A whole lotta hell (Open)

[Admin Maria]

[bg=black][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true] Lee & Animal Kingdom, Ricky & Switch, Chad & Platinum Dream, Scott & In Da Dog House, Trevor & Tuarwen It was early in the morning when Lee rolled out of bed, stretching as she crossed the yard between the house and the barn. Already she was dressed and the sun wasn’t even up yet, the only light was that of the posts dotting the yard and the one coming from the barn. She knew her staff was waiting for her in the barn with the yearlings. Yawning she stepped into the bright barn to see the five yearlings groomed and tacked. Morning Lee. they all greeted her causing her to offer a soft smile. Morning guys. Some might have found it odd that her staff was all men, but she didn’t. Ricky handed her the reins to Animal, her gorgeous liver chestnut sabino colt. Hey handsome. She murmured as her hand stroked the colts snout. Aww, I never knew you felt that way. Cooed Ricky causing Lee to blush. I meant the colt, Jerk. This caused the other guys to chuckle. Shut up. Lee grumbled as she swung up onto the colts back, gathering the reins in her hands. She spotted Mike leaning against the wall with a fond smile on his face, and glanced around to see who was riding whom. Ricky mounted up on Susie, the rather bitchy filly of the group. Chad mounted up on Patti, the gorgeous Sesame filly. Scott was saddled with Witch and finally the newest guy Trevor had Tuar. Alright, this is just gonna be a breeze for their first work out. We don’t wanna push them too hard and break them. Ricky make sure you keep a tight hold on Susie, as she seems to get ornery when it comes to being ridden. Trevor, you keep close to Lee and don’t use that crop on that filly..matter fact give me it. Mike ordered as he walked over and grabbed the newest riders crop, snapping it. Lee scowled at him We don’t use crops on our horses. Mike nodded I’ll be watching from the rail. Move out. Lee nudged Animal into a trot, leading the other four out of the barn and down the short walk to the track. As the entered the track she slowed Animal to walk beside ricky and susie. Should be interesting. Ricky snorted That’s putting it lightly.

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[symphony]

Selena Hassen and Hellion Heiress, Darren Montejano and Ash and Fire, Amy Hastings and Eastern Elements, Jay Whitten and Alphabet Falls

Selena arrived bright and early that morning, excited for what she knew they would be doing today. For weeks now, she had spent hours at King's Park helping break the yearlings to saddle and build up their fitness, and finally Tally had decided to take them out onto the track for their first workout. The yearlings had been split into two groups; a group of four and then a group of three, and Selena had rides in both of them before proper workouts even started.

No matter how early she arrived though, she could not beat Tally and Darren to the stables and by the time she entered the yard, Tally was headed down to the track with Cal and Ella. "Selena, go and get Connor," Tally instructed as she wrestled with a dancing Cal. "Amy, can you take Ella here? Cal doesn't want to co-operate this morning." Selena glanced behind her to see Amy take Ella's lead from Tally and the trainer give Cal's lead a firm tug, asking the filly to listen. As the other two departed, Selena hurried to get Connor and follow them. The sabino colt was having a good day, it seemed, following obediently all the way to the track and dozing in the crossties as Selena helped the others tack up the yearlings. The track was quiet this early, only just opening to the public, and most stables were still getting ready for the morning's training, making it a good time to take out the yearlings. No traffic on the track, and very few reporters to bother the youngsters.

Leading Badger out into the open, Selena got a leg-up from Tally and turned the dunskin in small circles, calming her down a little as the others mounted up. "Just a light workout today, you lot," she instructed eyeing each of them in turn. "If they aren't up to the work, then just ease them off the pace and take them for a nice canter or something. I don't want them injured before their careers even begin." The four riders nodded and satisfied, their trainer departed, headed for her usual spot by the rail where she would be able to observe the entire workout. Selena turned Badger after the others; Darren on the smokey-coloured Smash, Amy on their appaloosa filly Spots, and Jay with pretty little Blue. All four yearlings calmed down a little on their way out to the track, allowing Selena to look around a little as she spotted another large group of yearlings - Ferndale Farms, she realised. That was a surprise; she had not known Ferndale had so many yearlings. After initial success, the stable had gone rather quiet for a time, though it seemed they were on a comeback with the reign of Magneta, the current undefeated queen of the turf. It seemed there were going to be quite a few yearlings working out this morning.

