Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2016 22:45:07 GMT -5
Friendly Competition
Keenan and Adelaide were new to town, they'd both just moved here after accepting a job at White Manor. Growing up together, and then eventually dating, these two workout jockeys had always been close to who and what they loved. Today these two newcomers were walking the fresh two year olds out on to the workout track. Keenan would be riding the quiet filly, White Martini, while his adrenaline junky girlfriend would be riding the spunky colt, Manor Episode. After getting a leg up the two of them slowly jogged to the starting gate. Mattie walked right in to the gate with out much of a fuss, Keenan settling in to wait for Soot to load. Adelaide had her hands full on the crisp morning. Soot was certainly feeling his oats, along with the cold weather and new surroundings. Soot was certain the gate was a big scary monster out to kill him. He tossed his head and reared slightly. Adelaide talked gently to him trying to get him to calm. "C'mon big boy, you can do it. It's not going to eat you. See? Mattie walked right in no problem. Once you're in, you can run. Can you do that?" She guided him up until he could just barely extend his nose and sniff his friend's hind end. His nostrils flared as his eyes showed their whites. He slowly stepped closer to the gate Adelaide was trying to guide him in. She kept easy pressure with her heels and on the rein, coaxing the weary colt into the gates. Once he stepped in, and they closed the gates behind him, he tried to bolt, only to be stopped by the ones in front. She slowly ran her hand over his withers, laughing at the face Keenan was pulling at her. Mattie sighed heavily waiting for Soot to get his act together and just get his butt in the gate so they could run.
Once the two horses were both loaded and quiet in the gates Adelaide and Keenan looked at each other, making certain the other was ready. Adelaide gave a nod to the gate stewardess, letting them know they were ready. A second later a bell split the air and the gate opened. Both horses sprang forward, Soot grabbing the early lead. Mattie broke a little slower, taking a second to get into her rhythm. This was her turf...or dirt?She wasn't going to let that fool show her up. Once she started gathering speed, there wasn't any stopping her. She surely was gaining ground on the colt in front of her. Soot wasn't too sure about the footing below him, but he was trying his hardest to keep his lead. Approximately four furlongs into the run, Mattie was nose to nose with the colt, and by five was pulling ahead of him. Soot tossed his head, but he didn't have anymore to give on the soft dirt. By six furlongs Mattie had the run in the bag, and their two riders where pulling them up. Both Keenan and Adelaide were grinning ear to ear, both had dirt plastered to their faces. They sat back and allowed their charges to slowly jog back to the gate. Upon arrival they dismounted, scratching their mounts behind their ears. Soot nibbled on Adelaide's shirt sleeve, asking for a treat. She pulled out a couple of peppermints and gave each horse one before they headed back to the the barn for a nice grooming.