thirditis

[Snowflake]

Posting to Rush Hour's somewhat bouncy trot, I thought hard about what I wanted to achieve with her today. Lately, the coltish filly had been coming in third rather than her usual first and second. It bothered me greatly, because it was for lack of trying - the filly simply thought she was too good to lose. It was always in the final metres that she relinquished her lead, too. Flying Colours made his way arrogantly onto the track, at that moment. He was famous for being Best Sprinter three years in a row, winning the Breeder's Cup Sprint spectacularly in his last race. Now he was retired, and a Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Rush Hour's reaction to his presence was exactly the one I desired. She stopped dead, her head high, her ears pricked and her nostrils flaring. Other than this, she was still. Her eyes followed the stallion's dance. David Perez, or Davo, Fly's rider, grinned and raised a hand in greeting. I grinned back, not taking my hands off the reins in case Rush decided to do something silly. So far, the workout was going according to plan.

Finally Rush seemed to remember herself, and dropped her head slightly, going right back into trot. It was Fly's turn to watch her now. I saw him stiffen slightly at the sight of her - bulging muscles rippling under her skin with that big black frame must have been slightly intimidating. Maybe he was mistaking her for a colt too?