to a new beginning (Frosty*Brandy)

[tigrisrunner]

<sub>The sky shown a brilliant baby blue as Ripley Marsh climbed out of her truck. This was a great way to start a new tradition. Her barn had been shrunk because times were getting tougher to deal with. Demonic Prince had died of colic. Royal Assault was doing worse at the track and the great queen El Sol del Mar had been retired from a fracture in her beautiful legs. Ripley frowned in dismay as unhappy thoughts flickered through her mind. She urged herself to face a new excitement as the echoing sounds of hoofs smacked the trailer.

Royal Assault was smelling the air eagerly and Ripley recognized the signs of excitedness because Bee was making the trailer rock around by her frantic movements. Ripley hurried along the metal trailer with her voice cooing out in gentle, calming words. Had the horse been El Sol del Mar those words would have halted all the antics. However, this was not the darling Sunny, the track's racing queen. This was the Green Horse Field princess. By all rights this spectacular place had made Royal Assault once and this would be her home for a long while even though her hoofs would have grace the racing track again.

Ripley unlocked the tailgate and slowly set the ramp upon the dirt path. The inquiring snort reached Ripley's ears even though the shadows hid the snort's owner. Ripley grabbed the light blue lead rope and marched into the shadows. The filly stomped impatiently as she went through the things that went with trailering. Before long, Ripley was leading the horse out of the trailer and into the brilliant yellow sunlight. Even now after owning the filly for nearly two years Ripley was still awestruck by the filly's magnificent presence.

Her cobalt body gleamed in excellent health, its color nearly taking on a bluish tone. Her head was dished and her narrow, black eyes betrayed sharp intelligence. Ripley was often reminded of a fox when she looked at this elegant filly. This filly would prove to be a champion in eventing. She already had a second and third in cross country and jumping respectfully. In her really short career in eventing she had only not placed in the top three once with a dismal seventh in dressage. Royal Assault was still a top competitor and probably always would.

Ripley hooked her to the trailer and quickly took off the traveling wraps. Not seconds later she replaced them with light blue wraps for a strong move on the trails. Royal Assault stood still with her legs, but her head was constantly swivelling about. The pine forest trail was quiet for the most part. Animal sounds flickered now and then, but all of this was still foreign to Assault.

Ripley threw the english riding saddle up on Royal Assault's lengthy cobalt back. For some reason everything fit. No matter what Ripley did with this filly the experience was always worthwhile. Ripley bridled her and slowly led her down the trail having shut the trailer after unloading the intelligent tall filly. "You know what this is all about, huh Bee?" The filly nickered softly as Ripley leaped into the saddle. Assault pranced forward with her whole body braced for action. This was not the track however, if there was a chance to run it would be on a well-cleared path and not an unknown forest trail. Ripley let Bee move into a smooth jog. She could give the brilliant cobalt horse something after making her switch to a different lifestyle.</sub>

[/left][/sub]

[lily]

TOLEDO SURPRISE ridden by Roger Anderson. *POV


HS GALLANT REFLECTION ridden by Monica Stevenson.

That's it! Keep your reins loose.

I watched the brunette haired girl by means of cocking my head to the side. Her three year old mount moved at an easy jog pace, leaning into the extra rein she was being given. A light smile traced my lips as I slowly watched Monica relax on Fae's back. I, as the head trainer, offered to take Monica and Fae on their first trail ride here because the last time Monica went on a trail ride, she had had an awful time controlling an unruly pony mare that we have at our barn, Glamour Girl. To ensure confidence, I figured my and Surprise's presence would give both horse and rider support to help them have a good ride. Monica had a natural seat and Fae was just an intelligent, reserved filly, they were a match made in heaven. I focused back on my own mount, although he cared little for my commands. He had settled from racing into western riding and the huge western saddle on his back suggested that! He moved at a sluggish pace and barely noticed when I asked for a quicker paced trot. I rolled my eyes, a huge difference from when I first began his training as a four year old, just off the track. Now six, he was one of my favorites to bring on the trail. My attention reverted back to my riding as Surprise let out a long whinny towards someone ahead with a trailer nearby. Monica and I slowed our mounts to a forward walk as we approached the trotting pair. I glanced over at the girl and she moved into a forward trot with Fae. Surprise leapt to catch up and we arrived just beside the pair. I offered a friendly smile.

Hey! Mind if we join you?

