Adventurous Ride. [Rip+Hourglass]

[Cavallo]

Samhain & Michael Landing - Conditioning Session

Knock it off Sammy. Michael Landing, brother to Nick Landing and developing rider for Intrepid, quickly disciplined the colt for trying to attempt a nip in his shoulder. Jeff shook his head at the colt and the Warlock son shied away his head in obvious disagreement with his handler. Jeff wasn't surprised by the colt's bold actions, it was simply apart of the colt's personality, but it also meant that Michael never had a quiet moment.

Michael took in every inch of the Warlock x Lyrick son. His pedigree was impeccable, with years of invested breeding work, Samhain was the end result. As a two year old, he was tall, with a more slender build, but his neck, chest and hind quarters rippled with the developing muscle. He felt a surge of pride to be able to claim the colt as his charge. His long legs, danced in place as he nickered for Michael to hurry up and mount up. He was an intelligent horse and he knew that the quicker the human was in the saddle, the quicker he could run. Michael laughed at the colt's antics, one minute he was going to nip him and the next begging minute he was begging him to ride - He was definitely his mother's son, but it meant that there was never a dull moment.

Michael gathered the reins in his hand and some of the colt's mane as he hoisted himself up into the saddle. The colt continued to dance underneath him in excitement. Michael pressed the colt forward onto the public track here at GHF. Intrepid didn't normally do their works here, but Michael had sensed that Sammy had needed a change of scenery. After the colt's consistent 3rd place placement, he had sensed that the colt had needed more familiarity with the track and something to pick up his interest. If all else failed, he knew he could run Sammy by the breezing horses on the track to give the colt a kick.

Samhain was always looking for competition, it was what made him such a great race horse, but now Michael knew the colt needed a little bit of refinement. He knew that that would come with more experience, but there was no shame in helping the colt hone some skills today on the track. The colt moved fluidly over the turf at a comfortable canter, ears perked and eyes alert to every horse that he passed on the track. Not seeing a horse that particularly challenged him, Sammy huffed and flicked his tail disinterestedly as Michael kept the colt moving. Don't fall asleep on me now Sammy. We just got started! The black colt shook his head and played up a bit, but Michael rode it out and pressed the colt through, back to his canter. You know what your problem is Sammy...you think too much of yourself.

[*Ripley*]

<sub>The Devil's Hourglass was not an easy horse. Period. She had moments of cuteness and sweetness, but they never came when she was tacked up. The dark bay filly daughter of Sand Storm and The Devil's Touch was a vision of fury and power. She was not tall in height, but big in muscle. All her growth went to her muscle and weight. She was authentically gross and overweight when simply standing around. It was in movement that this horse turned into a monster. It was that characteristic that made her so profoundly like her dam.

Ripley glanced around as she undid the lead tied to Hourglass' leather bridle. It was rare that this particular horse made an appearance at Green Horse Fields. She'd finished second behind an Intrepid horse last time out. Hourglass had needed a go over the track, pure and simple. She was highly known at The Wire and country wide known as the best turf distance filly in the country.

Hourglass had mirrored her mother's career over a completely different surface. The dark filly tossed her head, prancing in place as Ripley jumped into the racing saddle. The hot-tempered filly immediately bolted, nearly cantering down the path as Ripley fought for her stirrups. Hourglass was frightening quick. Ripley finally fixed herself, pulled the filly up to a trot. Hourglass snorted, bowed her neck and proceed to look more colt than filly.

Alright Hourglass. Let's behave now. Her body was vibrating with fury and annoyance. She hated being under tack, but loved to run. Ripley was her most tolerated human. They worked as a team. The star-marked filly stepped proudly out onto the dirt, preparing to cross between tracks for her preferred turf surface. Ripley glanced down the length of the stretch, noted the towering black colt. She was slightly surprised and immediately named the horse. Samhain. She'd bid high for that particular horse and then Intrepid had denied the bid and taken him back. Ripley wasn't particular annoyed anymore by that certain chain of events. After all, Samhain was relatively untried compared to most of Witch Creek's horses.

