Fighting On
Van Guard & Halexia Suhail
It was still dark when the riders began rousing their charges for their pre-breakfast morning work, and Hal was unsurprised to find possibly her favorite horse in a fighting mood. "Hey now, you love me, remember?" The stallion seemed unconvinced, tossing his head and already pacing restlessly inside his stall, never taking his eyes off of her. She opened the stall door regardless, waving the stiff-bristled brush in her hand in his direction. He slowed, then stopped, ears pressed forward as if this whole thing was a new, interesting process. She laughed, fully exploiting his love of grooming, putting some extra muscle into brushing him off. He leaned against her ministrations in contented bliss, making groaning noises every now and then when he stretched out. "Better," she hummed, and kept up a constant soothing chatter while she worked. By the time she was done, all of his earlier sourness was gone, replaced by willingness and youthful energy as she brought in his tack.
By the time they started out for the track, the first fingers of sunlight where beginning to show over the horizon. Van was eager, setting Hal to walk on her heels as they went to keep him from dragging her along. She jiggled his lead absently and he slowed down a little, distracted by the feeling enough for her to walk normally once again. She didn't blame him for being eager and fresh, really. He knew when he was being worked up to a race, and he was about to have his first start of the year. The son of Native Flame was hovering on the brink of grade one, ready to break through to the next level, and Hal had honestly never been this excited for one of their horses. Amarillo Sky was one thing - he was a horse she had helped to build into his current impressive form. However, she'd been in love with Van from the time he'd stepped off the trailer from Witch Creek and those feelings had never changed. He'd won his last race of Y14, and was in absolute prime form leading into the first week of February.
When Hal got to the track, there was no one else to be seen. Everything was quiet, except for the far-off sounds of other horses in the background. She shifted around to face Van, and he stood tall, ears pressed forward and watching her curiously. "We're going to have to work that little boy brain of yours at some point, you." He just stared at her, no change, and she laughed. "To the fence, now. Let's go." There were rules here, of course. The horses weren't supposed to be ridden with no one else around, for safety reasons. However, Hal was never one to do as she was told, and she knew Cole would be around any minute. He was rarely ever late, let alone for any amount of time. Van went where he took her, but he was obviously already restless, and so she didn't try to keep him still long. With all of the athletic grace of a gymnast, Hal went from leading him along the fenceline one moment to putting one foot on the fence and vaulting herself up onto his broad back. The stallion started, unused to the situation, but he only sidled a few steps sideways before Hal got him stopped and gave him thorough scratches. He relaxed quickly, though like any other young horse he wasn't a total fan of that whole move. But Hal was a whirlwind and often her sheer confidence was enough to get the job done without any issues. Getting him moving, Hal took the stallion out onto the dirt, and proceeded to go through a bit of an exercise with him. Van had a habit of getting a little overeager toward the end of a race, before Hal really wanted to get him going. To remedy that, or at least start to, she started him off trotting. As soon as he tried to rush off, she circled him. They were wide, sweeping circles, and though Van fought the thought of bending at first, he eventually relaxed and lengthened his stride. Whenever he relaxed that way and let out a blowing breath, she allowed him to straighten up again. She repeated the process until she looked up and saw Cole watching her, not interrupting. She nodded to him, finished up the current circle, and took the lightly sweating Van to the rail. Cole grunted, giving her a slightly disapproving look. "Would there be any point in telling you not to ride out here by yourself again?" he ask mildly, and Hal gave him a rather sly grin. "Not really. How far do you want me to take him?"
