Wake Up Call. [Rip/Bella Luna]

[Cavallo]

<sub>The Innocent Skier & Adele Rodgers

Adele looked across at the bay colt tied up to the trailer. Her eyes were dangerously glittering as she took in her charge. What is your problem Ian?! The bay turned his head inquisitively to her as he chewed on some grass he'd found on the ground. She rolled her eyes and threw her hands up exasperated. Ian. You are the son of TWO, not one...TWO Grade One horses and for pete's sake! Your dam is a hall of famer! We were doing so well at the start! She closed the gap between her and the colt. Ian looked at her with his intelligent eyes locking onto Adele. He knew her...and could sense her frustration. He snorted and nickered gently to her, nudging her hand as she untied him from the back end of the Intrepid trailer. The anger was fading from her eyes and a look of pure determination filled her. Ian was better than this and she was going to prove it.

She tugged the reins snapping Ian out of his standing doze and turning him around pointing him to the track. Intelligent eyes had a brief flare of excitement and he stood resolutely still as the tall, small framed girl pulled herself up into the saddle. Adele allowed her determination to translate into her legs and hands, the colt shifted ears perked in interest at his rider's new attitude. She was just glad he was showing some interest. Their last race should have been theirs. She hadn't known what to tell Nick when he'd asked what had happened. The disappointment she felt though was greater that the look on Nick's face. Ever since Ian had come to IR, he'd always been her horse and they had hit the tracks together at the beginning of Y12 with a bang. He'd had more wins this year than any season before in his entire career. So, it was apparent that they could so this....but she just couldn't figure out what had gotten into the colt lately.

She armed herself with determination. There was no miss nice Adele today. Nope. She was going to make this colt wake up and realize he was better than the effort he was giving her. If she had to guess the problem here with Ian...she'd say Ian was too smart for his own good. After 5 years of racing...he hadn't seen anything too new....but maybe that's exactly what they needed. A change. She normally ran the bay colt at the home track, but had decided to shake it up. She needed all the help she could get.

She nudged the colt into a gallop as the pair burst onto the turf scene. Ian shook his head and began to settle into his normal warm-up leg. Nope! Not today...today nothing is going to be as YOU think it will! She tapped the colt and asked for a brisk clip. Ian was slightly startled and tossed his head slightly, but soon rose to the challenge. That's what he needs...challenge. She smiled. She felt the colt's persona begin to shift as she pushed the colt. He was a router and classic distanced horse with loads of stamina. She knew what he was capable of doing, but it seemed it was time to remind the colt himself what he was capable of.

They whisked into the back stretch and Ian surged forward for more, but she checked him. Today everything was going to be on her terms. The colt slowed at her request begrudgingly into a lighter canter, but he'd tasted the faster pace. He chaffed at the bit and Adele let him stew in it.</sub>

[Ripley]

<sub>Reese was a stranger to The Wire in the case of workouts. Most of the staff at Witch Creek was. The horses usually didn't leave the home track unless they were racing which was quite often. Home life gave them a sense of safety and a chance to be away from the energetic life at the track. Home life gave them the chance to simply be horses rather than caged animals. The caramel skinned woman appreciated Witch Creek more and more every day. She was used to the rougher treatment of horses in South America, used to them never leaving their stalls. It was a complete turn around up here in America. Witch Creek operated more like the European training yards than American. They shipped in the day of the race, trained over hills at home and Ripley even planned to build an indoor track within the next two years.

So while Reese loved home life, she still yearned for some action. Action was needed in order to wake up the horse from the hazy slumber they seem to fell into. Routine was good until something out of the routine messed with their heads. As far as Reese was concerned, this trip to The Wire would do wonders for Bella Luna's mentality. The silver-white filly loved the track, loved to trailer and was an all around steady eddy. But she often was challenged by unexpected things and she often stuttered in response to them.

Reese unloaded the already tacked up Bella Luna and tied her to the bale and twine attached to the trailer. The filly was as fit as a fiddle, strong and sturdy and lean as a grey-hound. Her bright eyes swept over the track excitedly. Her thin skin twitched against the blast of winter wind, but her curiosity as to why she was at The Wire when it clearly wasn't race day dominated her brain. Reese pulled on her chaps and her helmet, keeping a steady eye on the glossy two year old.

Bella had been on a three race win streak before she'd run into older horses at this same track. She hadn't expected a fight, used to winning against lighter competition, and had pretty much tossed in that towel quicker than Reese had expected. Bella was turning into a running machine, consistency being well within her forte, even if it was at a lower level than all the other two year olds.

