turn up the heat

[Millie Daveys]

THIS MEANS WAR RIDDEN BY MILLIE DAVEYS

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The bay colt stepped onto the dirt track. Millie would be riding him today, as she always did, and as she would be in his upcoming race; Turn Up The Heat Stakes. Ans' most recent race had ended well, with a win, and Millie was just hoping that he would be able to keep up his good streak. He had the talent, he just needed the opportunity! He made his way briskly down the dirt splattered rail of the track, listening intently to Millie's every demand. Today they would be doing some gate practice. Ans needed to be out of the gates quickly in his upcoming race against the tough and, in Millie's opinion, close competition. After five or so minutes walking down the track in either direction Millie asked Ans for a trot. He immediately leapt forwards willingly into a forward going, quick, yet controlled trot. He had an amazingly long stride, probably because of his great height and his long legs which came with that, which was sure to be of use when it came to race day. As they completed a furlong and a half of trot Millie urged Ans into a calm and collected canter, to start with. He struggled forwards to begin but as Millie asked him to slow and she relaxed her hands Ans calmed to a lovely canter. He had a naturally lovely head carriage, and if he wasn’t a racer he would sure have the paces to become a dressage horse, just maybe not the attitude. Ans contently made his way around the inner rail of the track. As they approached the straight Millie allowed Ans to reach out with those long elegant legs of his a little more and quickened his pace. His ears were pricked forwards. He was very alert of his surroundings and the other horses on the track working out, however they did not distract him from his own running and he concentrated fully on what he did best. After completing the long straight in a forward going canter Millie asked for a gallop. She didn’t want to do much with him today so she allowed him to go for a quick blast around the bend and half way up the straight until they met the starting gates. As they did so she slowly pulled Ans back down to a walk. Indey was waiting at the starting gates for them, ready to load them and open the gates for them. Millie asked Ans to enter the gates, without hesitation he did so, it was never something he had a problem with. However, she didn’t want to get slack as the beginning of a race was always vital and was just as important as the end. Ans waited quietly and calmly as the gates were shut. At the noise of them clanking shut Ans began to get a little impatient and stomped his front hoof on the floor. His head shook up and down. Millie calmed him slightly, getting him to focus. He quietened down and Millie counted out loud 3..2..1! She was sure he could tell she was counting down to the gates opening as every time she said 1 she pushed off his back end and leapt powerfully forward, exactly in time with the opening of the gates. Millie knew the gates would be no problem come race day! She allowed Ans to gallop a further furlong, it wouldn’t do any harm, he enjoyed it and no practice could hurt. After that Millie brought him back down to a walk and cooled him off.