Post by Kirsten Jade on Jul 16, 2009 14:54:47 GMT -5
Sand StormNever Give Up Hope
or you will never succeed.
Kirsten sat tall in the saddle and allowed the cool ocean breeze run through her hair. It was a beautiful day outside and Kirsten figured it would be the perfect opportunity to go for a nice stroll along the beach. She really missed being on a beach and watching the cool fresh water moving together in harmony. The fresh air was wonderful too and if she were to go to the beach there was no better horse to ride than Sand Storm.
Stormy absolutely loved nature and loved to run in sand. It was a nice change for the stallion to be out here and not on the racetrack. A nice short little break to remind him what running and racing is all about. It was Kirsten’s latest idea, hoping that the stallion will perk up and remember what it felt like to win a race and to fight for the win. It’s not that he was losing his touch on the track; it’s just that he never seemed to be winning many races anymore. Perhaps the competition was more difficult or perhaps the stallion has had his glory and it’s time to move into the breeding shed.
Whatever the case might be there was one thing for sure. Kirsten was not going to give up hope for Stormy. He had another six races to go before retirement. All of them were big races that would need a lot of determination and talent to win. He was entered in the Continental Cup, Pegasus Stakes and three Memorial Stakes races and then his final race will be in the Breeder’s Cup Turf. Kirsten was a little wary on whether she should enter him in it but figured that whether they win or lose his last race just had to be in the Breeder’s Cup.
Kirsten loved to retire her horses only after the Breeder’s Cup because then they each would get a last chance for a major win. And it’ll be the last race people would get to see them run, it must be a memorable run. First though, Stormy had to get through the next five races of his career. He was against some tough competition like Passionate Class, On to the Spotlight, RW Memorial’s Blaze, FS Mockingbird, Striking Motion, Gorgeous George and Simply A Flyer. All of which were extremely good turf horses. Sand Storm would have to be on the top of his game to beat horses like these.
On the top of his game he will be, he was in fantastic shape – the best he has ever been in. He has plenty of experience and speed. Now he just needed a good break. Kirsten cued the light chestnut stallion into a canter. His mane whipped Kirsten in the face but it didn’t matter. The thrill of running by the water will never stop.
She had a sudden urge to dip her feet in the ocean and was about to decide against it when she figured, well why not? She slowed Stormy to a walk and then a stop. She dismounted and made sure to keep a firm grip on his reins. She walked to the edge of the water and as soon as the water touched her toe she felt a chill go through her spine. That was enough for her. She put her shoe back on and lowered Stormy’s stirrups to mount.
They were back into a canter now and Kirsten felt peaceful and excited for the races that they would be running within the next month. When it was her horses there was always hope for a win.