Reese walked to the filly and pulled the halter off of her. She shook her head, but as per usual of Bella, merely stood, waiting for more direction. Reese stroked the filly's snowy neck. Bella was smarter than her years implied. She dipped the filly's head into the bridle and swiftly swung aboard, smooth as you please. Bella stepped into a nice jog the moment Reese was planted into the saddle. Always eager to please, the Sea Struck filly read right into Reese's wishes. Reese merely posted to the smooth rhythm, letting the reins sag around Bella's neck. A few people took note of Bella Luna's presence. She was a backstretch favorite at The Wire. Grooms and trainers alike stopped into see her before she headed back to Witch Creek. Her gentle nature allowed for such attention.

They stepped foot onto the dirt and Reese let Bella step out into a swift canter. She carried her head low as her even stride swept over the loamy dirt track. She was becoming more confident over the uneven surface with all of the work at Witch Creek's dirt track. Their training turf track was shut down for the winter due to frost and snow. She would never race over it, but it was good experience to have. Reese smiled as Bella gnawed at the bit, clamping it's aluminum bar between her teeth and pulling down and out. Reese shook her head when the filly sped up to a nice cruising speed. If she wanted to move faster earlier, so be it. She would be extra prepared for her next race then.

The gap entrance to the turf track appeared on the inside rail and Reese slowed Bella Luna down to go through it. The filly's ears perked up in excitement. There were many horses galloping and working out over the race track this morning. One of whom, Reese recognized from seeing him often at the track. The Innocent Skier, one of the hard luck horses of Intrepid Racing. From watching race videos prior to her arrival in the states, Reese had noted the spectacular rise of Little Miss Innocent's son... and then the sudden level off. It was peculiar, but it was something Witch Creek was facing in their own barn with many of their horses. GS Royal Crown, Mastermind and Cross.

Reese nudged Bella into moving back at her racing gallop gait. Her swift stride covered the ground rapidly until she was even with The Innocent Skier and the Intrepid rider. Bella's nostrils twitched in excitement. She loved working out with other horses. It made her happy. Reese let the reins dangle, a pinkie holding them in place at Bella Luna's withers. She turned to the rider and pulled her scarf down, smiling. Hey there. We don't usually see you guys out on the workout circuit that often here. Like Witch Creek, Intrepid split their time between home track and race track. And who could blame them. Their training surface had bolstered Fiery Touch's recent performances well beyond expectations. She knew Ripley would be in contact with Nick sometime soon about putting a similar surface down in their indoor training track.

He looks like a child who just received chiding. Reese laughed and finally put both hands on the reins when Bella began to test the competitive fires of the other horse. Her white-gray frame bolted forward, nose dipping down in front of the larger bay. Her eyes glittered with excitement. A soft touch from Reese and the filly tucked her head into her chest and settled back to her proper gait.</sub>

[Cavallo]

<sub>The Innocent Skier & Adele Rodgers

She felt giddy. This was the most life Ian had shown on the track in weeks. Light hands felt the hard tension in the bay's mouth. She felt his teeth playing with the metal alloy in his mouth.He was growing frustrated and she was happy about it. About time you showed some interest in running... She growled out, but kept the colt in check. She shivered slightly and pondered again why she rode without gloves, but remembered exactly why. She liked the direct contact. With her bare hands light on the reins she felt every tension, every motion and emotion brewing within her mounts. If truth were to be told, her sensitivity to her mounts is what had helped her land her job here at Intrepid and she wasn't about to start making compromises now.

She posted in her irons and stood as the bay colt beneath her arched his neck in a powerful display. The cold weather had seemed to of whipped the bay colt into life. She shivered with cold and excitement as the wind tugged at her blonde locks . Ian was still playing with his bit and then Adele heard the thunder of an approaching horse....Granted, there were other horses breezing on the public tracks here at The Wire, but these were quick steps. The blonde peeked a glance to see a vaguely familiar horse chasing down Ian.