My eyes glazed over the black filly the other girl rode. The rider looked familiar but the horse even more so. I expected, from her lean look, that she was a racehorse of some sort and I had been around the block here now. I'd probably seen her go. She was impressive.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

The dark bay mare moved at a cautious pace down the trail. She hadn't gotten used to my commands yet, and she certainly didn't trust me as much as she had trusted Lacee, but we were getting along. She was competing successfully in dressage at the showing association and was making her name known to the showing world. Flash At Dawn was a gorgeous horse, with beautiful movement and a naturally showy attitude. Though she was a thoroughbred sired by a racehorse, right from the start she had been a show horse. Sadly, though, she was handicapped; Tawny was blind.

The call of birds around us didn't startle her, though, as she had gotten used to it. The scent of the horses ahead of us though, which I had just begun to make out, had her skittish and nervous. I quietly took up the reins, and as my quiet assurance filled me it filled her as well. Tawny calmed down and trotted forward at her normal pace, her ears pricked and alert, her hoofsteps light and ready at any instant to dodge an oncoming attack. I soothed the mare with a quick pat before smiling a greeting at the three horses I saw.

Ripley and Royal Assault! I exclaimed delightedly. Tawny didn't shy at my voice, as she was used to it. And.....you guys are from CCI right? We've met before, I think, but I can't remember your names.....

[lily]

TOLEDO SURPRISE ridden by Roger Anderson. *POV


HS GALLANT REFLECTION ridden by Monica Stevenson.

Yeah, we are. I'm Roger and this is Monica. She's riding Fae and I'm on Surprise. Where are you all from?

I responded in a friendly manner. Monica was hushed, patting Fae's neck encouragingly. The grey filly swiveled her head to look at the dark bay mare. I watched the other mare for a moment. Something about her looked different to me, the way she was holding herself but I wasn't about to say anything. I offered the new arrival a light smile and offered a little more vocals in her direction.

And you are from Stride of Perfection, right?

I was pretty sure of it because I'd seen her jockey before. I had tons of respect for SOPS and they had had a great year. I was excited for HOTY and Breeders Cup because I felt like CCI may have a chance this year. I patted Surprise's golden neck and the stallion sighed deeply, flicking a lazy ear back towards me. Crazy that he was a thoroughbred racehorse. Now you would think he was a quarter horse!

[tigrisrunner]

<sub>Ripley stroked the cobalt filly's mane as she contemplated Royal Assault's chances in showing. Even Bee's brunette trainer was shocked by the way Royal Assault was looking these days. Never during her short but sweet racing career had this leggy filly looked as good as did today. Muscles bulged on her hind legs from all the trail work at Akita Rose Stables Ripley had given her. Ripley wondered whether the stress of racing had been getting to Royal Assault as those last few months rolled on by.

Her head swiveled around quickly as a voice echoed down the path. Surprisingly, her black filly swung around to face the oncoming horses as well. Bee must be more sensitive than Ripley had thought. The black filly grew tense, her head arched and she displayed her dominance with a angered flash of teeth. Royal Assault was known at Akita Rose Stables for being one of the bosses. Even El Sol del Mar, whose leadership was never tested, had grown impatient with Royal Assault's antics. However, there were times when the pair were caught grazing beside each other.

Ripley smacked the filly's neck firmly as she tried to whirl and lash out. Royal Assault snorted, but settled down when Ripley backed her up a few steps to keep the horses and riders safe. Instinctively her eyes traveled to the horses instead of the riders. One was a brilliant looking palomino and the other a powerful gray. Each displayed the looks of pampered, expensive horses. Ripley smirked at herself as she compared Royal Assault to the pair. It was no contest but that was from owner's bias.

"No I don't mind. Just keep an eye out. Bee's a bit controlling, tends to be a bit of a brat." Even as those words came out, there was a hint of affection and pride. The scatter of hoofs over the path, drew Ripley's gaze up. Another horse and rider was coming down. Naturally, Royal Assault had been wathing intently for a while. Ripley's face broke into an energetic smile as the woman came closer. She knew her, though her mount was unfamiliar.

"Hey! Whose your beautiful girl?" Ripley listened to the two newcomers carefully. She shook her head at herself. "I'm sorry I forgot to introduce myself. I was too busy admiring your horses." She smiled at the two people from CCI. "I'm Ripley Marsh and this is Royal Assault, one of the best two year old fillies there ever was at Green Horse Fields... At least I think so. I also trained El Sol del Mar in case that doesn't ring a bell."