[Admin Maria]

[bg=black][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true] Lee & Animal Kingdom, Ricky & Switch, Chad & Platinum Dream, Scott & In Da Dog House, Trevor & Tuarwen The group had barely entered the track when Susie snorted, tossing her head and dancing off to the side as she fought Ricky for her head. Lee glanced behind her - past Trevor - to see another, slightly smaller group enter the track. She recognized the jockies as those that worked for Kings Park, and offered them a small nod. Stay here guys. She ordered everyone else, waiting until Ricky got the sesame filly under control before nudging Animal for a trot, approaching the group. She knew some owners would be shady, hiding their future prospects from the prying eyes of competition. She however wanted them to see the future racers, wanted them to know the horses faces in a crowd. She knew it’d take time and great horses for her to earn back Ferndales rep, something that only still clung to life thanks to Die and Holly. As she thought this she smirked, for she couldn’t wait till Will hit the track. The offspring of the two greatest in Ferndales barn, was sure to be hell for everyone on the track. Hey Selena, guys. She nodded towards each of the group. I see Badgers grown up well. Lee commented, eyes scanning over the filly she viewed as the biggest threat…through her lineage. If her half siblings were anything to go by. So what y’all working em out today? We’re just breezing ours…first trip out and all. Susie there is ornery and Mike doesn’t wanna risk anyone. She chuckled. As if on cue Susie began to fight again, doing little half rears as Ricky grew annoyed, forcing the filly to circle around at a trot. Chad couldn’t help but glance over at the group, raising a brow at the other jockeys. He didn’t know their names, and the only one even slightly familiar was the one Lee was speaking to. Who are they? Chad whispered to Ricky, causing the senior jockey to glance over once he had Susie settled. Well Lee is talking to Selena, Amy is the one on the appaloosa patterned filly. Darren is riding the one on the silver black colt, and Jay is riding the blue roan. They’re Kings Park jockies. Selena is the one most know for Kings park. Darren is the assistant trainer too. Ricky replied with a shrug, nudging Susie towards the group. Hey Darren, Selena. He nodded towards the others as he came to a halt beside Lee.

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[flatcreek]

Sarah & The Wild Life, Josh & Accipiter, Sam & Unsung Hero, Austin & Touch The Sky

Sarah led the way into the barn in a hurry with the rest of the Flat Creek riders following her. Josh and some grooms were holding Wild, Hawk, Hero, and Kiki. It was going to be their first work, so it was a very important day for the youngsters and the barn. Sarah nodded to Josh as she head over to Wild, her filly that was a daughter of Fritzy and Devil's Food. If half siblings said anything, Wild had tons of potential.

She followed John out of the barn, leading Wild. Behing her came the rest of the crew. John stopped and turned around, ready to talk to everyone. "Alright guys, today's the day." He started, running a hand over Wild's nose. "Go easy on them, this is just their first work. If they don't feel ready, don't push them. Let me know if they aren't ready, I'll be along the rail like usual." He nodded towards Sarah and walked away. Sarah hopped up onto Wild, then checked to make sure that the others had gotten up alright. She then led the way towards the track.

As the group approached, Sarah noticed several yearlings standing in groups. She scanned the faces of the people and reconized several of them. In the center group, she saw Selena from King's Park talking with Lee and Ricky from Ferndale. She turned to her own group. "Wait here. I'm gonna find out what's going on." Sarah nudged Wild over to the smallest group. She nodded to the three other riders. "Hi, Selena, Lee, Ricky." She had approached in time to hear Lee comment on what they were doing. "Seem's like there's quite a few of us out here today." She nodded towards her group, who were talking to each other. "We're working ours for the first time, too."