Her breath was warm and moist in her face as breathed into her black scarf. Her scarf hid her smile, but she was sure her eyes were shining bright. Exactly what we need! A little different competition. As the grey horse and her rider drew closer Adele instantly recognized Michael's old mount Bella Luna. She looked to be in great form. Bella's rider pulled her scarf down and Adele listened a gentle smile on her face. She was having a blast at Ian's miserable expense. The colt was still chaffing at the bit and huffed at the nearness of the filly. Ian was a gentleman in every aspect, but he was in a unique mood today, thanks to Adele's craftiness. Today was going to be a battle of wits between the colt and Adele. Adele lightly flicked the reins letting Ian know she was still here and that just because a horse had come alongside didn't mean he was going to get away with anything. She turned and chuckled at the woman's appraisal of her situation as she tugged down her own scarf.

Yeah...We don't normally come to the tracks here, but I'm shaking things up for this sleeping lout. He's not too pleased with me at the moment, but I'm happy to just see him finally exhibiting some interest in running...even if I did manipulate him a bit to get this kind of response out of him. As Bella tried to gain a lead on Ian, the colt tossed his heads and released a grunt of disapproval of Adele's tactics...why was she letting this small grey filly gain on them? She could just picture her old man grunting these thoughts in his head and she relished in the growth of his competitive spirit. Maybe Bella Luna was going to be their good luck charm....

The name's Adele and this is the currently grumpy Innocent Skier... The bay colt snapped his tail against his rump, whipping Adele's back. Hey you grump! She checked his rein and he shook his head while keeping an eye on the grey filly as her rider had brought her back alongside him. His eye was locked onto Bella, sizing the younger horse up. His ears pricked forward, suddenly interested in running.

Adele laxed her hold and Ian held his course like a pro. She smiled, but still felt his pulsing desire to break at her slightest cue. This was the boy she had originally fell in love with. Now, I do believe that you are on Bella Luna, right? Michael still talks about how well his 'ol girl is doing with Witch Creek...So I'm going to assume you're from there? Adele smiled. She was glad to see another female. Working at Intrepid made her a minority, but now that Beth was back in town it didn't make it as bad, but the woman was old enough to be her mother it seemed. She liked Bella's jock and she liked what Bella was doing for Ian.</sub>

[Ripley]

Reese tilted her head, eyeing the puzzled Innocent Skier. The stallion looked as frustrated as he could at the moment, a powder keg beneath this woman from Intrepid. A smirk played over Reese's face. Sometimes men needed to be reminded that women were actually the people in charge around the track. Well at Witch Creek they were anyway. The woman patted Lulu's snowy neck. She was a well-mannered lady and knew the human ones were in charge. She loved playing tricks on Brooks and Justin behind their backs, but never once did she put a toe out of line around the women.

The gray filly was picking up on the frustrated energy from The Innocent Skier. She tossed her head a couple times as if fighting with some inner demon of hers. Reese remained quiet, reins long, letting the filly argue it all out with herself. The woman glanced at the now known Adele and laughed. She had seen these races and had to admit it looked as if this particular horse just was falling asleep on the race track. Trainers went through various activities in order to get sleeping horses awake from changing environments to adding blinkers or removing them. Some horses never reawakened and usually they were often mares who did so. Wanting to be off the track rather than on it.

Not my Little Lulu though. She wants to stay with Reese and running in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. The silver dappled filly tilted her head to side as if analyzing the cookiness of Reese's statement. A chuckle came from her mouth. Everyone had their moments. Even trainers whose oldest current mount had just reached grade two. Reese tossed the end of her scarf back over her shoulder, glanced at Adele and grinned.

Yeah, we don't typically let strangers ride our mounts, Reese teased energetically. She pulled the filly off of The Innocent Skier, unlocking her intense grip on the colt. She was hanging out too much with Cross and Red for her own good. Name's Reese Balling Jones. I used to ride as a pick up rider down in South America. Maggie called me up since she was just coming back to the States from Europe or Japan, not quite sure, and said she might have a steadier job here. So I took it much to Ripley's disagreement. But the woman likes me now. Bella is my main mount for the moment. I ride Winning Touch while we lease her from Serendipity.


Reese clamped her mouth shut. It felt like she hadn't talked in a long while to anyone. She shook her head, grinning. Oh boy this girl was never going to want to speak with her again. Chatterbox! Reese snorted, letting Bella Luna step into a faster gait to cover up her rider's awkwardness. The gray filly bounded over the turf like a rabbit, running out over the top. So what exactly did you have in mind for The Innocent Skier today and did you want some company?

