Post by Cavallo on Dec 12, 2014 9:45:38 GMT -5
Natural Selection & Estella Marino - Prep For the BC Yearling Show
Ethan Marino stared down the unyielding yearling as the bay colt balked at being led from the warmth of the barn into the old morning air, but Ethan was relentless and King knew better than to truly fight the man on matters - he always got what he wanted eventually. Estella watched in amusement at the long awaited Natural Selection giving her brother a run for his money. "Looks to me like you could use a woman's touch brother," she teased as she followed them both out from the barn, King's ears swiveling to pinpoint her location. She smiled up at her brother and stood back to admire the colt in the morning light. This was a true blue turfer and her mouth watered at the potential that stood before her. His form was lean and sleek, his bay hide reflecting back the morning light in a bright sheen. She stepped forward palm extended to the colt as he whiffed her scent and silently nuzzled her palm looking for treats or extra affection. Ethan snorted and rolled his eyes at the easy repoire she had already built with King and knew he'd chosen wisely when matching the pair. Estella simply smiled up at her brother and extended her other palm, asking for the reins. He smiled and willingly obliged as she patted the colt's neck and continued their path through the barn aisles to the turf track here at The Wire.
King was alert and intuitive, taking in all of his surroundings with curiosity, but following his handler's lead with a willingness that spoke of his already developing trust in the small woman as Ethan trailed in their wake. He watched the smooth action of the Merry Bay King son as glided so effortlessly over the ground, his scope wide and easy. This was a colt that was confident in his body, at ease with his movement and wielded that knowledge with a natural arrogance. Eyes taking in everything and his will asserting almost instantly. The only conceding factor Ethan had really witnessed in King's attitude was whenever he or Estella was in control, but even then there was still push-back with him. It was easily solidified that Estella was his person and while others might have brief sway, it was Stella who held the colt's respect and esteem.
It wasn't normal for Intrepid to perform their workouts on location here, but what King needed was exposure. No amount of self-confidence could ever fully compensate for actual experience in situations and while they had been working year-round with the colt and all the other yearlings, sometimes a change in scenery was really needed in order to shake them up and get true undiluted exposure.
Stell couldn't help the pride she felt at having King by her side. She saw the admiring glances and knew what they saw. The saw a racehorse legend in the making, with intelligent eyes and a commanding air - the raw materials all present for the formation of the upcoming juvenile season. Sure, there was work to be done, no thoroughbred had been born perfect, but Stella liked to think that there was something special about King. He just knew who he was and what he was about and that would always give him an advantage no matter what he put his mind to. His nose flared too take in all the sites and sounds as they emerged from the barn area and graced the entrance to the track. Horses breezed with relish and cool, calm perfection. She felt King's body quicker with the need and anticipation to give pursuit, but a calming hand on his shoulder had the colt nuzzling her shoulder, before turning to stare down the next horse that was breezing by. Ethan chuckled and Stella smiled back at him. "Well at least he's got his mind in the right place.." He teased as they both watched the colt who's eyes were riveted on the passing breezer. He snorted and danced in place in slight frustration, not sure why they were standing still when everyone else was moving. "We're taking it easy, just gates and exposure today." They waited for a lull in traffic as they made for the outside and approached the gates.
King looked intently forward at the metal contraption. He tucked his head in, his chest puffed as though to intimidate the metal beast, but Stella's hand gave him the extra confidence he needed to once again conquer the monster. They'd worked with the gates hundreds of times, but familiarity was what they wanted and as King reached an inquisitive nose out to the gates, he huffed then in dismissal and nudged Stella again to let her know he was finished. She rolled her eyes and instead led the colt closer to the gates and then proceeded to walk him through. He balked initially for a moment as a galloping horse went around the gates, but focused again to follow Estella forward. Ethan watched in supervision and nodded as the colt grew acclimated to the track. Things would be new for a little while, but King was showing trust in Estella and a boldness that was helping him overcome challenges.
It would be interesting to see how this colt's first simple steps in training would eventually turn into the thundering approval of a champion. Everything big always started out small.
