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Post by S u N f r O s T ~ on Aug 24, 2012 10:15:14 GMT -5
FIRE DANCER AND KRYSTAL YHATE WILD KISS AND AMBER BLACK
The two bays were both fairly easy to handle. Fire Dancer was a dream mare as long as she could act as arrogantly as she pleased. Even now the daughter of Native Flame was acting big. Her eyes stared straight ahead, her head was held high and her tail flicked imperiously every now and then. Wild Kiss, on the other hand, was relatively calm, though her eyes spoke of childish excitement. The four year old bay was happy to do what was asked of her as long as she eventually got her way. Right now Kiss desired a little bit of running but would be delayed for the time being. After an interesting season thus far, both mares were taking to the trails for some long distance conditioning.
These trails used to be cross country trails, but the jumps had long since been removed from them. Now they were used to get stamina into the racehorses and for pleasure riding and exercise of the other horses. Those being trained into steeplechase often rode one of the trails on which the jumps had not been removed. Though Kiss and Fire were merely grade fours and were not at the height of success most SOPS horses were expected to be at at that age, they were dearly loved by the SOPS crew and letting them go would be too sad. They had both argued externally that Kiss and Fire had a lot of value as bloodstock, while on the inside both jockeys just didn't want to let their horses go.
Each woman relived the few victories they had had aboard their mounts and planned for more. Kiss and Fire were resting off the remainder of March and would likely be going for some races in April. So now they were resting on the home tracks and the home grounds. The effect had been calming on them both, and they both moved forward eagerly. Kiss openly expressed her desire while Fire imperiously dismissed it as a lesser feeling, yet Krystal could feel the quickening of her steps that spoke of eagerness. The two moved forward silently, though there was something on the tip of Amber's lips that she had been dying to discuss.
There's somebody new joining the crew Krystal, hopefully she finally managed to say after about five minutes of walking. Krystal let the look of surprise flit across her face. She waited for more information. Her name is Valencia Andrews. She's young and inexperienced, an apprentice jockey at best. I was hoping she could be a bit of an exercise rider for us, and maybe even jockey in a race or two when we need her. The first impressions I have of her is that she's ambitious and she's eager to learn. She's getting all of that here, and I like the way she rides. Krystal nodded. Well, if she's good enough for you she must have some trace of skill. What kind of test were you thinking of for her?
Amber smirked. She clucked and got Kiss into a trot before replying, as Krystal fell in behind. Her first test will be very easy. She'll ride a more experienced horse against a lesser experienced one. Her second and final test will be immensely difficult. I think I'll have us three ride against her. I don't want to let her ride any of our super fancy horses yet, not until I know her better, but she's getting her hands on some quality horses nonetheless. Krystal once again merely nodded before falling silent for a time. The two women picked up a canter about two miles into the trail. The sounds of nature filled in the gaps of their conversation.
A sudden birdcall startled Kiss, who had lazily been drifting along. The bay mare snorted and bolted slightly forward. Amber gently held the mare back. When she finally regained control Fire nickered as though questioning the intelligence of the other mare. She seemed to be saying It was a only a bird, geez. Krystal loved her mare's attitude. She pat her neck with a grin on her face and smirked at Amber's back. They were showing up Kiss today. But Amber was too at ease aboard Kiss to really care. Even if Kiss had just spooked, she had guts, a trait that belonged to her sire DW Flamekissed. Fire possessed the sort of guts that made her a bad ass kind of horse. Kiss possessed the guts that showed in a race.
Hey, Amber, I was wondering...are we retiring Kiss and Fire after this year? The question had actually been sitting on Krystal's mind for a while. The two mares weren't very successful racehorses, and Amber may have felt eager to get some foals out of them. But Amber's response was immediate, premeditated. I think we'll let the horses decide that. Krystal grinned at the response. It was what she liked to hear. Aye aye captain. The two women once again lapsed into companionable silence. They had been cantering for a while now and their horses were lightly sweating. They finally turned a bend in the trail and arrived back at their original starting point. They had probably ridden a five mile loop.
The trial for Ms. Andrews is tomorrow at five am. Don't be late! Amber's parting words left Krystal with a feeling of excitement. She couldn't wait to see what the new jockey was made of.
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