who said flying was impossible [closed=Frosty]

[*Ripley*]

<sub>Well I know Maggie threw such a fit about Ri leaving Witch Creek... He's as comfy as a couch! Brooks sent a humorous look in the direction of Laura. He noted at the same time that Whipped Cream did not see any humor in his statement. The bullish dark bay mare spun on her heels, fighting Laura with every ounce of fury she possessed in her body. She was a newly crowned grade three mare and apparently success had gone straight to her ego. Laura slammed forward when the Whippet mare rose again off of her front feet. The mare squealed angrily, danced on her feet for a few more moments before coming back to earth.

You know what Brooks. I'm glad you get the easy horse today! I don't think you could handle Rea! Her voice was snapping with irritation, mimicking the attitude of her difficult mare. No one else could handle Rea. It was as proven a fact as possible. Brooks shrugged, knowing this was so having experienced her vicious buck first-hand. I won't even bother to take you up on that dare Laura. You can have that dragon all to yourself. Laura sent a glare his way before urging the mare onward through the gap onto the dirt track.

Eyes were drawn to former Star Thoroughbred's racehorse, but mainly because of her impressive last win in the Seashell Cup Grade Four. Her rampage at The Wire had come to an end and now she was going to start stepping up in class. Laura patted the mare's thick sweating neck, knowing she was easily the most hot-headed of this next group.

The Rising followed along behind the temperamental mare, stepping without a care in the world. He neighed loudly to Rea as Laura guided her up and down the rail at a stiff trot. However, he stood proper, square and tall. His ears were pricked and he was more than ready to roll. All that was left was for Krystal and Valencia to make their appearance on Wish and Van. Brooks prayed they would hurry up for the sake of Laura's life.</sub>

[S u N f r O s t ~]

The goliath of horse beneath her would have intimidated many other riders. Not so much Krystal Yhate. This was a horse whose build struck familiar chords within her. He was packed with muscle and a powerful, swaggering step that characterized those of his bloodline. Krystal looked at this colt and saw his older sister Fire Dancer, and through them their sire Native Flame. And she certainly had a liking for Flame progeny. She and Fire had been ripping it up and she knew that this unassuming horse on paper was a lot more in real life. Van Guard. He had won his last three races but hadn't been seen out on the track in a while. Availability issues no doubt, or something along those lines. Whatever the case, Krystal felt like he was more than ready to fly.

She settled into the saddle of this unfamiliar three year old and cued him forward. The colt responded immediately, and Krystal knew she was dealing with a horse of good temper. She felt him out as they walked to the dirt track, and grinned. Absolutely roiling in power and muscle. He was a lot like his older sister, down to the intimidating bulk, but he wasn't about intimidation. He was kinder and not as likely to snap necks if things didn't go his way. Overall...a horse she could definitely handle. She walked him over to where The Rising was standing and Whipped Cream trotted impatiently, a grin flitting across her face. Valencia shouldn't be long now. She's no slacker. She cued Van to trot as well, turning a couple of circles while waiting for Valencia to show up, getting used to Van and grinning the whole while. The colt felt like he could run for miles and she had plenty of power beneath her.

Valencia was not late in coming. She had been quick and precise in tacking up Wish Upon A Star. This young filly had caught her eye over the past year, for her third in the Juvenile Fillies before switching to the turf and her runs in the Turf Triple Tiara. She thought the filly was a bit better on the turf herself, but then again she didn't know Wish yet. She swung into the saddle and the bay filly arched her neck and pranced in place, practically begging for attention from passersby. Valencia grinned. Let's give them something to look at then, girl.

[/color] And out they went, striding confidently to the track. Valencia was smirking. This filly's confidence and desire for attention fit her well.

They were the last ones to arrive, but that was just perfect for them. Valencia and Wish strutted out confidently, and Valencia's smirk was wide as she said her greetings. Wish was full of energy and power, and now as she looked at her workout partners a competitive fire started burning in her heart. Valencia latched onto it and closed her eyes, breathing it all in. Oh yes. She and Wish were going to get along just fine. [/blockquote]

[*Ripley*]

<sub>Laura eyed Krystal on Van with cautious eyes. Her big gelding really was such an allstar. He was a pro at everything he did and really was starting to get a hang of the racing game. She kept her mouth shut, urged Rea into a canter for a circle. Krystal was a good rider and she'd ridden Native Flame progeny before, but Van wasn't like Fire Dancer. He was a gentle giant who liked to be asked not prodded like an elephant. She took a breath, reminded herself to trust the SOPS employee to her job.

