Post by Cavallo on Jun 22, 2012 16:55:35 GMT -5
The time had finally come! Two long years of anticipation and now here it finally was!! Michael felt like a giddy school boy as he practically raced into the bar and then...BAM! Michael ran smack dab into Kyle.
Kyle and Michael landed with a thud and slowly each sat up on their palms.
Ouch Michael...really could you please NEVER run into the barn EVER again?! Kyle and Michael both stood each rubbing their rears. With a sheepish grin Michael muttered an apology to his cousin.
Sorry Kyle...I was just in a rush to go grab Atropa....
Kyle rolled his eyes...Of course you were....Mike you're as bad with Atropa as I am with Attie.
Michael smiled, he almost felt honored by the intended insult. If Atropa was anything like Atalanta then this year was going to be one of the best in his career.
Kyle turned and continued to walk on toward whatever errand he was on and Michael quickly spun on his heels and rushed towards the paddocks.
The sight he saw thoroughly amused him. Rushing along the fenceline was a black bay filly and in the other paddock a much older black bay mare. Atropa was working furiously to keep up with the more seasoned Atalanta. There was a glint of mischief in Attie's eyes as she unfairly teased the younger filly, but Atropa was not one to be slighted and Michael was actually impressed with how she was holding herself.
Nightshade was born to run. The year was almost over and in a two weeks, Atropa would officially be two and hitting the tracks. Michael couldn't wait. It was going to be a busy year racing both here and at GHF, but he knew they could handle it.
Michael gave his signature whistle and Atropa spun on a dime as she raced across her paddock to the gates, leaving Atalanta challenging along her fenceline, almost bummed that her competition had been called away.
Nightshade flung her head atop the top rail, eagerly awaiting her customary greeting of scratches and coos. Michael was her man. That fact alone sent her into a temper tantrum whenever she saw him with Firebird, his other charge, but today there was no Fire. Today was solely about Nightshade.
Hey girl...come on let's go we have a busy day today. Michael walked in and clipped her lead line. They exited the paddock and the pair jogged up to the barn, the filly tossing her head in a dominant fashion. She felt the excitement in the air and somehow knew that it was all about her.
Entering the barn aisle, Michael clipped her into the cross-ties and began her grooming process, she fairly purred, basking in the attention and the grooming from her human.
There you go gorgeous girl! He slapped her neck affectioately and she bowed her head in a regal display.
Let me grab your gear. Michael quickly called for a stable hand and they came carrying all of her racing gear. As usual, Atropa made the girth strap a game as she sucked in her gut....
Atropa really??... He tried to be annoyed, but it just wasn't possible. He fiddled with it till it was cinched just right and then grabbed her bridle.
He fed her the bit and she took it with a shake of her head, her mouth fiddling with the metal piece in her mouth. Good girl. he slid the rest over her ears and grabbed the reins and unclipped her from the ties.
Alright! Let's go!!
She let loose an excited squeal and side-stepped slightly as Michael led her out of the barn They then began their walk to the dirt track.
They reached the track and surveyed the new area. Well...might as well get accustomed to this place girl...we'll be here a lot.
He led the filly onto the track as he led her about. Atropa's eyes flitted about, moving with a high stepping action. She was all wonder as her took in her new domain. She let loose a shrill cry over the tracks as if claiming this place as her own. Michael smiled at his gal's antics...yes it was safe to say that Nightshade felt right at home.
