Post by LK on Jul 27, 2014 10:37:37 GMT -5
INTRODUCTIONS
DAYDREAM – “Bella” Nottingham
“Everything starts as somebody’s daydream” – Larry Niven
Bella smiled as she slipped the bridle on over the mare’s ears. Everything about Daydream just emitted calmness and experience. There was no dancing at the crossties or pinning of the ears when the girth was tightened. It had been a while since Bella had been on a horse this calm. Even Adelaide got somewhat anxious when she was being tacked up. But the mare still had to prove that she wanted to run to Felicity and OVS. Not much was known about the mare and there was some hope that the five year old still had some spirit in her.A mist hung over the breezing track that morning, a break from the heat that was sure to come later in the day. Dew dripped off of the gate as Bella swung it open to lead the tall bay mare onto the dirt. Rea stopped once going to the starting line, she pricked her ears and whinnied. Hearing no response, she continued on. Bella double checked the girth before one of the grooms gave her a leg up. The mare moved off, onto the rail and settled into a gliding walk. The jockey was sure if she didn’t show any promise as a racehorse, she would throw some good-looking foals.
After taking a lap to warm up, Bella asked the mare for an easy canter, not wanting to take any chances. Her pulse quickened when she spotted a couple of figures next to the rail. Most likely Felicity and Blake, come to watch the new horse.
Later, when she was sure that Rea had warmed up sufficiently, Bella tapped the mare on the shoulder with the crop. She almost lost her seat when Rea shot out from underneath her, plowing down the backstretch. A rookie mistake. Bella would be kicking herself for that later. Settling into the mare’s back, she brought Rea back into an easy gallop for a quarter of a mile before opening her up.
They were told from the previous owner that Daydream was a front runner. Bella was not entirely sure how the mare would do without a breezing partner. But she was confident that the mare would show her everything she could do today.
By the half mile mark, Bella had given Rea her head and the mare was opening up. The track was flying by beneath them, but she could feel the energy still coiled up in the mare’s back. The three-quarter mark approached and Bella kissed once. It was a feeling like shifting gears. Rea switched to her left lead, eating up the furlong in record time. The mare had flattened even more. This moment was always Bella’s favorite. It was freedom.
Bella grinned as they came down the backstretch and flew across the mile marker. She eased back on Rea’s mouth to bring her in; the mare fighting the bit for a minute, not wanting to stop. After they had cooled out some, Bella turned the bay towards the rail where her trainer/owner was waiting. Felicity was smiling. She nodded once to horse and rider before walking off with her husband. It was a very hopeful day.