[Cavallo]

<sub>The Innocent Skier & Adele

Adele really liked Reese. She listened intently as she spoke about how she came to Witch Creek. She looked at how she raced the grey filly. She was light of hand and had her mounts complete submission and attention. She was a good jock and Witch Creek was fortunate to have her. She grew intrigued when she mentioned she was from South America, but didn't interrupt her as she continued to talk. She felt the same way, like she was about to have diarrhea of the mouth. There just wasn't many people for her to talk to like this. She made a mental note to ask Reese out for a shopping trip or lunch sometime. She chuckled when Reese got an embarrassed glint to her face and clammed up for talking so much. Winning Touch Eh? How does she ride? I've always been curious about that filly. She gave Paradise Island a run for her money in the TT prep races. Winning Touch had been one of the more prominent older fillies on The Wire tracks, but she seemed to have taken a break. She wondered where the filly had gone too.

Ian snorted, but didn't challenge Adele as she moderated his light gallop. She quickly looked at the mile markers and realized she'd been holding Ian at this pace for about 5 furlongs. She grinned. He was eager to be off and that was a good sign. As Reese pulled Lulu back off of Ian a bit, Ian still never lost his eye contact on the younger filly. Adele was liking what she was seeing.

Well. I was going to gallop Ian here out of his normal leg and then take him in a 9 furlong blow out. Ian head the word "blow out" and he picked his head up slightly while reaching forward in his gallop, much like a prancing carousel horse. Adele chuckled and looked to Reese with a mischievous glint in her blue eyes. I think Ian is awake what do you think? And. I think it had much to do with your filly. Would you be up for a friendly blow out with me and Ian here? She had a hopeful look on her face as Ian stood at the ready, his anticipation palpable and growing.</sub>

[Ripley]

<sub>Bella was cruising now, her lean gray figure covering the ground quite easily. Reese was extremely satisfied with how the filly was moving. She was straight and strong, powerful even beneath her girlish figure. She was a tough little thing and had more than surprised everyone at Witch Creek with her consistency and ability to mature over the stressful two year old season. Her eyes were round with excitement, ears cocked to listen to The Innocent Skier and listening for more competitive bursts. The filly needed a wake up call, needed to prove that she could somehow beat the older horses because next year she would have to do it. And she would. Reese was positive, Bella would be a tough horse going into next year and good enough for Turf Triple Crown.

Adele brought up Winning Touch and Reese grinned. She rides good. She's solid and has incredible stride, lung development. She doesn't take a lot to keep in shape. She's been racing. She's a grade two filly now. Won the Autumn Cup Grade Three Dirt. She's a rough and tumble type and she gives you everything in a race. Not as intense as Fie.

Bella and Innocent Skier rolled over the track together, not letting the other go. Lulu snorted, tossed her ears back and forth, letting them mingle with her silver-white mane. She ducked her head down, playing excitedly with the older horse. She was an odd individual. Not quite focused, but willing to focus down when the challenge came up. That's what made her so incredible.

Reese rolled her shoulders and looked over at Adele. Nine furlongs. Witch Creek never usually worked the horses out for that long. It was more like a race than a workout. Reese thought it over, pondering. Bella could handle it. She didn't race for a while Sounds good to me. Just tell me when. Reese let the filly flow beneath her, stretching her stride and testing her ability. She was limbered up and ready to roll. Reese stroked the filly's white mane, feeling the rhythm of a stride not quite tamed. Bella was ready.</sub>

[Cavallo]

<sub>The Innocent Skier & Adele

She saw Reese pause slightly at her offer. She knew nine furlongs wasn't a blow out, but Ian was in such a great state of mind right now for racing...she was going to milk it for all that it was worth at this moment. She studied Reese's face as she pondered her question and invitation. She shivered in cold and excitement as she checked Ian who had started to reach out the their gallop. Not yet... She looked over at Bella Luna, she looked eager and ready to run down the bigger Ian.

She chuckled mentally at the vast difference between Ian and Luna. Luna was a slight filly with a grey hound's body, lean and slim, but full of power and muscle. Ian reminded her more of a draft horse. He had the strong "Roman nose" as she liked to call it and a thick body and chest. He was packed and filled out with muscle. He looked like a bear next to Luna, but she knew that all of Ian's compactness made him a rocket when he ran. He had the propulsion and movement to breeze past horses, it was getting him to use that power that was lacking. It seemed though that Luna had begun to unlock that for Ian. He still had his gaze locked on her, he galloped then quiet and ready to take off with a hairpin trigger.

