Post by Lolly on Apr 6, 2017 7:22:21 GMT -5
Bohemian Rhapsody + Leo Turner
She was an exciting prospect; the first addition to Highgrove with bloodlines to boast about. Sure, there had been other well bred horses here, but not whilst Connie had taken over the reins. It was obvious she was far more excited about the arrival of Bohemian Rhapsody than Leo was, wgo had seen it all before. Fingers fumbled with a stubborn keeper on the fillies throat latch, the task made much harder by the fillies constant desire to bob her head in apparent frustration. “Honestly Bo, don’t be a censored,” Connie teased, finally wrestling the leather into the stiff keeper - she really had to get to oiling all the gear again. “This is what a real athlete looks like,” Leo appeared, pulling well-worn gloves over his hands, “Unlike that joke,” he gestured to the bright bay filly who peered curiously over her stall door; humming in an effort to draw Bo near. Thankfully Connie knew he was joking, or she might have had a few more words to say about her much-loved Best More or Less.
“I bet you are going to enjoy this,” a few weeks ago she might have been nervous about seeing Leo climb atop the back of a horse who looked like it was going to explode; as Bohemian Rhapsody did now, all hot breath, grinding teeth and defiant attitude. But she knew he breathed challenge, thoroughbreds were his lifeforce and any with a bit of extra zing only encouraged him moreso. It took a good few minutes of attempting to dodge the ebony black horses peeved nips, whilst trying to leg her friend up into the jockey pad, but thankfully they made it in due time; but not without a few green, crescent marks on her shirt to show for it.
Leo and Bo wasted no time to get moving; the duo setting off at a high-stepping jog, which seemed to be Leo’s way of preventing Bo’s probable carry-on - she was happy whilst she was moving and had something to put her mind to. The air was still fresh, despite it being later in the morning than they would usually be working, and Connie pulled her scarf up higher over her neck as she settled to lean against the railing of the turf track. Things were really starting to come together around here, and thanks to Leo has his greater experience, it was looking good for the upcoming race reason.
The filly was warmed up at a well-paced lope, and the rolling of air through her nostrils was a satisfying sound from Connie’s stand-point. Even in a canter the filly looked magnificent, if not for her stunning black coat then the powerful way she effortlessly moved, with huge drive from her quarters. And as if Leo had read his stable-partner’s rager thoughts, he gradually released Bohemian Rhapsody into a gallop - and boy was it magnificent!
A short time later, as Connie moved forwards, her rosey-cheeked face obviously impressed with the workout, Leo brought the young thoroughbred to a walk by Connie’s side; the young adult snagging the filly by her reins as her rider dismounted. “There’s no point arguing with this horse,” Leo said amidst the pant of his lungs, “She’s stubborn as a donkey.” Connie’s smile faded slightly, becoming concerned that the workout wasn’t as great as she had thought. “But boy, for such an inexperienced youngster she has a pretty good grasp on how she’d like to win.” That was good, right? Leo gave the filly a firm slap on the shoulder before marching on ahead, and Connie followed suit with a more satisfying rub. Time would tell.