Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2013 7:46:15 GMT -5
Majestic Hero, American Derby Work Out
He was nothing short of splendour, in his limited time at Pigeon Bank, Ella among others had fallen head-over-heels for the new boy’s magnificence. Where he stood, even with the greying skies of a brewing storm beginning to settle overhead, one couldn’t help but marvel over the presence he held. Ella’s mother had once owned the colt’s Hall of Fame Sire, Everyday Hero, and perhaps if it hadn’t been for the relations there, Jester would never have come to the small barn’s hands. It wasn’t simply the awe-striking speed he flaunted so effortlessly, but the grace, the elegance, the tactic… the existence. Perhaps at first glance, he was somewhat ordinary, despite his blood-hued coat; but spend a day or so watching him, and you could really come to appreciate his ability to impress.
The young adults chest would lean against the gate, elbows folding as she would watch him in his yard, a proud smile upon eager lips. “Hey there handsome,” and he would lift his head to meet her gaze, captivating features alive with a spirited intent. Briskly, he would move to greet her, that typical ‘food?’ nicker vibrating from wide nostrils. Gently, Ella would reach over the gate to greet her pride, and his dark nose would lean in to make a moment of contact, lip reaching forward to knead at her fingers, as if in hope of a reward. Ella would go to laugh- however as quickly as he had come to stand with her, Jester would rise suddenly onto his quarters, and with the tossing of his head and weight he would spin to face the other direction. Barely a few buoyant, bouncing strides of apparently exuberating ‘feel-good’, and he would come to hop and bounce on the spot, his head tucked down to his knees as he would repetitively rear.
It was so typical of him! There was never a boring moment of time spent with the vibrant Colt. Ella opened the gate, laughter light upon her lips, “Why am I not surprised, mister show off?” He would trot to her then, only to reach out with a split moment of curiosity, his neck stretching as his nose hovered near her arm, however before making contact he would yet again veer around and go shooting at a canter to the far side of his yard, where he would pause; standing squared, rising to his full height, tail lifted and nostrils snorting with an eagerness that so easily revealed his self confidence. What a show! Seemingly satisfied with his efforts, he would stand quietly while waiting to be caught, before willingly walking by his handlers side and to the tie-up area.
The tough field of The American Derby was heavy on Ella’s mind as she was boosted into the saddle by a helper, Jester’s immediate response being to work himself up for the gallop he knew was bound to come. Ella was new to the race-world, but with the guidance of her seasoned mother, she was pretty well on the ball with her preparations. She knew very little of the entered horses, as she was still new to the area, but regardless she would stick to the tactic that had worked so incredibly well for the colt’s 2yo Season. Nothing had changed, technique wise at least; the only difference was that now he was more mature- “Well,” Ella laughed at thought, looking down at the writhing and bouncing spitfire beneath her- shifting beneath that blood-red skin of his was muscle and sinew more developed and reinforced than they had ever been. He was a fierce threat to the field, and he sure as hell knew it.
Power punched from broad shoulders as the tall colt would move at an impressive extended trot, the drive of his forequarters bouncing Ella in and out of her seat with a force of admirable quantity. But the trot was nothing compared to the canter, as the lone bay would allow his rider to ease him into the jaunty push of canter; smooth transitions didn’t exist for this boy, as he would bounce into a new pace without any increase in stride from the last. It was that trait that gave him his bursting departures from the start gates, and what pushed him out before the others almost every single time. Ella didn’t want to over-work him, he had a big race coming up and she had no desire to tire him. But it was so, so hard to resist that almost violent swing from canter to gallop that he was so famous for. The sensation was more potent than heroin, and it was sure as hell addictive to sit too; she had never felt anything quite like it.
The turf would flex beneath his stretching hooves, his pace seeming to linger somewhat just short of breaking into gallop; gosh, he was so big-moving. Shoulders continued to drive out in front of him, power also pushing from behind as muscles would roll beneath his exotic flesh. He was so keen, absolutely bursting at the seams as he waited for his cue to push forwards at full pelt. Unless some of his competitors were some form of born miracle, he sure as hell was staring that win directly in the face; confident than ever in his abilities. A light suggestion of rain began to fall from the heavens, spitting, his ears would flicker, but his focus would stand strong. Not much could deter him from his mind-set, his eagerness to, quite simply, just move.
As if his canter was impressive, Ella would finally allow the colt the freedom of his head- and boy oh boy did he take the opportunity! The young jockey was almost pulled forwards by the thrusting of his neck as he lurched forth, skull pushing downwards and forwards as his ears would pin. It wasn’t a surprise his breaks were virtually unbeatable! Amazed, Ella would prepare herself for him to slow, however before she could ask him to do so, Jester would ease back into that more comfortable pace he was so famous for. Imaginary competitors would ease up in front him, as they likely would during the race, and Jester would settle behind the invisible tails of those to lead the field. He seemed so eager to push forward again, however Ella wouldn’t allow him, instead she would work only at his wide turns; keeping his balance practise as her right reign would open, and left would press against his neck. He felt the freedom of movement, and his right shoulder dropped inwards as he made the gradual wide opening around the bend, only to be brought back to centre field moments later. It was a short run, but he did it so well, with a furious ability that was clear even in his comfortable pace. Satisfied, Ella would bring him back to a trot after some convincing, reaching proudly downward to rub in front of his withers.
