showed. Alexia felt good riding him, because she knew he was loving it as much as her and that together they had some real potential.
Three furlongs had passed, and only two remained. Alexia started to drive the colt on, cracking the crop across his butt as they moved onwards. The colt did not speed up, but he was clearly fighting. Alexia fought with him, lost herself in the moment as they worked together. A true team, with a true relationship. They would never give up, never give in. They passed the post at a good speed and Alexia started to slow the colt down. A nice work, but was it enough?