Post by whisper on Nov 15, 2012 19:22:12 GMT -5
She agreed upon three warm-up jockeys to help her train. Still new and fresh to the racing world, she figured training all of her thoroughbreds together would kill two birds with one stone. Shoving her feet into knee-high riding boots, Caroline bounded out the door and down to the barns. The cool outside was left behind once she entered the warm, horse heated barn. One of the jockeys, a young lad of about 18, was already saddling up one of the four horses. Chatterbox; a feisty and strong-willed colt who doesn't yet know that the jockey is the one whose supposed to be in control.
"Good morning, Atticus." Caroline greeted.
"Same here, miss." He responded.
Walking over to the next stall, Caroline peeks into it; eying a young filly with a purple roan pelt. Rightly named Barbie Girl, because her personality; whining and complaining when she isn't cleaned daily and having a classy walk; thinking she's above everyone else. Caroline mumbles a greeting to the equine and opens the stall. Leading Barbie Girl to the walk way, clipping her halter to a lead line; patiently waiting to be groomed. Footsteps echo through the barn and Caroline looks up. He speaks first.
"Top of the 'morn, to you Miss Caroline." Aaron says in a produced British accent.
"Good morning, Govena'!" Caroline imitates in a British accent; badly, blushing as she watches him walk by. With short brown hair, high cheek bones, and a smile that kills, Caroline, to her dismay, has fallen. Hard.
"I'm working Secret Stealer again, right?" He asks.
Caroline nods and Aaron walks a ways down the corridor and removes the colt of question of of his box. Secret Stealer is such a sweat heart. He won't pester you and somehow always, in his own special language, asks to do things; like walk faster or pass a horse on the track. Looking at her watch, Caroline takes note of the always late Brutus. An older fellow who has different thinking when it comes to thoroughbreds with enough wrinkles to tell a novel.
By the time Chatterbox, Barbie Girl, and Secret Stealer are fully tacked, Brutus enters the barn silently. With out words, he soundlessly grooms Sweeping Sunrise, at a very rapid pace, but still doing thorough work. Sweeping Sunrise is a hard-working filly who doesn't take no for an answer and wants her way, or the highway. The quartet leads their charges to the track together and waits for instruction from the wise Brutus.
Brutus leads Sweeping Sunrise to the front and addresses the group. "I'll take Sunrise 'round fo' a quick eight furlongs, Caroline, take Barbie fo'... Ah... Let' see... Let's do 'bout ten furlongs today. Aaron, take Secret Stealer fo' a short seven furlongs, Atticus, run Chatterbox fo' a good nine furlongs fo' now. Everyone good? 'Right? Mount up 'fellas... 'nd Caroline." He grunts.
All of the jockey size humans mount their charges and line up beside the track; waiting their turn. Chatterbox and Sweeping Sunrise are impatiently stomping their foot; anxious. Brutus urges Sunrise to move onward and she does. Eating the ground with every stride and grasp of the turf beneath her hooves. Sunrise reluctantly slows and leaves through the other exit on the opposite side of the track. Caroline signals for Barbie to run and she does; doing what thoroughbreds do best. Balancing on a thin strip of leather, Caroline focuses on many things: not falling off, keeping Barbie running in a straight line, and not falling off. Flying over six furlongs, Caroline's muscles are burning. Just a little farther. She thinks. In the blink of an eye, Barbie has run her distance; the little jockey on Barbie Girl's back slows her to a walk. Hoof beats in the distance start slow, then rapidly quicken. Caroline hops off her seat on Barbie and leads her to the barns; the distance enough for a cool down. She mumbles a praise to Barbie and the horse nickers in response.
Returning to the barn, Brutus is whittling while Sunrise is groomed, fed, and watered when Caroline gets there. She does the same with Barbie and sits down beside Brutus, and watches Aaron bring in Secret; following the same procedure. Atticus follows not long after.
"Report?" Brutus grumbles when all four of us are sitting.
"Barbie did well." Caroline explains.
"Stealer got off to a slow start but eventually got there." Aaron discusses.
"Very well, that Chatterbox." Atticus replies.
"Eh, Sunrise could 'prove but fo' a two year ol' she's on 'er way." Grunts Brutus.
"Well, you're all dismissed." Caroline ends with.
They all get up and go their separate ways for the day, except Brutus, who continues whittling.