Post by Millie Daveys on May 20, 2009 11:50:09 GMT -5
Old Spice ridden by Rosie Wilson
[/b]The handsome, sophisticated colt stepped out onto the fresh turf track. The sun shone slightly through the overcast clouds and lightened the track. Oz had been doing superb in his last handfull of races, not placing out of the top three once. I petted his muscular chestnut neck softly as we walked to the center of the track. I halted him facing up the track; he pawed at the ground and tossed his head, both playfully and anxiously. There, there boy. We'll be off before you know it. It wasn't long now before the big day, the Breeder's Cup. We would be up against some tough competition, the best of the two year olds, it wouldn't be easy but I had faith. I touched Oz's sides delicatly with my heels and he calmly began walking down the centre of the track. I could tell he placed each hoof with precise precision, and he did just the same when racing. Soon Oz was ready for trot. I shortened the reins in my hands and pushed the humble colt into a neat working trot. His hooves glided smoothly through the air, as if we were hovering on a blanket of air. I rose from the saddle and then sat again to Oz's long strides. We swiftly made our way down the center of the track, in a dead straight line. As we came toward the bend I shifted Oz over to the inner rail. He criss crossed his legs over like a dressage horse, until he made his way to the rail. Oz was warmed up, so I decided he was ready to canter. We exited the turn; I sat, half halted and then pushed Oz into a great canter. His strides flowed like water. They were long and graceful. Though Oz had great speed, he was extremely careful and precise. The coltline made his way briskly down the straightline. I patted his neck rewardingly. Oz and I were more than ready to have a gallop. I pushed him forwards around the corner. I carefully took the corner thinking about every movement before he did it. Oz was a great ride! He could think about things for himself, rather than you having to do it for him. He could pick his paths and knew when to 'go'. I gave off a squeeze. He propelled into a gallop, pushing off his haunches. I stood in the stirrups as we moved around the track. Oz kept at the same speed, behaving well he did not try to quicken his speed. As Oz did in his walk, he placed each hoove with precise precision. My foot must have been inches away from the rail, yet it was like Oz knew that I was not going to touch it. I trusted him enough to leave him where he was, and not make him move further away. We passed two furlongs. Oz was still maintaining his correct speed. I allowed Oz to speed up and stretch his muscular neck forward as we acended up a slope. His dainty, yet powerful legs launched him up the turf hill. As we aproached the summit and proceeded to the straight I steadied Oz's speed again. We continued down the track. I rested my hands delicatly on Oz's neck. Because his head was bobbing slightly, I did so too. I rocked with his motion as we sped around the course. We reached the four furlong mark- only three furlongs were left. I allowed Oz to reach forward a little more and quicken his speed. He immediatly took the rein and sped up. I stood as motienless as I could in the stirrups, so as Oz could gallop around undisturbed by my movement. The chestnut colt swiftly took the corner. He did not slow his speed, if anything he increased it. However my foot stayed where it was- inches away from the rail. It was incredible how much thought Oz put into his racing style, and anything really. The work was nearly over, we had one and a half furlongs left. I pushed Oz forward and crouched low in the saddle. Moving with Oz as he launched forward. Oz's speed incredibly increased! I tapped his hind quarter with my crop; he immediatly continued to an even quicker gallop. I pushed him on, moving with him, all the way to the finish line. Oz did superb! By far our best work! I knew he was in tip-top form, for probably his biggest race so far. The Breeder's Cup not too far away now. I stood again in the stirrups, as I had done earlier when I was warming him up, however this time to cool him down. I allowed him to gallop softly for another 1/4 of a furlong; his hooves lifted off the floor, just enough, but not dangerously low. Eventually I pulled back on the reins, bringing Oz to a canter. I sat to his strides for about another furlong. Then brought him to a trot. I rose and sat again for his beats for quite some time, making sure to give him a good cool down. Finally I allowed Oz to walk, I let him have a long rein and he took it. I walked Oz calmly around the track for quite a long time. Making sure that he was cooled down well, I didn't want anything getting in the way of our chances of winning at the race. I brought Oz to halt. Well done boy! You were great, your ready now, I know you are. I crouched low to Oz's neck, whispering in his ear, with my arms around his neck. I stayed there for a moment, then took my feet out of the stirrups and dismounted my mount. Come one lad. Lets go give you something to eat and a nice bath. Eh? I smiled to Oz as I led him off the track and back to his stall. I was extremely pleased with his past few races, and especially his performance today. I knew he was ready![/center][/size]