Rea danced eagerly over the dirt, eyes bright, nostrils flared with excitement and enthusiasm. The more horses that came onto the track, the more excited Rea became. Her muscles looked buff beneath her dark hide and she was really gathering some attention. This was not the behavior of a mare who had just raced two weeks in a row with top efforts in each race. Rea was as sturdy as they came and rock solid too.

Brooks nodded to Valencia when she joined them aboard Wish. Maggie said good luck and that she'll treat you right. She's really a dream to ride. The Rising reached over to touch noses with Wish, nickering softly. He was a friendly sort of stallion and Brooks wasn't sure what the plan was for him after his racing career. Brooks patted the stallion, noted that he was beginning to pick up on Rea's excitement. What would you like to try today? Ri and Wish can handle both surfaces, Rea's more geared toward turf but can handle dirt, Van is the opposite. I believe Rea is more likely to handle the dirt than Van is to handle the turf. Laura nodded in assent when Brooks looked at her. I was the regular rider for both of them at Witch Creek. Van slips all over the turf like his papa did. But Rea won't mind the kickback.

She shrugged her shoulders, glanced at Valencia and Krystal. Distance preferences anyone?</sub>

[S u N f r O s t ~]

With each circle that Van turned, Krystal understood the colt just a little bit more. He wasn't like Fire Dancer. He had an inherently gentle nature and he wasn't about pushing his rider around. He was more of a listening type. Krystal lightened her contact on the reins a bit and guided more using other cues - light ones from her legs, light ones from her hands. Van seemed to respond better to this, as though stretching out. He became more willing, more pliable in her hands. Krystal grinned and stopped circling the gelding. Instead, she trotted him over to the Witch Creek crew and lightly halted him. She was starting to figure this colt out.

Valencia nodded to Brooks' words, agreeing and happy that Maggie had some words for her. She didn't know Maggie all too well, but it appeared as though Wish was hers back at Witch Creek and Valencia knew she'd want a complete stranger to treat her horse right as well. Wish was a good mover, flexible, but not the type that seemed to get pushed around. She was competitive and firm, strong of will and ready to go. She understood all this just by watching Wish interact with Rea and then Ri. Wish eyed Rea with undisguised fire spitting in her eyes. Very competitive. But she was gentle with Ri, as though she knew him. There were two sides to this filly and Valencia found herself curious to know more.

Dirt it is then said Krystal. She didn't mind either way, but the thought of this big boy slipping all over the place didn't sound overly appealing. She grinned. You guys know these horses best. I can't say what to do unless I know them. She shrugged, smiling a bit. Valencia nodded in agreement with Krystal. It only made sense...though she could judge based on what she felt that Wish could take what was thrown at her well in stride.

[*Ripley*]

One thing I know for sure is that all of them can handle a little distance. Brooks pondered momentarily, allowing The Rising to trot up the track for a warm up. The bay horse stretched right out like a greyhound, relaxed, smooth and confident. He had been Maggie's horse as well and today would be a good day for him to figure out if he truly got along with The Natural son. So we'll take a mile and a half view of the oval then give them a six furlong workout. Ease them up to speed because they all have a gradual turn of foot, except Rea.... But since she's on the dirt she'll need to get a handle of things as well. No speed tricks, Laura.

Laura glared at him out of her blue eyes, but finally mumbled agreement. Rea was practically off the charts though in terms of energy level. If she wanted to run, Laura wasn't going to stop her. The dark bay mare broke into a canter the instant Laura gave the signal, her lumbering strides sweeping over the ground with an unnatural sort of grace. Whipped Cream was the least likely horse to be graceful and yet she pulled it off with ease.

Ri took off after his stablemate, lining out like the greyhound he was bred to be. He was light on the bit, confident, but not hard at all on his rider. Brooks shook his head wondering how Maggie could have kept The Rising a secret for so long. He knew how she did it though. She never talked about a horse she was fond of and boy she must have been fond of Ri. Brooks snorted as his towering stallion drew up along the inside of Rea. He floated over the ground, tapered head curving toward the infield to get a look. He truly was an elegant stallion and Brooks again found himself wondering what would become of him after his career.