After Cole dished out the assignment, a brisk six furlongs to get the blood flowing, Hal turned Van back to the track. He was pretty well warmed up by now, so she skipped the preamble. She cantered him along to the first turn, then urged him into a gallop. He was still tossing his head against the bit every now and then, but she hadn't expected a single session to completely quash his eagerness, nor did she want it to. However, now, when she put a little pressure on the outside rein like she was going to circle him again, he paused, slowing a little off the bit. If she could use that to hold him back until she wanted him to go... well, it would save her arms some strain and him some effort of fighting. For now she gave him a quick scratch for responding, then got down to business. She allowed him up to a moderate pace, but didn't allow him to sprint off this early. He was pretty used to being moderated at the beginning, so he didn't fight too much for speed. They eased through the first few furlongs, Van showing no signs of strain - not abnormal with his router inclinations. The massive bay absolutely plowed through the final turn, and it was coming out of it that he began fighting, as per usual. She did her little trick, distracting him for a few crucial strides, and when he stopped fighting she rewarded him immediately. When her hands slid up his neck he responded immediately and with gusto, lunging as he gained speed. She sat lightly and unobtrusively, letting him do his own work, and as usual wasn't disappointed. They surged by the wire, Van dampened with sweat but showing no signs of fatigued as she galloped him lightly out, taking it easy on him since he'd gotten some work in before the run as well. She felt a small tingle in her fingers, and up her spine - he was as ready as ever, perhaps more so in his maturity. He was ready to break into the big leagues.
By the time they started out for the track, the first fingers of sunlight where beginning to show over the horizon. Van was eager, setting Hal to walk on her heels as they went to keep him from dragging her along. She jiggled his lead absently and he slowed down a little, distracted by the feeling enough for her to walk normally once again. She didn't blame him for being eager and fresh, really. He knew when he was being worked up to a race, and he was about to have his first start of the year. The son of Native Flame was hovering on the brink of grade one, ready to break through to the next level, and Hal had honestly never been this excited for one of their horses. Amarillo Sky was one thing - he was a horse she had helped to build into his current impressive form. However, she'd been in love with Van from the time he'd stepped off the trailer from Witch Creek and those feelings had never changed. He'd won his last race of Y14, and was in absolute prime form leading into the first week of February.
When Hal got to the track, there was no one else to be seen. Everything was quiet, except for the far-off sounds of other horses in the background. She shifted around to face Van, and he stood tall, ears pressed forward and watching her curiously. "We're going to have to work that little boy brain of yours at some point, you." He just stared at her, no change, and she laughed. "To the fence, now. Let's go." There were rules here, of course. The horses weren't supposed to be ridden with no one else around, for safety reasons. However, Hal was never one to do as she was told, and she knew Cole would be around any minute. He was rarely ever late, let alone for any amount of time. Van went where he took her, but he was obviously already restless, and so she didn't try to keep him still long. With all of the athletic grace of a gymnast, Hal went from leading him along the fenceline one moment to putting one foot on the fence and vaulting herself up onto his broad back. The stallion started, unused to the situation, but he only sidled a few steps sideways before Hal got him stopped and gave him thorough scratches. He relaxed quickly, though like any other young horse he wasn't a total fan of that whole move. But Hal was a whirlwind and often her sheer confidence was enough to get the job done without any issues. Getting him moving, Hal took the stallion out onto the dirt, and proceeded to go through a bit of an exercise with him. Van had a habit of getting a little overeager toward the end of a race, before Hal really wanted to get him going. To remedy that, or at least start to, she started him off trotting. As soon as he tried to rush off, she circled him. They were wide, sweeping circles, and though Van fought the thought of bending at first, he eventually relaxed and lengthened his stride. Whenever he relaxed that way and let out a blowing breath, she allowed him to straighten up again. She repeated the process until she looked up and saw Cole watching her, not interrupting. She nodded to him, finished up the current circle, and took the lightly sweating Van to the rail. Cole grunted, giving her a slightly disapproving look. "Would there be any point in telling you not to ride out here by yourself again?" he ask mildly, and Hal gave him a rather sly grin. "Not really. How far do you want me to take him?"