Hourglass' ears zeroed in on the colt when Ripley trotted her closer. She could do with some new competition. And Ripley wanted to test the colt that she had nearly owned. The woman flashed a smile at the rider, not too familiar with him. She knew his name, but mainly dealt with Nick Landing in all of the deals. Hourglass' eyes flashed at the close proximity to Samhain. Her heavy-set body danced on lean legs. She wanted to run, not chat. Her fury was quite obvious. Ripley patted her neck. Samhain right? He looks more racehorse like than the last time I saw him at his sale. I'm Ripley Marsh, in case you aren't aware, and you are?</sub>

[Cavallo]

<sub>Michael had the colt going at a nice canter, when he heard the thudding approach of a horse's hooves. He prepared himself for the black colt to bolt and added pressure with his legs to remind the black wraith that he was here. He knew his colt all too well, he was competitive to the core and he wasn't going to take this horse passing him during his workout lightly. The black colt's ears laced back flat against his cranium as he saw a dark bay filly infringe on his space. His eyes flared to life, neck bowed powerfully, head pulled in so he could see his competition better.

The filly had the look of the Devil about her and Michael recognized immediately the horse and the rider. Ripley Marsh sat astride her hellion filly, The Devil's Hourglass and now she was talking to him? He nodded at the woman, his mind not fully engaged at the present, as he tried to prevent the black colt from outright bolting out from underneath him. He shared a hateful glare at the filly. He did not like this filly, not one bit and he fed off of her fury. She wasn't the only horse on the tracks today with a lean, mean attitude. His eyes challenged her as his crown raised. Michael checked the horse and prevented the colt from outright war. The temporary danger diverted, Michael was able to truly smile back politely at the woman and catch what she was saying.
Samhain right? He looks more racehorse like than the last time I saw him at his sale. I'm Ripley Marsh, in case you aren't aware, and you are?

Michael nodded, he remembered the day of that sale all too well. The colt had been a mere seconds from being sold, but Michael had talked Nick out of it. Samhain, though a devil to handle was still near and dear to him. He had that bond with the excitable colt, the bond that all riders strive to cultivate with their mounts. For him and Sammy, it came naturally. Samhain wasn't a vicious horse, unless challenged. He was normally just a high energy horse, but if he got around the right horses, his Augusto, Xenophon and Admiral lined heritage shined through brilliantly. He was as hot as they could come, bred to be aggressive on the tracks and the fact that this was just a workout meant nothing to the black colt.

Yes, this indeed is Samhain. I'm Michael Landing, Nick's brother. He was used to adding that last part. Nick was and would always be the public spokesperson for Intrepid and Michael was more than okay with that. He wasn't the type to relish the limelight, but he still handled it well when it came his way. He knew about Ripley Marsh. The woman had turned Witch Creek into a big name again on the tracks and was making a great comeback, especially on the filly she was riding now. It's a pleasure of officially meet you and your filly in person. He'd seen the filly race and he had seen her speed, she was a great racer in the making and..he thought for a moment a good workout partner for Sammy. The colt had been bored, but as soon as Hourglass had arrived, something had sparked within the colt and he needed to fan this spark into a full blown fire.

Just taking Sammy here out for a jaunt, trying to get him awake for his races....though your filly seems to be doing that all on her own. He chuckled as he kept pressing the colt forward, preventing him from veering off into the filly aggressively.</sub>

[*Ripley*]

Hourglass danced beneath Ripley as the black demon of a colt pulled closer. His muscular body was tense as a spring in reaction to Hourglass's overall aggressiveness. Hourglass only got along with Prima Donna and Paranormal Hunter. Other fillies, colts or geldings were simply intolerable. Ripley patted the bay's dark neck, noted she clenched the bit between her teeth multiple times. Hourglass was receiving something from Samhain that she rarely got at home these days. She was receiving a challenge. Ripley nearly grinned. Hourglass was a handful and as such she needed extra time and attention in the saddle.

