Dual of the Fillies

[roxyrose]

Horses: Rhinestone Riley and March to Glory
Exercise Riders: Lauren Connor and Victoria Lansing

Riley was extra perky once morning as Lauren approached her stall. She lead the big gray filly out and put her on crossties. The clatter of hooves caught her attention. Tori was leading Glory in from the paddock the filly was kept in that night. "You should've seen Riley when I came in. She really wanted to get out of that stall" Tori said to her. "I bet. She's like that. Always craves the attention" Lauren added. Riley nudged her shoulder and sniffed at her jean pocket, searching for a treat. Lauren pushed her nose away. "Oh now, little princess. No treats till after you work." Riley whinnied in protest, making both girls laugh.

They got the fillies groomed and tacked up. Then it was time to lead them out to Beechwood Oval. The track was quiet. Tori rode out first on Glory. The filly kept throwing her head up and whinnying loudly. Lauren held Riley back. She leaned down to stroke the dappled neck as they started off at a walk. Tori was ahead of them trotting with Glory. Lauren clucked Riley into a trot. Soon they caught up with Tori and Glory. They trotted around the oval, once, giving the fillies a good warm-up. "So, we're going 7 furlongs?" Tori asked. Lauren nodded in response. It was soon time to let the fillies go.

Glory broke into an extended canter first with Riley not too far behind. Tori and Lauren kept them collected as they got ready to let the fillies explode. The time approached. The first to spring into a full gallop was Riley. Glory got furiated. She caught the pretty gray's shoulder just in time as they rounded the last turn into the stretch. They were neck and neck. "Don't give up, Ri! Go!" Lauren called to Riley. It was a head to head battle down the stretch. They were nearing the finish. It was too close to call. Right at the wire, Riley bounded ahead by a nostril.

The girls slowed the fillies down. They laughed. "That was quite a run" Tori said. "I know, right? We will have to do it again sometime" said Lauren. "Definitely." They cooled the fillies out. Then, took them back to the barn for cool baths. They called it a day.