Post by LK on Aug 3, 2014 11:57:59 GMT -5
Handsome Tabby – Isabelle Nottingham
Ridgecrest – Kallie Sullivan
“I believe cats to be spirits come to earth. A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through.” – Jules Verne
“Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.” – Paulo Coelho
Tabs was rather worked up this morning. Isabelle noticed he was a bit more agitated than usual. It made sense being the four year old had been off for a couple of weeks. Not to mention he had switched barns in that amount of time; A big adjustment for a horse in the middle of his race career.
The chestnut stallion repeatedly chomped on his bit while he sidestepped away from Bella. She scowled at Tabs for she was currently trying to climb on his back before he decided he was done with the whole ordeal. Finally she got him to stand long enough to throw her leg over his back and her feet in the stirrups. She gave him a quick pat before allowing the big horse to walk off.
Out of the corner of her eye, Bella saw the impatient figure of Ridgecrest approaching the track. The grey colt was throwing his head up in protest as Maverick led him to the track. Bella held her breath. Ridge never liked anyone other than Kallie on his back. She hoped that Felicity hadn’t decided to put the more experience jockey on him for his upcoming race. It would be a disaster.
Ridge had almost managed to break free from his handler when his tense muscles suddenly relaxed. He had spotted the lythe figure of Kallie walking up to him, helmet and crop in hand. Bella smiled, of course Felicity would let Kallie ride the colt, they were perfect for each other. Ridgecrest’s massive strides and alertness during the race almost made up for Kallie’s lack of experience being a jockey. Being a groom normally, this was the first race Felicity had let the young girl ride in.
After Kallie and Ridge had joined them, Bella continued to warm up Tabs. He seemed to be working out of his edginess this morning, a promising sign. By the time they had come back around to the homestretch, the horses were warmed up and ready to go. It would be a short exercise today, as they didn’t want Tabs and Ridge to be too warn out before their races.
Bella nodded to Kallie as the rounded the first turn. They started to let the horses stretch out into a gallop a little at a time. They would only go for a six furlongs and a flat out gallop, an easy distance for these two.
Tabby decided to take front runner today as Ridgecrest was a preceder. He could swing either way, but it also depended on the horses he was running against. Bella glanced back at the grey horse to check on Kallie. She was serious faced but they seemed to be doing well. Focused again on the chestnut underneath her, Bella loosened her grip a little more on the reins to get more steam out of the stallion. Tabs opened up and began to pull away from the colt.
Before long Tabby was leading by a stride and wanted to open up even more. Bella held him back slightly as to encourage Kallie and Ridge to catch up. She was not disappointed. The grey colt came flashing up beside them and had almost passed them before their finish pole had flashed by.
Satisfied, the two riders pulled their mounts up and began cooling them down. Bella grinned at Kallie and complemented on the two’s performance today. If the girl kept riding like she had, Felicity may just make her a full time jockey.
Ridgecrest – Kallie Sullivan
“I believe cats to be spirits come to earth. A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through.” – Jules Verne
“Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.” – Paulo Coelho
Tabs was rather worked up this morning. Isabelle noticed he was a bit more agitated than usual. It made sense being the four year old had been off for a couple of weeks. Not to mention he had switched barns in that amount of time; A big adjustment for a horse in the middle of his race career.
The chestnut stallion repeatedly chomped on his bit while he sidestepped away from Bella. She scowled at Tabs for she was currently trying to climb on his back before he decided he was done with the whole ordeal. Finally she got him to stand long enough to throw her leg over his back and her feet in the stirrups. She gave him a quick pat before allowing the big horse to walk off.
Out of the corner of her eye, Bella saw the impatient figure of Ridgecrest approaching the track. The grey colt was throwing his head up in protest as Maverick led him to the track. Bella held her breath. Ridge never liked anyone other than Kallie on his back. She hoped that Felicity hadn’t decided to put the more experience jockey on him for his upcoming race. It would be a disaster.
Ridge had almost managed to break free from his handler when his tense muscles suddenly relaxed. He had spotted the lythe figure of Kallie walking up to him, helmet and crop in hand. Bella smiled, of course Felicity would let Kallie ride the colt, they were perfect for each other. Ridgecrest’s massive strides and alertness during the race almost made up for Kallie’s lack of experience being a jockey. Being a groom normally, this was the first race Felicity had let the young girl ride in.
After Kallie and Ridge had joined them, Bella continued to warm up Tabs. He seemed to be working out of his edginess this morning, a promising sign. By the time they had come back around to the homestretch, the horses were warmed up and ready to go. It would be a short exercise today, as they didn’t want Tabs and Ridge to be too warn out before their races.
Bella nodded to Kallie as the rounded the first turn. They started to let the horses stretch out into a gallop a little at a time. They would only go for a six furlongs and a flat out gallop, an easy distance for these two.
Tabby decided to take front runner today as Ridgecrest was a preceder. He could swing either way, but it also depended on the horses he was running against. Bella glanced back at the grey horse to check on Kallie. She was serious faced but they seemed to be doing well. Focused again on the chestnut underneath her, Bella loosened her grip a little more on the reins to get more steam out of the stallion. Tabs opened up and began to pull away from the colt.
Before long Tabby was leading by a stride and wanted to open up even more. Bella held him back slightly as to encourage Kallie and Ridge to catch up. She was not disappointed. The grey colt came flashing up beside them and had almost passed them before their finish pole had flashed by.
Satisfied, the two riders pulled their mounts up and began cooling them down. Bella grinned at Kallie and complemented on the two’s performance today. If the girl kept riding like she had, Felicity may just make her a full time jockey.