She turned to the other rider. "My horses certainly have taken better to showing than even I ever thought." Pride and excitement glinted in her sharp green eyes. "How has Barely A Moment been doing?" Ripley had always been a fan of the tough stallion even as he proved a challenging competitor to El Sol del Mar.</sub>

[/sub][/left]

[lily]

TOLEDO SURPRISE ridden by Roger Anderson. *POV


HS GALLANT REFLECTION ridden by Monica Stevenson.

Nice to meet you, Ripley. Yeah, I've seen Royal Assault run and I was coaching one of my riders at her event the other day. She did a great job.

I offered a light smile in response. Surprise nickered lightly to Royal Assault now, surrounded by fillies. I rolled my eyes. He was such a flirt. Monica was hushed, aboard Fae. The gray filly flickered a light ear towards Bee, unconcerned by the other filly's behavior. I lightly listened to Ripley's words to the other rider, who also looked familiar. A light smile crossed my lips as I recognized some of the names that the two riders threw out into the open. Monica caught my eye quickly and then dropped it. I sat up in my saddle, no words crossing my lips. Well, it was a little stupid of us to be the talkers. Monica and I were the quietest in the stable. I was getting better but Monica was still kind of shy. Well, when you didn't know her.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

I listened to their chatter, observing Royal Assault's antics with an unsurprised eye. I had seen the filly on the racecourse enough to not be surprised if she started acting up. Tawny snorted, feeling the air moving, and quickly skirted sideways a couple feet away. I decided to let her, just so that she was more comfortable in the presence of the three horses. Her ears were extremely alert now, her muscles tense and ready to react.

Yep, I'm from Stride Of Perfection. I'm Amber Black, and the horse I'm riding here is Flash At Dawn - Tawny, for short. You might want to watch your horses around her - Tawny's blind. I said this matter of factly, and I was looking mostly at Ripley while I said this. Royal Assault might intend to hurt Tawny just to show her dominance, and Tawny was the type that backed down. I needed to be strong in the presence of such a dominant thoroughbred.

That's good to hear. It is possible to convert from racing to showing I said good naturedly. You could also try making some western speed horses. It's worked for Momento, actually. It's what he's training for these days. He'll start when he turns six. Momento has three foals being born next year - all of them look extremely promising. I haven't bred a foal from him myself yet, but he's been training too hard for that.

[tigrisrunner]

<sub>Ripley kept her mare on tight reins though Royal Assault had settled down after a few moments with the other horses. The black thoroughbred was too busy analyzing the other horses to make much of a move. However, bad things could happen in a split second. Ripley knew that more than any other person. I smiled contentedly at the two people from CCI and said, "It will be one heck of a showing year when everything gets more settled down." Then Ripley listened quietly to Amber.

When she refered to Royal Assault and the other two horses about dangerous antics Ripley nodded carefully. "Of course. Bee won't hurt your Tawny. She is all fuss, but I'll keep her back anyway just in case." Ripley narrowed her eyes on Amber Black's horse, but they were full of curiosity and excitement. "She must truly love you if she allows you on her back. That kind of thing is pretty much unbreakable."

Ripley loved to listen about the race horses she once knew. Barely A Moment had been brilliant on the track and she could only imagine what kind of foals he would put out there. "Western is a good sport. Maybe I'll consider it for The Devil's Touch, my favorite baby from Touch Up. Native Flame doesn't have the kind of speed it takes because it takes him a while to his big legs under him. Same with Royal Assault. But I imagine she could do it." Ripley's smile dimmed quite a bit as she went on. "El Sol del Mar is pretty much out of the running for any kind of sport. We only retired her because of the fracture from her last race, but we can't take a chance." Ripley shook her head with a kind of grief only a person was missing her other half.

"I'm glad Momento is doing so well. We're going to breed Native Flame and DW Flamekissed this year. It's going to be a wonderful spring next year with so many new foals." Ripley glanced around, noting Royal Assault's subtle dancing moves. "Want to go for a trail ride? We could use the company." Ripley's sharp green eyes flickered to the three other people with a new excitement.</sub>

[lily]

TOLEDO SURPRISE ridden by Roger Anderson. *POV


HS GALLANT REFLECTION ridden by Monica Stevenson.