Her feet tap-danced in and out of the dirt as she sidled away from Samhain, tossing her head in "come hither" gesture. Ripley flashed a smile as Micheal introduced himself. Her eyes narrowed briefly, wondering who exactly she'd seen him ride lately. Who's your main horse these days? Witch Creek missed Intrepid's competition out on the track. Surely we weren't so eager to see you out on the tracks. More competition means less opportunity for the big wins. Especially when that means Nightshade is back in the limelight. Hourglass flicked her ears as a pair of horses galloped on the track. Her eyes rimmed with white as she danced, a behemoth made of suspicious grace. It was clear to Ripley that Hourglass was more focused than ever on enhancing her career.

Well if he needs someone to wake him up out of his bored stupor, Hourglass is the one to do it. She's a trouble maker and tough as nails. She'll give Sammy there everything he needs to get back to his competitive drive. Ripley glanced at Micheal, blushing a little. It was quite obvious that she had been tracking the two year old horse for sometime. She brushed it off, eyes dimming to a calculate cat-green. She'd been keeping an eye on the competition. That's all.

[Cavallo]

He smiled at her words, Who's your main horse these days? Witch Creek missed Intrepid's competition out on the track. Surely we weren't so eager to see you out on the tracks. More competition means less opportunity for the big wins. Especially when that means Nightshade is back in the limelight.

His pride and joy Nightshade was still causing talk and it made him proud. He smiled at the compliment he received from the non-aggressive threat. He knew what the industry of racing was like. You won some and lost some, you just hoped that when you lost, you lost to good competition. It felt good to be labeled as good competition once again. My main rides these days are Firebird and Nightshade and now Sammy. Trying to break this guy in on some of the limelight, we can't let the competition have all the shining time. He smiled in his banter with the owner and trainer of some of the top thoroughbreds, but he didn't feel insecure in the least. He worked for one of the best stables and knew Nick was indeed one of the best. He hoped to one day be just as respected in the industry. He checked the black colt again as he attempted to bump into the filly. His sole focus was on maintaining that this filly didn't get the best of him. He returned to Ripley again, I guess though, people would probably notice me more on Nightshade though. He gave her a winning smile. He was proud of his filly and felt that there wasn't another horse like her on the tracks. She was being pointed to the dirt tracks on The Wire for the win that would push her into the grade one realm. He could almost taste it and that same desire for success was the same for the black colt that he rode now.

And then he heard Ripley say something as if from a dream. Had she just offered to let Sammy run against her prized filly? This was exactly what the colt needed, good solid competition. Hourglass was highly rated on the tracks and this would be a great chance to measure the colt's progress and ...to add a little fun to the mix. If he didn't know better, he might be thinking that Ripley was keeping tabs on his black colt...He was excited. If Ripley Marsh saw greatness in his horse, then it only confirmed what he already knew - Samhain was the track's best kept secret. Well if he needs someone to wake him up out of his bored stupor, Hourglass is the one to do it. She's a trouble maker and tough as nails. She'll give Sammy there everything he needs to get back to his competitive drive. It was true, she had offered to race against them and he wasn't about to turn down this opportunity for the black hellion. He needed this. He needed the competition, the burns from dancing through fire.

The black colt's body was alive with fire and zest, eyes locked onto the demon filly. He pulled forward powerfully and Michael's biceps flexed in strain. His green hazel eyes flashed with a challenge and met another pair of green eyes. Ripley Marsh. I would love nothing more than for you to give this colt a rude awakening.

[*Ripley*]

Ripley flashed Michael a damned if you do, damned if you don't smile. He sure had an overall charm to him. It was dangerous if you were the opposite sex. So different from his brother Nick who was a platonic, not dangerous person. She considered the younger brother with wary eyes, rolled her shoulders and sidled Hourglass away from the mischievous Samhain. The filly tossed her head, white star shimmering as her black mane flew away from her face. Her muscles were coiled up and she looked more than ready to give the Warlock colt a fight.