The pair of horses galloped comfortably side by side with the ease of long time workout partners. Brooks glanced under his arm, nodded in approval. Rea seemed to be handling the dirt well. Laura was thinking the same thing, eyes blazing with excitement. She'd grown to love the explosive four year old mare and more than once she'd proven to handle any type of challenge thrown her way. She was battle tested and a warrior used to the casualties of war. Laura smacked the mare's bullish neck, nearly cackling. Oh this workout versus the SOPS people would prove to be exciting to say the least. Whipped Cream dipped her head snorting furiously. She obviously agreed.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

Valencia and Krystal both smirked at each other. It was a well known fact that Witch Creek horses took distance to a whole new level with their workouts. They wouldn't have expected underconditioned horses from this crew. They both nodded assent to the workout plans, impatient to be off and experience these two new horses for themselves. They had only ever watched these two race; they had never sat in the irons themselves and the thought of now doing so for entire workout was very exciting. Valencia smiled at Laura at Brooks' rebuff, a smile that said she understood. Valencia found that she liked Laura's attitude and that she was warming up to her just a bit.

Krystal and Valencia let their mounts sweep after the other Witch Creek duo. Krystal just let Van run. He seemed like the type to know what he was doing out on the track, the type that didn't need direction. The colt eased out, his muscular body more graceful than you would have expected in flight. Each stride was powerful, and with every one Krystal knew there was plenty of horse underneath her, just waiting to go. He handled the dirt beautifully, and he was all focus as he followed his stablemates. Krystal eyed the other two. Rea was obviously a bit more of a leader type, and Ri was staying right alongside the boisterous filly. With Van's long stride, Krystal didn't doubt that he could take to the outside and not lose ground. So that was precisely what she did, letting Van rumble to the outside along the first turn.

Valencia squared up with Wish as they began to gallop. The filly's gallop was as graceful as she expected, and there was a hint of calculation there as well. From her races, Valencia knew that Wish was one of those mid-pack type horses. The type that hides and then explodes into the spotlight to win by ever increasing daylight. This she knew, and she felt Wish's desire to stay back at first, observe, get the horses in front later. Going four wide on the first turn was no doubt a stupid plan, so Valencia instead let Wish cut to the inside rail, favoring saving ground for now. They'd stay back here for now, facing the hooves of these three horses, but make them eat Wish's dirt later. Wish sizzled with energy beneath her, absolutely tireless and bounding along. Valencia grinned. Oh yes. Those three were not going to be getting away from them for long.

[*Ripley*]

Rea snorted when Van Guard rounded up to her outside. Her eyes flashed and her ears slammed into her mane as she snaked her head at the colt. The mare was not above intimidating her rivals. She loved to pummel them and then pummel them further into the ground with her fierce speed. Laura shook the reins at Whipped Cream, slamming her out of her attack on Van Guard. Her white marked forehead pointed forward again as she rumbled along like a freight train. Her muscles contracted and released in a stunning demonstration of power and ferocity. She was such an opposite of the rest of the horses in the workout.

The Rising's light colored bay body remained glued to the rail as they whipped through the backstretch and into the far turn. His eyes were glowing with excitement and Brooks could feel the anticipation waving off of the stallion the closer they drew into the homestretch. His nostrils moved in and out with easy breaths, not showing signs of any distress. Ri was made for the long distanced exercise. He floated over the track, each hoofprint landing with delicate precision.

The pair of horses rumbled around the turn, not allowing one another to pass by. Brooks kept The Rising moving with Whipped Cream's furious challenge. His mount was not the most determined to get the victory and he hadn't raced in quite sometime. This time he would be pressed to keep up, to maintain his physical prowess, to show he could run with the best of them and beat them. Whipped Cream marched along to the beat of her own drum, really dictating the pace as she lead by a half length over Ri and Van Guard. Laura did not budge an inch on the bull-like mare, impressed with the way she moved over the dirt course.

The horses cruised through a mile and a quarter at a rock solid two minute clip. Only another quarter of a mile to go before the six furlong workout. The furlong poles flashed by with ever increasing speed. Brooks knew that this would be a very fast workout and could be the one that benefited the quartet of large horses.