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Post by sam on Oct 2, 2010 20:34:22 GMT -8
Saying that Nut was excited as a huge understatement.
Nut was trembling with joy- kid you not!- and Sam could barely tack her up with her swinging her butt around to look every which way. But somehow, someway, she managed to get that dang saddle on the buckskin's back without getting slammed across the hall by her big butt.
Now how Sam got the bridle on without losing the filly had to be some kind of magic- She's sure of this.
Finally, after much preparation and lots of hard work, they were on the track.
Nutters jigged and danced under Sam, breathing hard and working up a small sweat in her excitement. Sam found it hard to keep her hands relaxed but still hold Nut from letting loose while Nut, herself, was finding it hard not to go bolting off.
Nut, in general, was a good horse. She wanted to do good most of the time. She had a good heart and loved her job. It's just that, her heart was a tad too big. She tried too hard to do her job. So hard, in fact, that it made it difficult to ride her. She was ready for the run well before you were and always seemed three or four steps ahead of her rider, and if the rider didn't know Nut, she took full advantage of it.It took Sam two whole years to get to know Nut before she actually knew her, and even now Sam's still learning things about her crazy buckskin.
Easy babe, Sam cooed, wanting to give her a pat but knowing that if she did such a thing Nut would take full advantage of her hand off the reins and surely be off and galloping in no time. With or without Sam. (She might come back after a week.) We'll try to find someone to ride with us. Maybe even a little race. Sounds good, girl?
Was it sad Sam was half-expecting some kind of response from Nut?
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Post by alexandrea on Oct 3, 2010 8:33:03 GMT -8
oohh! lucy comin here!
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Post by hossluver on Oct 3, 2010 8:49:23 GMT -8
It was a relatively cool morning as Lucy walked the tall, black filly onto the track. She could see her horses breath, like little clouds of smoke puffing out through her nose. Blackbirds ears moved back and fourth, curiously, interested in her surroundings. Perched lightly on top of the black filly, Lucy asked the filly for a trot, and she obliged, head tucked, gliding slowly across the track on this misty fall morning. It was wonderful to get back into a racing saddle once more. The saddle she was in was heavier than most racing saddles, and her stirrups were a little longer than she would use for racing because she was just giving the mare a workout today. Jaimy was giving her a long rein with Blackbird, after the first month of very successful workouts, he figured she could take her out when she pleased, just so long as the filly got a descent workout in.Blackbird tossed her head gently as she trotted, and Lucy could feel her playing with the bit in her mouth. She wasn't like some race horses, she was mellow and pretty sweet tempered. Lucy had never seen her race, but she knew the horse was fast, no doubt about it. However, she was only fast when she wanted to be. If Lucy was taking the horse out for a lone spin, it was hard to get a good gallop out of the filly. However, put her head to head with another horse, and she'll sprout wings.
After a few minutes of trotting, Lucy noticed someone else on the track. A buckskin horse, not far ahead. There were not very many people on the track this morning, it was a lazy Sunday, and many horses had a day off. So, Lucy made her way over to the pair, bored out of her mind, and looking for someone to talk too. The horse, that she soon found out was a filly, was a beautiful buckskin; Lucy had always loved that color. Blackbird didn't really seem to notice the other horse, and seemed rather asleep, despite the other mare's playful jigging. "Hullo," she said casually, keeping a far enough distance so that she was comfortable. "Nice morning for a run, wouldn't you say?" muse; yuesssss....good notes; hehe
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Post by sam on Oct 4, 2010 8:45:53 GMT -8
The filly threw her head and turned her body diagonal, dancing sideways but it proved to not be effective in evading Sam. Nut has always tried to find ways to avoid Sam's commanding aids that forced her to stay at the jig- though it asked for her to slow to a walk but she could ignore that. The filly has always tried to get away from Sam in the warm up but has never succeeded. But like her racing, she was persistent.
Sam caught a glance of the other rider and in her second of distraction, Nut bolted forwards but Sam caught her on the next stride. She'd say! Sam replied with a laugh as she turned the filly towards the other rider, minding the distance.
Despite the break from racing, Sam had kept her in shape with the round pen and liberty runs in the arena. This didn't dull the filly's spirit for the track. If anything, it made her more enthusiastic and excited when she stepped onto the track. Sam supposed she had every right to be.