After Cole dished out the assignment, a brisk six furlongs to get the blood flowing, Hal turned Van back to the track. He was pretty well warmed up by now, so she skipped the preamble. She cantered him along to the first turn, then urged him into a gallop. He was still tossing his head against the bit every now and then, but she hadn't expected a single session to completely quash his eagerness, nor did she want it to. However, now, when she put a little pressure on the outside rein like she was going to circle him again, he paused, slowing a little off the bit. If she could use that to hold him back until she wanted him to go... well, it would save her arms some strain and him some effort of fighting. For now she gave him a quick scratch for responding, then got down to business. She allowed him up to a moderate pace, but didn't allow him to sprint off this early. He was pretty used to being moderated at the beginning, so he didn't fight too much for speed. They eased through the first few furlongs, Van showing no signs of strain - not abnormal with his router inclinations. The massive bay absolutely plowed through the final turn, and it was coming out of it that he began fighting, as per usual. She did her little trick, distracting him for a few crucial strides, and when he stopped fighting she rewarded him immediately. When her hands slid up his neck he responded immediately and with gusto, lunging as he gained speed. She sat lightly and unobtrusively, letting him do his own work, and as usual wasn't disappointed. They surged by the wire, Van dampened with sweat but showing no signs of fatigued as she galloped him lightly out, taking it easy on him since he'd gotten some work in before the run as well. She felt a small tingle in her fingers, and up her spine - he was as ready as ever, perhaps more so in his maturity. He was ready to break into the big leagues.
Quietly
Barely A Sound & Vivien Charron
In many ways, Vivien and Barely A Sound were absolutely perfect for each other, though Cole hadn't thought too deeply into it when he'd assigned the boy to the new horse late the last year. It had been hard, at the time, to find races to put the filly in - with an inconsistent record and a tough losing streak, Cole thought his best decision would be to pick fields carefully and allow her to mature and take on her classic year with some confidence. In all, the strategy seemed to be a good one - Whisper ended the year with three consecutive second-place finishes that would, in theory, be easy to rebound off of. Looking at her siblings, there was evidence of late maturity, looking at both Sizzling Dawn and Barely Legal on her sire's side. So really, Cole wasn't too incredibly worried for her, though he couldn't deny it was nicer coming into a season with a few more definitive wins tucked under their belts. But he had to work with what he had and focus on getting the filly into shape for her first start of the year, which was going to be a challenge in and of itself. If nothing else, she had a fair bit of experience, and every ride she shared with Vivien strengthened the bond between them and it had reflected well in her results.
He'd brought the filly down, knowing Vivien would be along shortly. He took the time to check her legs, hands running quick and assured down the black limbs. Satisfied there was no heat, he shifted to stand back and really look at her. She watched him curiously, but she was one who understood when she was supposed to stand still and when she was supposed to be moving. So she didn't move while he studied her musculature and growth over the months, comparing it in his mind to the filly he'd first been offered. Overall, it didn't paint a bad picture. There was nothing dramatic, but she'd definitely filled out more and had an overall maturity about her that was promising. He stepped back up, rubbing the filly's nose when she reached toward his hand, praising her for her good work - or, in her mind, she was just getting her usual love. He couldn't help but think she'd be an amazing broodmare because of her disposition, even if she never did pick it up.
Footsteps on gravel behind him alerted both he and the filly to the approaching Vivien. Whisper raised her head high to see over the man, ears pressed forward. Because he was so close, Cole noticed the vibrations in her throat and the very light noise coming from her, barely audible - her version of a whicker of welcome, he figured. He smiled, knowing that that alone was a sign of the bond between them if nothing else. Vivien gave no sign that he'd heard, and probably hadn't - Cole had barely heard it standing right next to her. Ah, well. His little secret for now - something to motivate Vivien down the road if the jockey hit a rut. "'Morning, Cole," Vivien said cheerfully as he stepped up, and Whisper immediately turned her head to push her nose against his shoulder. Vivien laughed, a bright sound from the quiet young man, giving the filly love for a moment. "Yes, 'morning to you too."