Shining time is my number one priority Michael. I've drawn plenty of it too between Hourglass, Bella, Cross and Para. I'm beginning to think my talents may rest with the turf horses. It's fun to go in and conquer unknown lands. And maybe shock a Stride of Perfection rider or two. Ripley's eyes glinted with a hint of trouble. Nick may have a relationship with SOPS, but both brothers couldn't be infatuated with the cagey Amber Black. Firebird was a tough horse last year. He sure shocked us all with the Breeders Cup Turf Marathon win. Freeze had finished third behind Firebird and Infinite Warcry, but while his cohorts were trying to return to their old form, Freeze was roaring away on the turf. Got any ideas on which BC race you're sending Nightshade to?

Hourglass danced, legs striking like lightning beneath her heavy body. The filly had had enough talk for the time being. Especially when her favored turf surface stretched out before her like a green sea. Ripley hushed the filly guiding her along the rail. Michael met her eyes upon her challenge of waking Samhain up. She felt a trickle of heat flow through her body. All she could think was "Uh-Oh." Well if it's a rude awakening you want, a rude awakening you'll get. Six furlongs starting at the top of the backstretch, ending at The Wire. 

Ripley's dark bay filly leaped forward upon this announcement as if completely grasping the instructions. She bounded up the homestretch toward the first turn, legs finally stretching out over the course. Ripley zig-zagged her through the gap and onto the turf track. The filly snorted, head bowed neatly to her broad chest. Her ears remained pricked like twin towers over her cranium. The rider released the reins, letting her thunderous filly gallop up to the first turn on the turf track. She glanced around for Michael, sent a flashing smile in his direction. Samhain would not be the only one getting a rude awakening today. Ripley slapped her strong filly's neck. Let's see what they're made of Hourglass.

[Cavallo]

<sub>Why have I never talked to Ripley before? he wondered to himself quietly, while he listened to her talk. She talked with and edge, a superiority that she possessed and embodied. He felt himself rising to the challenge. Samhain tossed his head powerfully, his mane flying and his irregular white blaze flashed like lightening in the sun. He was over the body language, he wanted to spring into action, a deep desire to show this filly that she wasn't the all supreme queen she was playing herself off to be. This turf was just as much his as it was hers.

There was no skin off his nose as she mentioned sweeping the turf wins from SOPS. Secretly a part of him was glad that some of the wins were now being distributed more fairly. Lord knew, that SOPS had more than enough turf trophies for multiple stables. He was glad to see someone was rising to the challenge. Michael knew he and his stable weren't far behind. His eyes shined with an approving light of the woman's success on the turf. Things were balancing out and now things need to tip his way. He flashed her a smile, almost predatory like in nature. He was perfectly fine with this woman upsetting things, it only opened more doors for everyone else.

Michael then heard Ripley comment on Fire's surprise BC win and he almost heard a touch of muse. Firebird was a sore subject for him. The Oddside son was as talented as they could come and he'd proven it to the tracks again with his win here on the GHF tracks. He hadn't fully slumped and he was determined to turn the chestnut around for the remaining career. He almost smirked, when he heard Ripley's non-subtle inquisition about where his black bay filly would be running in the BC. He was a fool if he told her. He knew exactly where she was being pointed and his eyes conveyed his knowledge, but his lips told a different story. Nick and I are still in debate about where to send her, but you can definitely count on her showing up.

And then the talking was done and a part of Michael was glad. He was past the polite chatter and banter. Both riders and horses had their competitive drives sparked and now was the time to put words to action. Michael nodded at the terms in acceptance, his face now in an eager smirk. He was ready to show her he was a jockey worth his salt, a force to be reckoned and Sammy, well...he was more than willing to challenge for his rightful place - at the top.