Want a little race? Eight furlongs sound good? Sam asked, trying to keep her attention on Nut but not ignore the other rider. Eight furlongs was Nut's usual distance in a race, though she's gone shorter and she's gone longer. It just seemed that the distance was her absolute favorite. With the filly given many a title and taking more wins then losses, Sam didn't argue with her.
((She's a horse from a Sim/RP game just so you don't think I'm one of those people that makes their horses the 'absolute best' or anything lol She lost Horse of the Year by one vote XP))
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Post by hossluver on Oct 4, 2010 18:58:59 GMT -8
Lucy was a little startled by the girls race proposal. She had not quite expected to race, but the proposition was tempting. Lucy considered it for a moment. The other horse looked to be about the same size as Blackbird, and she studied her build; muscular but lean, ancy and very good with her feet by the look of it. This was no claimer. But then again, neither was Blackbird. She was a powerfully built filly, and had an even mind, but was a flat out mean competitor. She was a distance horse, born for the mile and up. She was fairly successful at six furlongs, but the mile and up was her best distance.
She pondered the race for a moment, then smiled. She knew Jaimy would love to have Blackbird work with another horse other than Texas, so... "Alright," she said. "I need to warm up first, lets go back to the finish, and canter a bit, then, well, canter, trot, walk up start, whatever you like."
[/color] she said with a grin. In that moment, she felt excitement starting to well up inside. She hadn't raced in some time. Blackbird sensed her excited energy, and the lazy, unresponsive filly's ears perked, she tossed her head, and her trot became more elevated. Lucy turned the filly; they had just passed the two furlong marker, and trotted in the opposite direction, keeping an eye out for other horses. After a moment or two, she picked up a canter; Blackbird allowed herself to stretch out, in preparation for the race that she knew was coming. Once she crossed the finish line, she slowed to a trot, doing wide circles, waiting for the other pair to come up. Oh, this was going to be interesting. muse; good notes; s'all good, sooo, i think we should figure out how the race is going to play out. Just curious as to what u mean by "Horse of the Year'...do you mean THE "horse of the year" as in the one that all those triple crown winners win or something in a game? As far as who wins and who loses, I'm not going to throw a tantrum if my horse losses, but i would prefer if she wasn't "totally destroyed" ![:P](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/tongue.png) She's a good horse, and i luff her, but ur horse seems to be quite the champ herself! This otta be fun!![/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]
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Post by sam on Oct 4, 2010 22:51:38 GMT -8
Sam knew it wasn't exactly sure if it was polite or proper to start out a conversation with a race, but Nut wouldn't allow her on for long if she didn't get rolling. Most of the racers at her old barn had the same mindset of "Race now, talk later." Course this never occurred to Sam until the other jockey and horse accepted the race and was off to warm-up.
Sam nodded in agreement, though the other horse and rider were off already. Alright then, she told Nut as she relaxed the reins. The filly knew this and began her odd prancing trot, that often made people think she was part saddlebred with her knock-out knees and ugly, popped out neck- though Sam swore up and down it was only because she once put her head low at the trot and her knee banged against her nose hard enough that it made her bite her tongue. Though many of the competitors thought she simply had an ugly way of motion and laughed whenever Sam mentioned trying to train her to dressage.
The two had an odd communication. It was completely silent and they did nothing more then listen to each other and give a small and invisible response. Course most horse and rider had this type of bond, but with Sam and Nut, their conversations were often a tad different. For example, if a horse was to accidentally cut Nut off, Nut would pop a stride and flick her ears back asking 'I should be offended by that, right? Or is that just me?' Sam would often smile and tighten the reins a bit, to tell her to just leave it be and the filly grudgingly would. Though every now and then it would be someone Sam had a large distaste for. Then she would give a slight slack on the reins and sat back a bit, giving the mare her freedom. Course this was often just to make the other jockey who had cut her off look bad.
Sam usually gave her racers a longer then usual warm up- at least for a race horse. She believes this is what helped her to keep any of her horses from breaking down on or off the track. She had already been on the track for about fifteen minutes now, trotting some but mostly jigging along. Sam allowed Nut to open up her trot a bit, asking her to extend her stride and catch up with the other pair who were currently trotting a wide circle.
With the only cue being the motion of the canter running through Sam's body, the filly's gait quickly changed. The canter was easy and powerful, her stride large and much more controlled then her odd trot with her knees running rather flat and her head bent around the bit like a normal horse.
With a small shift in the reins, she had Nut turn a ride circle before she got to the other horse and rider. She straightened Nut out on the opposite side of the track, letting her canter a wide and long oval with easing sides as to help keep Nut in balance.