[symphony]

Selena Hassen and Hellion Heiress, Darren Montejano and Ash and Fire, Amy Hastings and Eastern Elements, Jay Whitten and Alphabet Falls

Selena noticed Lee and Ricky parted from the group of Ferndale yearlings to join the King's Park group just as Blue squealed loudly and skittered away down the track, Jay working hard to calm her down. Darren was having a hard time of it too, riding the prancing and over-energized Smash, who was impatient to get going and had probably surprised Blue in some way. The blue roan filly had been confirmed to be almost half deaf already, a trait she had inherited from her mother, and it would only get worse; meaning that almost anything around her could scare her and you had to be careful around her if you didn't want to be kicked. Though Blue getting a scare right before their first workout was not really a laughing matter, Selena couldn't stop the smirk that spreaded over her face at the sight of Jay struggling to control the filly as she crow-hopped and fought him; they had decided that it was her rider's job to look out for surprises when it came to exercising Blue, and already Jay had messed up.

Selena turned her attention to Lee and Ricky as they came to a stop a little way away. She could see them looking over the King's Park yearlings, copying the actions of Amy, who was looking almost relaxed atop of Spots despite the appaloosa's attempts to sidle over to cuddle up to Badger. "Morning," Selena replied to Lee's friendly greeting, Amy following her lead and Darren raising a hand to acknowledge their presence as he firmly reminded Smash who was in charge. "Ours are just breezing as well, Tally doesn't want to push them too hard for their first proper workout."

She glanced over at the entrance to the track just in time to see several older horses come onto the track from other, smaller stables, following another group of yearlings; this time, she recognised, from Flat Creek. One of the riders from this new lot of yearlings - Sarah, Selena realised - headed over to join the gathering, and Amy gave in to Spots, letting the filly wander over to stand next to Badger and join their little gathering. The appaloosa and Selena's dunskin touched noses for a moment, and Spots shifted just a little closer, until the toe of Selena's boot was pressing against her glossy coat.

"Morning Sarah," Amy replied for both of them, trying to nudge Spots sideways a little to get her away from Badger, though the filly wouldn't budge. She was very clingy, Amy knew; there would be no detaching her from Badger until they started the workout now. They could only hope that Spots would forget about buddying up with someone once she started running and the competitive spirit needed for racing kicked in.

[Admin Maria]

[bg=black][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true] Lee & Animal Kingdom, Ricky & Switch, Chad & Platinum Dream, Scott & In Da Dog House, Trevor & Tuarwen Ricky blinked when the blue roan filly spooked, fighting with her jockey and causing Susie to snort and toss her head. Easy girl. He murmured to her, pulling back on the reins just slightly as his gaze shifted towards the track entrance where older horses were moving in and out. Yet another group of yearlings entered, and Ricky nudged Lee as one began to approach. Flat Creek it seemed hadn’t missed the last breeding season as their group of yearlings was around the same size as the other two. When Amy spoke, Lee and Ricky simply offered the jockey - Sarah - a nod in greeting. Lee then turned back to Selena since it seemed both groups would be doing the same thing. Wanna work em out together? Give em a chance to get to know each other since I’m sure some will be facing off on the track quite often. Beneath her Animal shifted as if eager to get this work out started. Hey Sarah. Ricky finally muttered, before he bit back a groan when Chad approached the group. What’s taking so long? It aint social hour ya know. Horses need to be worked. He snapped at Ricky, before glancing towards Lee. Lee scowled and turned back to Chad. Chad, Your attitude is really grating. Go back to the other two and wait, or hell even start breezing them if you’re so impatient. Ricky snickered beneath his breath, ignore the way Lee rolled her eyes at his clear amusement to Chad being chewed out in front of jockies from all the other major stables. Turning to Sarah, Lee offered a smile and head shake. Breezing yours or actual work out? If you’re just breezing, we could all run em together. Chad glared at the groups, his glare lingering on Ricky before he jerked Patti back around and headed back to where Trevor and Scott were waiting.

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[flatcreek]

Sarah & The Wild Life, Josh & Accipiter, Sam & Unsung Hero, Austin & Touch The Sky

Sarah tightened her grip on Wild when the filly saw all of the other yearlings fussing around. She glanced back to see that Hawk was doing about the same as Wild, which wasn't suprising. Thankfully the riders got their yearlings under control fairly quickly. She gave Wild a pat on the neck, then listened to the other riders.

She had to smile when she saw the little appaloosa filly come alongside Selena's filly. She nodded to Amy as she watched them try to seperate the two yearling fillies. "Buddys, huh?" she commented. Just then, a rider approached from the Ferndale group and she saw Ricky bite back a groan. Just then, Wild started to shift her weight, so Sarah walked her in a small circle, just managing to hear Lee's reply.