She didn't hesitate. She just went. Michael knew his foe. Hourglass was versatile just like Sammy. Both were evenly matched in talent, but Hourlgass had more experience. Michael knew that they were both going to have to race smart. It was only six furlongs and they needed to make each move count. He didn't have to encourage Sammy at all. The moment Ripley had released her powerhouse of a filly, Sammy had reacted instinctively, powering up after her. Michael guided the colt effortlessly through the gap and onto the turf. The black colt had his eyes locked onto the prize, as he merged confidently into the stream of traffic on the turf. He galloped, not like a wild man, but with purpose. He watched the bay filly's movement and sensed the drive and desire from within himself and his rider. He felt the need and he was out to quench his desire for dominance. He was tired of being left behind and he was not about to willingly bow down to this dark bay filly. That's my boy Sammy. He encouraged the spirit being made manifested in the black demon. His expert eyes looked ahead to see the green-eyed woman flash a smile back at him and Sammy as they galloped at a stalking position on their right outside flank. He returned the favor and settled in for the drive home and knew that this was going to be one adventurous ride.</sub>

[*Ripley*]

Ripley focused on the ride playing out ahead of her. Samhain had flexed some muscle in every single race he ran in. Sometimes he ran at the front, the middle, the back. Just like Hourglass. But Hourglass did not play those games in her workouts. If Samhain was going to play The Devil's Hourglass' game he would have to run with her right from the start. Hourglass was the queen of speed in her turf workouts. Racing was a different story. Races were a game for Hourglass. This was a demonstration of superiority.

Hourglass' tipped all the way forward as she neared the backstretch of the track. Ripley's eyes shone with the light of war. Michael and Samhain would get the challenge they so needed. Perhaps they would beat Hourglass, perhaps not. Ripley was banking on the latter. Hourglass was too in form for the Warlock juvenile to truly handle. But stranger things had happened. Intrepid's mount would be looking for revenge. Ripley patted her filly's thick neck, pride surrounding that demonstration of affection. There had been no purely dominant runner in Witch Creek since The Devil's Touch herself. It was exciting to say the least.

Ripley did not have to so much as move a muscle for Hourglass to catch on to what she was supposed to do. The filly pinned her ears flat to her mane, punched it using her powerful hindquarters and roared forward with a turn of foot like no other. Ripley clung to her back, lost in the dark filly's mane, just a burr to this powerful animal. The owner of Witch Creek could not find anything more exciting than being aboard Hourglass in a workout. Except maybe Cross My Heart in a workout.

The stout bay filly tore up the course, black marked legs whipping beneath her compact frame. Her nostrils flared highlighting her savage nature. Hourglass could keep up this pace for a while. Six furlongs was nothing. The gauntlet had been thrown for Mr. Samhain. Ripley was going to finally discover if Samhain had truly been the one that got away. But knowing her prized filly, Hourglass was too precocious and deadly with her speed to really know for sure. The challenge had been launched. Hoofbeats pounded through the atmosphere as the filly rolled into the third furlong.

[Cavallo]

<sub>This blitz was halfway over, but Samhain was just warming up. He was hot on her haunches not about to be left behind. The turf was a domain Samhain loved, but now he was becoming one with it. He felt the grass give way softly under his churning daggers, his eyes locked onto the prize. His head stayed level with her haunches and as they entered into the third furlong, Michael didn't need to encourage him in the slightest.

He shifted gears so fluidly as he settled side-by-side with the filly. His thorns laced back flat against his crown as the wind whipped fiercely past him, furious at being displaced, but the colt paid no attention to the roar in his hears over the roar of the monster that was alive within him. His left eye locked onto the raging filly and a dark determination filled his senses and settled into a cold, calculating determination. She had thrown the gauntlet and he picked it up.

Air rushed into the deep caverns of his chest, fueling his rocketing body with fuel and power. Six furlongs was nothing, but it was going to have to be enough to demonstrate to this dark bay filly that he was more than enough. Michael couldn't help, but smile as he felt the demon underneath him, hungry and burning for more. He looked over at Ripley with a smile that said it all. There was only two furlongs left and he and Sammy were more than ready now to fight to the bitter end.

ooc// sorry so short BLAH</sub>