"Alright, let's get going. Take her for a three furlong breeze and gallop her to the backstretch. God knows she won't get up to speed on her own, so just make it brisk. You don't need to push her, but make her work." Vivien nodded, shifting so Cole could give him a leg up. Which he did, without any real effort, with one arm - Vivien was light-boned even with the wiry muscles, making him pretty much perfect as a jockey. It could be tricky working with him sometimes, though - his self-esteem wasn't great, and he blamed himself for every race his horses lost. Cole had begun getting through to him so he'd stop being so hard on himself, but in reality it was good for his riding and motivation, even if it wasn't really good for him. He moved to him customary spot on the rail to watch. The warm-up was smooth as could be, with Whisper's willing nature. There were some bobbles here and there, because she was, after all, a three-year-old filly, but nothing compared to some of the more hot-headed horses. She settled down as they went further, excitement losing its edge, and he got her moving very nicely onto the rail.
At the 3/8ths pole, Vivien got Whisper moving into the pace Cole had asked for. It was hard judging her, since she didn't run hard just on her own. However, she was always incredibly willing when she was asked for it. He figured it came down to her enjoying the run, but being so polite and well-behaved that she wouldn't do it without permission. So though she had to be continually urged to get more speed, she didn't seem resentful of it. She entered the turn, stretching and grabbing at the dirt as she went with those long-legged strides. Vivien really got her moving in the last furlong, and Cole clicked the classic stopwatch in his hand as the bay slipped by, gait so smooth it seemed like she was floating over the ground. Well, she was bred for it, so no real surprise there. The filly galloped out strongly under Vivien's urging, and Cole met him at the gap when he finally pulled up. "How'd she feel?" he asked while he held her for him to dismount. Vivien smiled, petting the filly's sweating neck. "Willing, as usual. She didn't strain at all. Every time I asked, he gave a little more." Basically what Cole had expected, but he always had to be sure. If Whisper started resenting the run, they'd get nothing out of her and it would be time to retire. As of now, though, she was as bright and happy as normal, snuffling her nose toward the grass and flickering her tail at Vivien. Satisfied, Cole pulled the filly's head up and led her to a waiting hotwalker, who took her off. When he turned back to Vivien, the young man had a clearly pleased look. At Cole's quirk of a brow, Vivien said, "She's got so much left to give. I never ask her for too much in these works, but she's got so much more in the tank left to tap into."Cole didn't doubt it, but it was nice to see the young jockey so confident going into the filly's first race of the season.
He'd brought the filly down, knowing Vivien would be along shortly. He took the time to check her legs, hands running quick and assured down the black limbs. Satisfied there was no heat, he shifted to stand back and really look at her. She watched him curiously, but she was one who understood when she was supposed to stand still and when she was supposed to be moving. So she didn't move while he studied her musculature and growth over the months, comparing it in his mind to the filly he'd first been offered. Overall, it didn't paint a bad picture. There was nothing dramatic, but she'd definitely filled out more and had an overall maturity about her that was promising. He stepped back up, rubbing the filly's nose when she reached toward his hand, praising her for her good work - or, in her mind, she was just getting her usual love. He couldn't help but think she'd be an amazing broodmare because of her disposition, even if she never did pick it up.
Footsteps on gravel behind him alerted both he and the filly to the approaching Vivien. Whisper raised her head high to see over the man, ears pressed forward. Because he was so close, Cole noticed the vibrations in her throat and the very light noise coming from her, barely audible - her version of a whicker of welcome, he figured. He smiled, knowing that that alone was a sign of the bond between them if nothing else. Vivien gave no sign that he'd heard, and probably hadn't - Cole had barely heard it standing right next to her. Ah, well. His little secret for now - something to motivate Vivien down the road if the jockey hit a rut. "'Morning, Cole," Vivien said cheerfully as he stepped up, and Whisper immediately turned her head to push her nose against his shoulder. Vivien laughed, a bright sound from the quiet young man, giving the filly love for a moment. "Yes, 'morning to you too."