Adele looked again to Reese and then smiled a big Cheshire grin at her consent. Perfect. I know nine furlongs isn't short...but I think it'd really wake Ian up to race your fiery girl here... She smiled and got into position. If she remembered correctly, Luna was more at the front end of her races, so she would take off like a shot. Okay ready?! Adele smiled and grew excited, Ian was picking up on the change in the atmosphere and knew a run was soon in coming. He snorted and steeled himself for battle. Adele was all grin.

AND. GO!

They started as they flew past a mile marker. At Adele's cry of "go" Ian launched into the air into a flying lead change and settled right into his new leg. The wind whipped Adele's blonde locks from under her helmet and stung her face, but she just smiled. Ian was on another level, he was on his A-game and she was just tickled pink. She peeked to her right to see where Bella and Reese were running...Where they ahead of them? Alongside? She felt Ian's pace and knew this was his warmup leg. She was really looking forward to the last two furlongs....that's when Ian really flew.</sub>

[/sub]

[Ripley]

<sub>Reese felt the pressure building within Bella Luna. The Sea Struck filly had the tendencies to pick up the emotions around her quicker than most. Her nostrils vibrated with excitement, her neck muscles tensed up. She had nine furlongs of energy built up within this lithe frame of hers. Her gaze was stern when she looked at the seemingly ungainly form of The Innocent Skier. She was expecting the same kind of competition, the weaker, less consistent competition. She'd been surprised by the older horse last week. It didn't kill her to know that she was facing a grade three horse. But Reese knew and she expected a fight. Her hands tensed on the reins, cuing Lulu to get her act together.

Humor splashed across Reese's face. Hearing Adele call Bella Luna fiery was something else. Bella was usually anything but. She was the most sound minded horse in the entire Year Ten crop at Witch Creek. She could flat out run, but usually found herself battling a more overly strong horse. The filly tossed her head as The Innocent Skier revved up beside her. Reese didn't know how far Bella could go. Nine furlongs was well within the filly's range. But she really didn't have a style due to her overall ability to manipulate her situation. Reese relaxed into the seat briefly. The Innocent Skier wasn't going to run them down. Bella Luna wasn't going to get her heart broken trying to bolster a larger horse's confidence.

Attitude and defiance filled Reese's brown eyes as she head Adele's call to Go. The Innocent Skier rolled right out, whipping into racing stride faster than Reese had been prepared for. Lulu's ears snapped back into her mane and she instantly kicked into gear, her body sweeping right out to reach for the turf just beyond her stride. Reese waited, letting The Innocent Skier to move ahead about a half-length. She needed Bella to get into stride and to realize what was going on. Her filly was no one's whipping girl. The filly shook her head, clanging her bit between her teeth.

Reese called to her, Come on girl! Show 'em what you've got for me. A shake of the reins and Lulu's attention was captured. She pushed mightily off of her rear end and surged forward, beyond The Innocent Skier and to a length advantage. The silver dappled filly settled into her floating cruising stride, letting Reese catch her bearings with the shock of speed. The woman shook her head, twined the reins in with locks of silver mane. That's it little girl! Cleverness flitted through Reese's eyes, darkening them til they were nearly black as flint. She halted all forward movement, went still as stone and let Bella Luna cruise up the backstretch, smooth as you please.

The last two furlongs would be interesting to say the least. There was a white filly, but there would be no white flag in this mock race. Witch Creek and Intrepid were still competitors despite the friendliness that had developed between the two stables.

Bella danced over the turf, mane and tail whipping behind her. She maintained a steady length advantage, holding her position despite the lack of encouragement from Reese. She was the kind of filly that knew that when she was doing something right, she shouldn't just stop. Her hooves beat quietly over the turf, ears relaxed to listen to Reese. This was the most important thing about Bella Luna. No matter how much stress she was being put under, she never acted as if she was stressed. She was relaxed and could become intense at the flick of a switch. A very dangerous opponent.</sub>

[Cavallo]

<sub>They had the lead and then as Adele peeked behind she saw the grey filly and Reese fly by as the filly finally found her stride. Adele's eyes locked onto the leading filly and she felt Ian do the same. There was a hardness that creeped into Adele's eyes and Ian's heart. Adele went lax on the reins and let Ian cruise a length behind the filly.

Adele was confident that Ian was one of her most intelligent rides. He knew when to go and when to cruise and it was the rare occasion that she had to urge or construct the large bay. The past few week s he just hadn't been interested in running against the same old horses, but here was this young filly. She was quick and lion-hearted and he wanted to chase her down. Adele could feel his desire in every casual stride. Externally he looked like a cool-cucumber, but inside Adele could feel the burning impending eruption. This was the boy she loved. The boy who loved to run and pass horses when they least expected it.

