the beginning

[Snowflake]

the beginning
of their lives on the track.

Marissa Star on Vindictive Fury, Sarah Star on Bank On Greatness, and Vicky Wilson on Royal Perfection.

Marissa's Point of View

I woke with a start, quickly coming to my senses. Today was the day! I threw on yesterday's riding clothes and bolted down the stairs, eating a hurried breakfast before racing outside. Today was the day we would see what Vindictive Fury, Bank On Greatness and Royal Perfection had. We'd been training them for a couple of months now. They'd been worked individually and together, and all three were doing really well. Today would be the test; who was ready to race?

Hi Vinny, my baby girl. I said brightly, stopping outside the filly's stall. She nickered quietly, coming to the door and lowering her head so I could pet her nose. It was obviously one of those rare moments when she was perfectly quiet; obviously thinking about something. What's on your mind, beastie? I asked, grinning a little. Suddenly Vinny stamped a hoof and rolled her upper lip, pulling her head up and taking a step back. Fine. I pouted. But you know we're racing Billy and Peaches today, right? I added, suppressing another grin. She bobbed her head a little, snorting. You do? Oh, wow, I didn't realise I spoke horse. I replied, laughing.

I went to get her grooming kit and tack, loving how she was waiting for me impatiently when I came back. I put her in cross ties then began to groom her, beginning with her hooves. They were reasonably clean, with just a bit of manure and straw in the near hind. Vinny was funny about her back hooves; she was always a little touchy when they were picked out, even more so when they were trimmed and shod. Then I started on her body, going from her neck to her hindquarters.

It wasn't long before we were ready to go; only about five minutes. I unhooked Vinny from the cross ties, and she skittered sideways like she always did. You're getting predictable, Vinny. I told her as we exited the barn. At least when I'm on the ground! I added silently. She'd managed to toss me nearly everytime I'd ridden her, but she was getting better behaved - slowly.

I mounted up using the mounting block, waiting till Vinny got bored of dancing around before I vaulted on. She gave a little snort and took off at a bouncy trot, straight for the dirt track. No. I said firmly, tightening the reins and leaning back a little. Vinny snorted in annoyance, then gave a half buck, not even unseating me. I smirked. I'd won the first little argument of this morning.

The thing that was great about our two year olds this year was that they were so far pretty versatile. All three loved the dirt and turf equally. So far, we hadn't really discovered their distance preferences. I frowned, looking back up towards the stables. Where was Vicky, Peaches, Sarah and Billy? They were late. I urged Vinny to trot again, warming her up while we waited for our opponents. I could see our four horse practice starting gate off in the distance; I guessed that James had set it up earlier.

Finally, I heard approaching hoofbeats, and a shrill whinny from Vinny. Then came the two replies. I turned the filly around to meet them. You're late. I said, in a curious voice. Sarah smiled, but it wasn't apologetic. Yeah. Deabuelle just foaled. She replied. I gaped at her, open mouthed. Couldn't you have told me? I didn't even know she was in labor. I loved to witness the births. Deabuelle was one of my favourite mares! I used to be her jockey, before she was injured and retired to breeding.

Sorry, Marissa. She replied, now apologetic. But she didn't say anything else. Right.. I thought, clucking to Vinny and squeezing her sides to get her trotting again. She tossed her head, unwilling to leave her friends, and stood still. Vicky, who hadn't said anything till now, said Here, and got Royal Perfection moving. That woke Vinny up, and suddenly she was her rambunctious self again. She launched into canter and bucked twice, nearly unseating me. Grrr. I growled, pulling her head up and tightening the reins. Grudgingly, she came back to trot, and I steered her away from the other two to continue our warm up on the way to the gates.

I looked up a few minutes later, when we had begun cantering, to see that James was waiting at the gates, a stopwatch in hand. As we drew closer, he called out to us with the instructions for our mock race. Marissa, I want you and Vinny to go right to the front and try to stay there. He turned to Sarah. Sarah, you and Billy need to run at Vinny's flank, then try to take over them and stay in the lead. Finally, he turned to Vicky, who bit her lip a little. She'd been involved with the training of two year olds before, but not ones that were so valueable. I could tell she was a little apprehensive. Vicky, you and Peaches should pressure them from behind, then try and outrun them in the stretch. Six furlongs.

I nodded. So it was basically a race; we were all going for the win. I steered Vinny towards the gate, wondering whether James was going to assign us positions or if we'd just go in wherever. Like he'd read my mind, James suddenly called out, Oh! Royal Perfection in gate one, Bank On Greatness gate two, and Vindictive Fury in gate three.

Okay, I replied. Yep, said Sarah. Sure, Vicky answered, all at the same time. We looked at each other and laughed, eached urging our mounts to their assigned gates. Vinny baulked at it the first time, turning away from it, a wild look in her eye. Like her dam, Vinny had a strong dislike for the gate, and liked to show it. I managed to coax her in on the third try, talking to her in a soothing voice. It's okay, Vinny, we'll be out of it in a snap.

Ready? James called. He was taking the starter position today, as our usual employee, Ross, was sick. We all called out 'yes' in reply. I crouched, anticipating the sudden start. Vinny was nervous, quivering a little and moving her feet. Then the gates flew open, and we were off! I felt Vinny accelerate quickly, and urged her on into the lead. We cut in front of the other two, taking the rail position. I rated Vinny now, but it wasn't easy. She was very much like Fury in a lot of ways; the only difference was that we had already known each other for two years, whereas I'd just met Fury at two years old. Vinny and I had bonded; but it was a love-hate relationship which she frequently demonstated.

Bank On Greatness was on Vinny's flank, as James had said, and I could tell it annoyed her. She apparently liked to be well ahead by one or two lengths. Royal Perfection was bringing up the rear, but not putting pressure on us like she was supposed to. She was in fact ignoring Vicky, and running at a leisurely pace about a half length back, looking thoroughly contented. I fought the urge to laugh, and returned my attention to Vinny.

We were about halfway through now; it was time to start thinking about the stretch. I checked the distance marker - two and a half furlongs left. Wow, these babies were fast. I glanced back again. Royal Perfection was gaining rapidly now, coming up on the outside. She was responding well to Vicky's urging. With a shock, I realised Bank On Greatness was starting to move up, and began to urge Vinny on. She was already a step ahead of me, having realised that her stable mates were getting ahead.

She was pouring on the speed now, going from a fast but comfortable pace, to a blistering sprint down the straight. The other two were doing the same, going full out. No one was getting ahead; and the wire loomed. It was going to be extremely close! Come on, babe! I urged, and I knew the other girls were doing the same. Then it was over - too close to tell. We'd all been neck and neck. All three of us, as we slowed our horses down (they didn't want to slow down!), punched our fists into the air and cried Yes! in unision.

When we had come back down to trot, and circled back to meet James, he was looking astounded. He shook his head, grinning broadly. I couldn't pick a winner. Then he held up the stopwatch and read out the time. We all gasped in excitement. It was an excellent time! I think we've got some future champions on our hands. Sarah said, grinning. Oh, state the obvious! I said, and laughed. Vicky was grinning widely too, but she was quiet.

We rode off the track, then walked the horses back up the long dirt lane to the stables. I took Vinny back to her stall and groomed her thoroughly, noticing that for once she didn't act out at all. Good girl. I said, smiling. I can't wait to ride you in a race.

[finished]