"Alright, let's get going. Take her for a three furlong breeze and gallop her to the backstretch. God knows she won't get up to speed on her own, so just make it brisk. You don't need to push her, but make her work." Vivien nodded, shifting so Cole could give him a leg up. Which he did, without any real effort, with one arm - Vivien was light-boned even with the wiry muscles, making him pretty much perfect as a jockey. It could be tricky working with him sometimes, though - his self-esteem wasn't great, and he blamed himself for every race his horses lost. Cole had begun getting through to him so he'd stop being so hard on himself, but in reality it was good for his riding and motivation, even if it wasn't really good for him. He moved to him customary spot on the rail to watch. The warm-up was smooth as could be, with Whisper's willing nature. There were some bobbles here and there, because she was, after all, a three-year-old filly, but nothing compared to some of the more hot-headed horses. She settled down as they went further, excitement losing its edge, and he got her moving very nicely onto the rail.
At the 3/8ths pole, Vivien got Whisper moving into the pace Cole had asked for. It was hard judging her, since she didn't run hard just on her own. However, she was always incredibly willing when she was asked for it. He figured it came down to her enjoying the run, but being so polite and well-behaved that she wouldn't do it without permission. So though she had to be continually urged to get more speed, she didn't seem resentful of it. She entered the turn, stretching and grabbing at the dirt as she went with those long-legged strides. Vivien really got her moving in the last furlong, and Cole clicked the classic stopwatch in his hand as the bay slipped by, gait so smooth it seemed like she was floating over the ground. Well, she was bred for it, so no real surprise there. The filly galloped out strongly under Vivien's urging, and Cole met him at the gap when he finally pulled up. "How'd she feel?" he asked while he held her for him to dismount. Vivien smiled, petting the filly's sweating neck. "Willing, as usual. She didn't strain at all. Every time I asked, he gave a little more." Basically what Cole had expected, but he always had to be sure. If Whisper started resenting the run, they'd get nothing out of her and it would be time to retire. As of now, though, she was as bright and happy as normal, snuffling her nose toward the grass and flickering her tail at Vivien. Satisfied, Cole pulled the filly's head up and led her to a waiting hotwalker, who took her off. When he turned back to Vivien, the young man had a clearly pleased look. At Cole's quirk of a brow, Vivien said, "She's got so much left to give. I never ask her for too much in these works, but she's got so much more in the tank left to tap into."Cole didn't doubt it, but it was nice to see the young jockey so confident going into the filly's first race of the season.
Journey's Start
Monarch's Journey & Vivien Charron
A lot of the purchasing decisions Cole made throughout the year could often seem like mistakes or at least a little strange through the eyes of others. He couldn't deny that his methods were a little unconventional, but he was a very instinctual person and if his gut told him it was a good plan, he tended to follow it. Normally his gut was backed up by his immense experience, but sometimes he just took a risk. Once such gamble was the latest juvenile to join their string - an unblooded colt Cole had heard of from a trainer friend, sold by one of his previous employers. He hadn't really been interested in Monarch's Journey when he first heard about him, but he drove out to see him as a courtesy and the colt had completely changed his mind. Arch was tall even as a juvenile and had a great start to musculature that promised to be even thicker and stronger as he grew. When he ran, he had the sort of great, long strides that would serve him well. All of that had Cole thinking, but it was really the colt's personality that sold him. He'd never seen a more focused, serious-minded young horse. He could tell at a glance that the gorgeous bay would tackle any new challenge with the solemness and passion of a scholar. It was such a unique thing to see, coupled with just being a fine specimen of a horse, that he'd loaded the dark bay into the trailer and brought him home that day. Mae had just been bemused when he told her, since he'd turned most of his purchases into solid profit for the family. She'd actually gone to her sons, when Cole said how confident he was that the colt would succeed, and in the end the right of ownership had been passed on to the two Suhail sons. He hoped he wasn't about to let them down.