Sarah nodded as Lee spoke. "Breezing, too." She glanced back towards John, who was talking with Tally and Mike, probably about the yearlings or foals. "That'd be great." She did a quick head count. "There's thirteen of us here, how do we want to do it?" Dealing with an odd number of horses for a work was always difficult, but it was even worse with yearlings, since you never knew what they'd do. "Three sets of three and two sets of two would work, since we don't want huge groups."

[symphony]

Selena Hassen and Hellion Heiress, Darren Montejano and Ash and Fire, Amy Hastings and Eastern Elements, Jay Whitten and Alphabet Falls

Amy saw Darren coming up beside her as another of the Ferndale jockeys came up, apparently less than happy with the delay. She didn't think too highly of him. The delay was necessary, really; no one wanted thirteen yearlings out breezing all at the same time without a bit of communication between groups. Who knew what would happen then.

"Sounds just about perfect, Sarah," Darren chipped in, giving Smash a light half-halt as the colt got a little too adventurous and decided he was about ready to take off. Darren was not having a bar of it this morning.

"Are we working from the gates?" Selena asked. She knew that the King's Park yearlings had been desensitised to the gate already, though their breaks were still pretty rough. Badger had taken to it very quickly, though Smash still hated standing in there and always seemed to try breaking faster than he currently could.

[Admin Maria]

[bg=black][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true] Lee & Animal Kingdom, Ricky & Switch, Chad & Platinum Dream, Scott & In Da Dog House, Trevor & Tuarwen When Sarah suggested they do the runs in groups of threes and twos she nodded. Sound like a plan Ricky agreed in her place, causing Lee to roll her eyes. When they asked if it was going to be a work out from the gates or not, Ricky turned towards Lee. Pondering this Lee mentally went over the list of horses they’d brought out, and how they’d done in the gates. Gates? A sort of refresher course before they start racing next year. Most of Ferndales yearlings had done fine, however Susie was still a bit antsy in the gates and Patti still fought before going in. Animal shifted beneath her with a low snort ripping from vocals, obviously bored with this conversation and standing still. Lee gently pulled back on the reins, ordering him to back a step. Grudgingly the young colt obeyed. So whos all going first? Lee voiced the question she was sure everyone was pondering. With thirteen of them there, there would need to be an order to the groups right? Ricky glanced back at the three remaining jockies from Ferndale and summoned them over with a wave. At lees look he shrugged What, they deserve to know whats going on. However Chad - still annoyed - pushed Patti into a canter and headed straight for Ricky, causing Susie to spook when the sesame filly bumped into her. Lee glared Keep it up Chad, and it’ll be your job. Ricky circled Susie around, calming the filly with soft words before halting beside Lee once more. Over at the rail Mikes eyes narrowed and his fists clenched.

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[flatcreek]

Sarah & The Wild Life, Josh & Accipiter, Sam & Unsung Hero, Austin & Touch The Sky

Sarah looked back at her group as the others agreed with her plan. She waved Austin over. Kiki, his filly, was standing quietly, but walked over quickly when Austin cued her. She quickly to him the plan, before turning back to the group. "That's fine with us," she replied, refering to the gates. The yearlings were all okay with them, Wild didn't stand real still yet, but would get there, and Hawk would throw a fit going in.

Wild tossed her head, so Sarah walked her in another circle, leaving Austin to handle the group. He listend as Lee asked who was going first. He thought about it, looking at the other three Flat Creek yearlings. Josh was walking Hawk in circles, as was Sarah with Wild. The two fillies should probably go in the first couple of sets. Kiki and Hero would be fine waiting for a later set. "Hawk and Wild will probably go in the first couple of sets, since they don't wait." He nodded at the two fillies. "Our other two don't care, but it might be better if Sam went isnone of the twos, since she's less experinced."

Austin watched as one of the Ferndale riders, the one that had come up while Sarah was talking earlier, cantered his filly into Ricky's filly. His eyes narrowed. A rider that put two horses at risk just because he didn't like another rider shouldn't be riding. "Well, are we ready?" he asked after everyone had answered Lee's question.

