solar spirit

[S u N f r O s T ~]

WILDLY NATURAL AND AMBER BLACK
SILLENIA AND KRYSTAL YHATE

WORKOUT FOR THE UNIVERSAL CUP

The dark bay filly pulled at the reins, eyes bright with spirited determination that was hard to control. Today, Sill wanted to run, and she wanted to win. She was working out over the turf, and Krystal thought the filly enjoyed it more than the dirt, even though she ran excellently on both surfaces. Tura, on the other hand, was a straight turf horse. Krystal watched as the deep black filly came towards them across the green turf. She looked powerful and ready to go, eyes alighting with competitive fire upon seeing Sill. Yet, she displayed a playful countenance; she whinnied at Sill, and stomped her hooves. Amber gently held her back while nodding a hello to Krystal. Krystal nodded back, and attempted to get a feel for Amber's mood. Right now, Krystal could tell Amber was businesslike; she had that look about her that suggested she was stopping at nothing to win today.

By mutual consent, Amber and Krystal smoothly cantered their fillies side by side without so much more than a glance. This was the way of an SOPS workout - quiet and filled with mutual, unsaid understanding. Amber and Krystal had been working together for years. What needed to be said between these two when they had worked together for so long? It was unnecessary to talk, and a waste of effort and time. Thus, the two of them worked together, and in silence completed a half lap of warm up. Then, with a glance and a nod, both leaned forward over their mounts' withers and cued them to gallop. Sill leapt smoothly into the stride, holding slightly back, and Tura did the same. They remained side by side, neither wanting the lead, and so went the first furlong of their five furlong race.

By the second furlong, Sill and Tura were still stride for stride, though Amber had let Tura out a little bit more. Slightly, inch by inch, Tura opened up a one length gap and appeared content to stay there. Sill, on her outside, patiently awaited for her rider's cue while also trusting her own racing instincts. She had raced for one and a half years; she knew what she was doing. Perhaps not as much as a fully seasoned racehorse, but she had an idea, and she knew what worked for her and what didn't. As they started curving around the turn, Krystal let Sill go out a little bit more, and Tura appeared unperturbed as Sill appeared, flickering, in the corner of her vision.

As they rounded into the stretch, it became a true fight to the finish. Sill began to sprint even as Tura did. Side by side, the dark bay and black mares pounded it out on the turf, never letting up an inch. Eventually, however, Tura managed to pull a little away, and by the wire was one length in front of the hard working Sill. As the girls pulled up, Krystal scowling over the loss, Amber called over It must be because of Tura's experience, you know? A noncommittal grunt was her answer, and Amber smirked. Krystal could be so amusing when she was upset. Well, at least she's all mad for the Universal Cup, isn't she? she asked. Krystal responded with another noncommittal grunt, but the competitive gleam that suddenly lit her eyes was all Amber needed to know that she had an answer.