I listened quietly to the chatter going on around me. I watched the other dark bay that Amber was riding with a sense of interest. I had worked with a few blind horses in my years but none of our horses at CCI had that sort of disability. It was incredible to be riding a completely blind horse and I had tons of respect for SOPS and Amber for keeping her on with them even though she may be unconfident in some aspects of training. My eyes fell on Royal Assault again who was prancing. I nodded lightly at Ripley's suggestion of moving to a trail ride. Monica caught my eye and quietly moved Fae into a walk. The quiet gray futurity filly moved just slightly behind Tawny, finding a friendship possibility. Fae nickered quietly, not too energetically and lightly pushed her muzzle towards the blind horse. Monica kept her reins short, her eyes focused on her mount's interaction with the blind mare. I watched the gray carefully and admired her gentle behavior. Her sire (a CCI foundation stud) had recently died from an outbreak of equine influenza. We missed Spoke a lot but were glad to have his daughter with us and Fae, who was now truly an orphan (her mother died at birth), is living out both of her parents' careers. I moved the palomino I was riding nearby Fae and Surprise snorted lightly, tossing his mane lightly. I replied to their speech about western riding, talking of my palomino and explaining a little about him in the process.

This guy here, Surprise, was a racehorse as well and now adores going western. It was a rough adjustment because he was really hyper but now he is calm. We're hoping that his son, CCI Surprise Party, will chill out with age too.

A light grin crossed my lips as I thought of Surprise's three year old racehorse son. Preston, as he was called, was a speed demon and craz-ay. I was his jockey and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

I nodded my head at Ripley's comment on Tawny. We've bonded well. Lacee Kay used to own her, but when we got her about a year ago I couldn't resist. Her sire, Flash Of Lightning, was a stallion a bit farther back who was a grade one who swept the races - unfortunately, he, like so many others, was sold off and disappeared from the scene. Just like Deathflash. I couldn't resist meeting a daughter of his, and so Tawny became mine.

Tawny stiffened slightly as Fae approached, expecting it but still cautious. She relaxed after a second though, recognizing a friendship possibility, and quietly nickered to the other filly. Her stride became slower, as if inviting the other to walk alongside. I smiled as I saw her making new friends. She wouldn't always have Dyna and Splash to guard her, and this was good to make her feel more confident despite her blindness.

My eyes flicked to Brandy and I nodded as she spoke about Toledo Surprise, and then another thought popped into my head. Speaking of Surprise there, his foal out of Foolish Entity is due any moment. Tests have confirmed that it's a filly, and she may have the same palomino coloring! My voice was very excited at the end part. The filly would be half sister to Foolish Lad, one of my most successful turf two year olds, and also to Moondance. Oddly enough, both horses were handled by my other rider Krystal Yhate, and the filly might follow in their hoofsteps if she was anything like her siblings.

A trail ride sounds great! I exclaimed. Do you know any really good trails around in this part? I knew some myself, but I didn't want to choose today. By the way I added will Native Flame be up for public stud? The idea of a foal by the colt who had challenged my Impressario in the Juvenile was an exciting thought.

[tigrisrunner]

<sub>Ripley stroked Royal Assault's dark neck softly. She held herself still while the other people in our newly joined group of our riders spoke. The brunette listened intently not minding the way the riders lingered about. It was nice to be on a trail instead of always riding on a fast race track where competition was the supreme leader.

The beautiful horse Amber rode was uneasy, but she certainly carried herself well. A lot of people wouldn't have taken a chance with a blind filly, but there were those special few that would. Everyone was good for something no matter what disabilities followed them through life. "CCI Surprise Party was quite a horse from what I saw of him at the track. A few times I think he raced against a couple of my horses. He's a strong competitor that one. Very special."

Ripley nodded quickly to Amber. "The Pine Trail is good and quiet. I was planning on doing some endurance work with Royal Assault for cross-country in the eventing. Just a long canter would be great for this one. She's been dying to stretch her legs."

The black filly moved out quickly with the light touch of Ripley's foot and took off at a long walk. The brunette turned quickly and flashed an excited smile at Amber. "Native Flame will be up for public stud. He'll have brilliant foals. He is strong and big boned. You certainly won't get a lightweight out of him on the track or in the show ring. Jeez, he has got to be a good eighteen hands now, but he is as gentle as ever." The affection was there for the great big bay. "I'm breeding El Sol del Mar next year to that big boy. What a brilliant foal it'll be." She smirked. "I certainly go for the underdog."</sub>

[lily]

TOLEDO SURPRISE ridden by Roger Anderson. *POV


HS GALLANT REFLECTION ridden by Monica Stevenson.