[symphony]

Selena Hassen and Hellion Heiress, Darren Montejano and Ash and Fire, Amy Hastings and Eastern Elements, Jay Whitten and Alphabet Falls

Jay pulled up near Selena just as the annoying rider from before returned, cantering right into another horse. It was then that she decided she didn't much like this new Ferndale worker, and she would be keeping a close eye on him. She didn't know what she would do if something happened to Badger before she even began racing.

"Jay can go first with Blue," Darren decided, glacing at Jay to check that this was alright. Jay just nodded, giving Blue a pat and picking out his possible opponents from the crowd.

"Smash had better go next, Darren," Amy chipped in before Darren could speak again. "Badger can go after you and I'll go last, seeing as Spots doesn't seem to be in too much of a hurry to run." Darren considered it for a moment before nodding; it was a good order.

Amy glanced towards Austin. "Selena and Sam would be a good pairing, I think." Both were newer riders, but she was confident in Selena's ability to keep a hold on Badger, who the girl completely adored, and Sam had definitely improved since their first encounter on the track - though Amy was still a little skeptical.

[Admin Maria]

[bg=black][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true] Lee & Animal Kingdom, Ricky & Switch, Chad & Platinum Dream, Scott & In Da Dog House, Trevor & Tuarwen Chad pulled Patti back, glaring at Ricky as he simply circled Susie around to get her settled down. He knew that Selena was watching him, and raised a brow at her before mumbling a Yes Lee. Lee however was glancing at Mike, who looked ready to strangle their newest jockey. If it weren’t for the odd numbers she’d send Chad back and work Patti alone later. However as she thought this over in her head, Mike seemed to make the decision. Chad, get over here. Your off the track until further notice, someone else can work Patti later. Chad glowered at this, before nudging the sesame filly into a trot and heading for the gate. Shaking her head Lee offered everyone apologetic looks. Sorry about him, but it will be a safer work out without him here being a jerk. Groups of three? She didn’t want to change the arrangement but knew Mike made the right call. Last thing they needed was for the young horses to be injured due to Chad. I call second group. Ricky murmured, shrugging as Lee glanced at him. I’ll take the last group. Scott you can be in the first group and Trevor in the third? Animal shifted beneath her, not in a real big hurry to run and rather enjoying just chillin in the new place.

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[flatcreek]

Sarah & The Wild Life, Josh & Accipiter, Sam & Unsung Hero, Austin & Touch The Sky

Sarah was close enough to the group in her circle so that she could hear everything going on. Wild had skittered around when the stupid Ferndale rider had run his filly into Ricky's filly. Now that she had calmed down, Sarah rode her back to the group. Just as she returned, she heard the Ferndale trainer, Mike, call out to the reckless rider and remove him from the track.

"It's not a problem," she said to Lee. "If he's going to put horses in danger, then I really don't want to be on the track with him. No offense, meant, of course." She looked over at Austin, then back at Josh and Sam. "I'll go in the first and Josh can go in the second. Hawk's a little less hyper than this one." She thought for a moment. The Ferndale horse that was going in the third set seemed fairly calm. "Sam can go in the third, if that's okay, and Austin, you can go in the last." She looked over at the other stables. "Is that good for everyone?"

Sarah sent Austin over to Josh and Sam, to tell them the order, then move out of the way of the horses that would be working first. Once all the plans were in place, Sarah started jogging Wild over towards the gates. She looked back, then, seeing the other two close behind, moved Wild into a slow canter to warm her muscles up a little more. As she neared the gates, she slowed the filly to a walk and waited for the other two riders. "Who wants to load first?" she asked.

[symphony]

Selena Hassen and Hellion Heiress, Darren Montejano and Ash and Fire, Amy Hastings and Eastern Elements, Jay Whitten and Alphabet Falls

Jay listened quietly to the other stable's discussions, for once not having much to say. He was quite happy with being the first to go, and so was Blue it seemed as the group broke up and he turned the filly to follow the others down the track. She lurched forward in a bunny-hop move as he nudged her into a trot, wanting to just run and well tired of standing around waiting, and he was forced to tighten his reins slightly to pull her back to a respectable pace. She was determined on fighting him though, all the way to the gates.

"I think we'll go last," he said in reply to the Flat Creek jockey, turning Blue in a large circle as she fussed and complained. "Blue loads fine, but I don't know how long she'll last standing around in those gates."