((lol The Horse of the Year as in the best horse in the game for that year (I was little confused by what you said just then XD) But sounds good to me! Sam is determined to make Nut do dressage from here on, she just wanted to let Nut have one last go at the track before it's to the wonderful worlds of bends and frames XP We can make it close- maybe a 1/2 length or 1 length win? Any closer and the jockeys might not be able to tell without a camera lol
Oh and here is her racing stats from the game if you were curious- Linky! I only changed her height a bit and didn't breed her for this game))
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Post by hossluver on Oct 5, 2010 17:29:57 GMT -8
Lucy slowed Blackbird to a walk and watched as the pair came in at a canter, waiting for her to get warmed up as well. The "start" was roughly twenty feet ahead, and Lucy circled for a moment to ready herself. She could feel excitement tingling all the way from the balls of her feet to the tips of her fingers. She always became more alert in races, even if they weren't a real one, they would still be exciting. She could feel every twitch of the bit Blackbird gave, every miniature jig or funny step, feeling for anything that wasn't right or that was.
Blackbird was feeling a little stiff in the hind, but she was rearin' to go, and Lucy didn't think it would be much of a problem. The filly pranced happily, in anticipation of starting, and Lucy looked to her companion. "You ready?" she asked with a grin. She felt like a Christmas tree; she felt like she was practically lit up. It proved what a daredevil she was, as some people didn't like galloping, let along galloping with an inch of leather and short measly irons to stick your feet in. But hey, Lucy considered herself crazy...she wasn't really afraid of much of anything at this point in her life. And if she was going to be a jockey, that was what she had to be...she just had to keep her sense in touch.
muse; okay.... notes; hehehehehe...lol i was thinkin the award given out every year to the best race horses in the country....lol
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Post by sam on Oct 9, 2010 22:48:03 GMT -8
Soon Nut was turning back towards the other horse and rider. She was picking up the pace, her muscles warming with her movements, absorbing the impact of each hoof hitting the earth. Sam let her stride length slightly, keeping in mind to keep steady and slightly sane.
As Sam and Nut neared the other pair, she began to slow. Shortening Nut's stride first then asking her to break down to a trot. The filly snorted and pulled on the bit, trying to break from the gentle and constant hold but eventually she heeded, though was unhappy and eager to go again.
The duo came to a halt beside the black filly. Sam nodded at the other rider. On three, she said, gathering her reins. By the way Sam shifted herself, the filly instantly knew what exactly was coming. She tensed and readied herself. Her muscles tight like a spring forced to stay still and fully coiled. Her head raised up and she danced a bit.
One, Sam said. Her hands holding back the filly. A grin slid onto her face when Nut tried over and over to go before she was allowed. Every two seconds the silent questions of Can we go now?! What about now!? came flying from Nut. Sam was firm with the buckskin, and yet despite how the young mare always misbehaved, Sam loved it. It only meant that Nut simply loved her job and didn't like waiting around for the fun to happen.
Two.. Sam glanced at the other rider, making sure she was ready. Though ready or not, Nut wasn't going to stand there for another second.
((I am so so so so so so so sorry for not posting here sooner! lol I've had this insane museful week for my book and every time I came on to reply, I thought of something for my book and ended up writing for like five hours XD))
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Post by hossluver on Oct 11, 2010 15:17:23 GMT -8
Lucy nodded when the girl said on the count of three. She shortened her reins and readied Blackbird. The filly tucked her head, chewing the bit, ears flicking back and fourth. Lucy fiddled with her head, getting it tucked in. The filly was tense, ready for action, but calm at the same time. Her ears were back, waiting for the tiniest whisper of a command from Lucy.
When the girl started counting, Lucy leaned forward, grabbed a hand-full of her filly's mane, eyes staring straight forward. Her heart was pounding, she need not tell the filly what she was doing, her pounding heart had done that for her. When the girl said two, Lucy felt like stone, she was so still. However, she did not say three and Lucy wasn't looking at her, she decided that the girl was letting her say the magic number. She cast a glance at the other girl so that she knew she was ready and then looked forward again. She took a deep breath.
"Three!" she said. She made a low growling sound in the black filly's ear, and felt her front end rise up a little as the powerful horse launched herself forward from a stand still. Lucy gripped with her knees and held onto her mane for the first three strides and then moved into the jockey's crouch. Blackbird settled into an even, fast pace, her ears back, listening and feeling for any movement. Her pace was a little fast, so Lucy switched to the right lead on the turn, which forced her to slow her pace as to be more careful. She wasn't paying any attention to the other girl yet, she didn't even know where they were, she was getting her horse settled into a good racing pace first.