A light smile touched my lips as I watched Monica relax and allow Fae to walk in step with Tawny. The gray filly was careful not to spook the other horse, using her obvious intuition. Seriously, Fae had quite a bit of intelligence and compassion and I wasn't the least bit surprised that she was making friends with the blind horse. My eyes moved back to Monica as I saw a brilliant smile sweep across her lips. Fae returned Tawny's nicker with a comforting whicker of her own, her deep vocals encouraging and delicate. She didn't make any moves to startle the other horse and I was surprised to hear Monica speak to Amber Black.

Look's like we have some new friends over here.

I was a little surprised at the delight in Monica's voice. She was still getting used to the horsey life she had and originally came to the farm terrified of horses. Her niece, our short stirrup firecracker Liza, was the only reason she came but through horses we gave to her to work with like Fae and Cadet, her racehorse, she found her niche in the quiet ones. I focused back onto Amber and nodded lightly with a smile, patting my palomino's neck as I spoke about him. He snorted lightly as he listened, flicking his ears back and forth.

I can't wait to see her around. It's so exciting for him to have more foals on the ground!

A beaming smile crossed my lips as I heard Ripley mention about my racing colt, CCI Surprise Party. What she said of him was very true. He was a good competitor. I nodded lightly now and replied with a joking tone to my voice.

Yeah, I imprinted Preston when he was a colt and he always was a spazz. Honestly... It was nothing I did, I promise...

I grinned lightly, my dimples popping in my cheeks. Then I listened to their conversation about Native Flame, a racehorse I'd seen go a couple times. I had nothing to contribute to the conversation and both Monica and I could benefit from the canter on the trail. I wound my fingers around Surprise's snow white mane, my mind wandering slightly.

(beeteedubs frostay, this is roger speaking, who is the co-owner of CCI and there is no character of mine named brandy. that's just my name. )

[S u N f r O s t ~]

ooc// Yowch sorry. I dislike typos.

ic// Tawny here too I replied to Ripley. She stretches them out often enough, but she never really goes fast without some company. I decided not to say what I had thought of for why. The dark bay thoroughbred was more calm when she had friends to guide her at fast speeds. In dressage, speed wasn't a problem, the reason why she excelled so highly in it because it was the only sport she could do perfectly and wanted to do. She liked perfection at times.

Definitely I agreed with Monica. Tawny made no reply to the comforting wicker, only lazily rotated her ears around a couple of times, picking up the sounds around her as well as relaxing some more as Fae took up the mantle of being her friend; protection and vigilance for the disabled. I was just as good, but having a friend of the same species was better for the mare.

She's due in a couple of weeks. I'm very excited! I've never had a possible palomino thoroughbred in the barns. Krystal or Henna will enjoy working with her. Henna Turath was new, and she worked with Silent Wings in the racing stock and maybe two in the yearlings. She also worked with Splash Sensation, by classy eventer.

Nothing you did? Sure I teased. You probably left him near too many horses who set the example.....

[lily]

TOLEDO SURPRISE ridden by Roger Anderson. *POV


HS GALLANT REFLECTION ridden by Monica Stevenson.

My eyes fell on Monica and Fae walking peacefully beside the blind mare. A graceful smile touched the brunette girl's lips as the gray filly sighed deeply, swishing her tail lightly over the other mare's back. I couldn't imagine a better friend for the disabled mare and it touched my heart that the young filly reached out for Tawny. I grinned lightly at Amber's first comment and nodded at the possibility of people working with Surprise's fourth babeh. I had heard of the people she mentioned (I'm not a stalker but I'm around the track A LOT) and I was pleased to have a baby at SOPS. We were due to breed quite a few racing babes next year and I was excited for the connection between CCI and SOPS. I grinned lightly at Amber's teasing and patted Surprise's alabaster mane, jokingly blaming the stud beneath me.

Seriously, if there was anyone to blame, it'd be this guy... And lucky you, you have his genes in your stable now.

I stuck out my tongue kiddingly and the palomino stallion snorted as if annoyed with my speech. A light laugh danced from my vocals as I glanced around our little group. Surprise, bored with our conversation, bobbed his head in a goofy fashion. I chuckled lightly and suggested a change of pace.

Would everyone be up for a little jog?

Surprise snorted again, as if to agree and Monica nodded, lightly smiling in my direction.