Adele and Ian's eyes were locked onto the prize and the desire was there, now it was only going to be a waiting game. Adele had to admire the filly. She was quick and extremely well-disciplined, but she felt she was almost too schooled...and pondered when she would see some real uninhibited passion from the filly. She made a mental note to be wary of the filly when they made their final bid.

Adele didn't urge Ian on anymore, there was no need to. The length lead was suitable for their purposes and it gave something to taunt the bay with. His stride was confident, but swift as he skimmed over the turf. His form wasn't fully extended, he knew how to run to save energy. It was the end he lived for and he was hoping for a challenge from this smaller youngster as he cruised smooth as you please into the backstretch, eyes never leaving his target. Adele smiled. She could feel Ian just thinking and calculating and she was just the happiest girl in the world. She was riding a tempest about to unleash.

Ian cruised behind Bella Luna in the back stretch and as they made the turn into the final drive, Adele felt her skin crawling with expectation. Ian began to inch ever so slightly forward. He didn't expel massive energy, but simply began to unfurl his legs a bit more. His long legs ate up the extra ground at little expense to the bay. Oh the beauty of riding a horse who knew how to use his rear end.
There was a wealth of untapped power in his churning haunches and he was saving up to unleash his torrent of speed, but like a lioness creeping up on its prey...he inched ever so subtly closer...almost hoping and daring for the filly to hear his approach and take up. It was much more fun to chase one's prey anyways.

Adele let Ian sit. The end was in sight close there was four furlongs left and now Ian was about a half-length behind the filly. The expectation and excitement was almost unbearable.</sub>

[Ripley]

Reese could feel The Innocent Skier breathing up Bella Luna's back as they cruised through the far turn. Bella wasn't tired in the least, her stamina was kicking in and surprisingly she felt very confident moving at this pace, over this distance. As if she could keep going and not stop. There was a power hidden within this silver-dappled filly that nearly competed with what Brooks said about Frozen Motion. She was a rock-solid filly, a consistent horse, almost like the true iron horse that Freeze was known to be.

As she swept through the far turn, tail flinging back like a cape made of snow, Reese was more confident than ever that Bella was much better than her two year old season might suggest. The filly was still relatively light in Reese's hands. Her ears were still flopping back and forth despite the pressure coming up along their outside. And Reese felt as if this filly had to be most deceptive mount she'd ever had. The most quiet, the most dangerously contained. A sweet filly with the bite of a rattler. Reese relaxed into the seat, moulding herself with the filly's smooth movement.

She glanced under her arm. They were at their haunches. The Innocent Skier and Adele. She wasn't moving yet and neither was Reese. Reese was dead silent and Bella was still on a relatively loose rein. The dark haired woman smirked and returned to the front. She had a load of horse and while The Innocent Skier was stronger and older, he was running against a horse who be coming into her prime in less than five months. With a flick of the wrist, Reese tightened the reins on Lulu.

In seconds, her stride went from relaxed and confident to flying and free. Her stride expanded rapidly as she spread her greyhound form over the course. There was no horse more beautiful in full flight than Pegasus herself. Her gallop was fast, but not frenetic. She traveled well within herself, ignoring the competitive fires of The Innocent Skier and merely listening to whatever Reese wanted. She was dangerously schooled for a racehorse, but freedom bloomed within those dark eyes. As the wind whipped through her icy mane, Reese could feel Bella getting stronger and stronger, beginning to pull on the bit.

And then Reese, confident that the filly could handle it for the moment, dropped the reins and sent her exploding. The woman's fingers latched onto Luna's main, a grin spreading across her face as the filly simply roared away from the older horse. Her head was slightly lower than her shoulders and she flowed like the ocean over the beach. Reese's eyes watered from the fierce flow of Bella's stride. She was a very deceptive mare. Reese glanced below her arm, siting the fact that The Innocent Skier was now three lengths behind. She knew he was revving up. The horse was ready for a big run, but so was Lulu.

And while she was the most relaxed horse, she had the intensity of a champion when locked into a dog fight. There would be no flag above their heads today. Reese turned back and prepared herself and her magnificent filly for the onslaught of the closing punch.

Ooc: This is easily becoming my favorite workout with Luna.