Vivien had seemed like a good match for Arch's serious work mentality, so it hadn't taken much for Vivien to convince him to let him ride the new bay. It wasn't like Vivien to ask for much of anything, so that had him inclined to agree as well. So unlike Hal, who took what she wanted without apology, in most cases. So he and Vivien waited after Barely A Sound was led off, and a few moments later aforementioned lady jockey came down the drive leading Arch. More surprisingly, Kai and Ronan were close on her heels - they boys had to half-jog to keep up, though Ronan was a good couple of inches taller than his younger brother. They were chattering at Hal, and she humored them, though thankfully not with the raunchy jokes she tended to share with them. They kept turning excited glances at the juvenile colt, and finally it clicked - this was their horse, and they were excited to see him run. Cole smiled, and saw that Vivien had come to the same conclusion. It probably wouldn't last, coming to every workout the horse ran, but their youthful enthusiasm was infectious.
Cole got Vivien mounted, Hal headed off to do whatever Hal did, and the boys stood by Cole as Vivien took Arch out to warm him up. If Whisper had looked well-behaved, Arch was a saint. He moved like a veteran, and in minutes Vivien had the colt ready and on the rail. Arch moved neatly into a gallop, young muscles pushing and surging with energy. He was just taking him a quick two furlongs, pushing him through the wire in preparation for his first race. The boys watched in eager excitement when Vivien got Arch to speed, as if they were seeing this whole process with new eyes. The rhythmic, expelled breath grew louder as the colt approached, and Ronan let out an excited cheer as the colt blew by the wire. Vivien galloped him out, and eventually brought the colt back to the wire. The boys were there, wary as they were taught but eagerly reaching out to give the colt a pat on his lightly sweaty neck. Arch wasn't very affectionate, but he did turn his head to look at them with a big brown eye before giving a sigh, chewing lightly on the bit. Vivien, for his part, was smiling - this colt could get it done for them, and he was going to take him there.
Vivien had seemed like a good match for Arch's serious work mentality, so it hadn't taken much for Vivien to convince him to let him ride the new bay. It wasn't like Vivien to ask for much of anything, so that had him inclined to agree as well. So unlike Hal, who took what she wanted without apology, in most cases. So he and Vivien waited after Barely A Sound was led off, and a few moments later aforementioned lady jockey came down the drive leading Arch. More surprisingly, Kai and Ronan were close on her heels - they boys had to half-jog to keep up, though Ronan was a good couple of inches taller than his younger brother. They were chattering at Hal, and she humored them, though thankfully not with the raunchy jokes she tended to share with them. They kept turning excited glances at the juvenile colt, and finally it clicked - this was their horse, and they were excited to see him run. Cole smiled, and saw that Vivien had come to the same conclusion. It probably wouldn't last, coming to every workout the horse ran, but their youthful enthusiasm was infectious.
Cole got Vivien mounted, Hal headed off to do whatever Hal did, and the boys stood by Cole as Vivien took Arch out to warm him up. If Whisper had looked well-behaved, Arch was a saint. He moved like a veteran, and in minutes Vivien had the colt ready and on the rail. Arch moved neatly into a gallop, young muscles pushing and surging with energy. He was just taking him a quick two furlongs, pushing him through the wire in preparation for his first race. The boys watched in eager excitement when Vivien got Arch to speed, as if they were seeing this whole process with new eyes. The rhythmic, expelled breath grew louder as the colt approached, and Ronan let out an excited cheer as the colt blew by the wire. Vivien galloped him out, and eventually brought the colt back to the wire. The boys were there, wary as they were taught but eagerly reaching out to give the colt a pat on his lightly sweaty neck. Arch wasn't very affectionate, but he did turn his head to look at them with a big brown eye before giving a sigh, chewing lightly on the bit. Vivien, for his part, was smiling - this colt could get it done for them, and he was going to take him there.