It was wonderful to be racing!
muse; pretty good notes; hope u don't mind that i started it
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Post by sam on Oct 18, 2010 19:49:06 GMT -8
((^.^ I was planning on you character to finish off the count lol (Meant to mention that in the previous post) So that works out perfectly!))
The buckskin wasn't going to take it anymore. She rocked back and gave a half rear just as the other girl finished with 'three!' and without a moment of hesitation, she was off. Whether it was because she knew the word 'three' was pretty much the same as the bell for the gates or because she really couldn't stand staying still any longer, Sam didn't know nor did she care much at this rate.
Her body easily folding into the jockey position at the first stride, she eased Nut along, noting the other horse's head bobbing beside Sam's heel. Make this count, she whispered quietly to the filly and asked her to steady and slow, balancing around the corner and letting the black filly pass by at a leisurely pace. Nut pinned her ears at the filly and slipped in behind her, knowing their usual route for racing. With a small movement from Sam's hands, she kept an easy distance behind the filly's heels. The buckskin's body bent around the rail, her legs starting off on her left lead.
The corner eased out into the backstretch just as Nut and Sam got into position. Without Sam's say-so, Nut switched leads, always preferring her right for the straight shots and usually hated her left- which was rather odd for a race horse considering most only run tracking left around the track then again Sam would make her racers run the opposite way to work both side equally. She believed it helped her horses both in the long run and on the track.
Let's give them a little scare, Sam mumbled to her mount and with the slightest release on the reins, the mare picked up her pace and closed the distance between the other filly and Nut. She galloped loudly at black filly's heels, her body pulling from the rail slightly but keeping directly behind the other filly. She pressed closer, aiming for the horse to feel her presence more then the rider and either make a goof, lose their concentration, or even pick up their pace and use up all their energy before the stretch. Usually this would work for the newer horses, many of the veterans Nut raced against in her final year of racing wouldn't heed to her but she always tested each and every horse, taking some kind of twisted delight when her plan did work. Or at least that's what Sam though. She always figured Nut would have some kind of strange, twisted delight at anyone else's misfortune.
((Sorry for the late post again! Crazy, crazy week with three show these two weeks))
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Post by hossluver on Oct 19, 2010 5:23:40 GMT -8
The other pair started fast. The buckskin filly blasted forward with an insane spurt of power as she sped ahead of them in the first turn. Both Lucy and Blackbird chose to ignore this, and kept their same, sturdy pace. Soon, ears pinned, the other filly fell back, and Lucy could hear her pounding footfalls not far behind them. As they moved onto the backstretch, Lucy steadied her mare and switched back to the left lead, and Blackbird slowed a little more, settling into her quick, but even racing pace. Lucy loved her black filly, she was just a fabulous horse, so even minded and such a good listener.
"That's it," she murmured into her horse's ear. It was then that she noticed the pounding hoof-beats behind her getting louder, stronger, and Lucy caught a glimpse of the pair out of the corner of her eye, the horse's head right on Blackbird's rump. Lucy snorted. That was an interesting strategy. Blackbird's ears were pinned; she didn't like the other horse so close, and Lucy didn't either, but they still hadn't reached the half mile yet; best give it a little more time. She let the pair tailgate them for a little bit, and by the half mile, she was waiting, listening, feeling.
As if right on cue, the half mile pole flashed past, and Blackbird began to snort. Lucy smiled.I " never really liked tailgater," she mumbled into her horses ear. Without asking, Blackbird switched to her right lead, and with a touch of the heels, the filly blasted forward. It was soon, too soon for many horses, but this was where Blackbird had her advantage. She had been known for sprinting the last half mile in a race as a two year old when she ran in bigger races, and this was no exception. Maybe the girl would think her plan had worked, and in a way, it had. It certainly had given Blackbird some good inspiration.
The pair shot ahead of the buckskin, lengthening her every stride, her every movement getting longer and faster as she widened the gap. This buckskin was fast, and Lucy felt a mild stiffness in her filly, which could potentially be a problem in the homestretch, but she would worry about that later. Blackbird wasn't quite going full tilt yet, and she still had quite a bit of juice left. Oh, it felt wonderful to be racing again! Win or lose, this was a great start.
muse; pretty good notes; lol don't worry about it XD
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