Time To Shine

[Deleted]

AKUMABUELLE && VAN GUARD
WARM UP FOR THE BC YEARLING SHOW
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<sup>Although, Hailey was stressing about Terror Smile, she had more things to worry about. The Breeder's Cup Yearling Show was coming up quick and TKR was sending two of their yearlings, Akumabuelle and Van Guard, both new additions to the stable. However, Hailey had no doubt in her mind that these two had the best pedigrees of the yearling crops. Eavesdropper had the looks, but these two had the pedigree to go along with their looks.

Akumabuelle was sired by Akuma Battlecry and out of Deabuelle. Both grandsires, Admiral's Revenge and True Enough were amazing racehorses and studs. Admiral's Revenge was the first legendary Triple Crown winner and True Enough was a Hall Of Fame inductee. If you asked, Hailey, she would say that's about as close as you can get to champion lines. Van Guard was sired by Native Flame and out of Thanks For The Memories. Native Flame was a grade three racehorse that won most of his races. He is the sire of Fire Dancer, a grade four racehorse. Thanks For The Memories is the dam of The Devil's Touch as well. Both of them have champion lines.

Today, Hailey was going to get the used to things that they would have to do at the show. She pulled both of the yearlings out of their stalls and put them in the crossties. Akumabuelle was already comfortable with a saddle on her back an a bit in her mouth but Hailey didn't know about Van Guard. She hadn't got much time to work with Vans but she entered him into the show anyways, just because of his lines and looks. She saddled Akumabuelle quickly and then once she was all saddled, she brought a saddle and blanket over to where Vans was standing. He eyed in deviously and swung his hindquarters over away from Hailey, staring at the saddle. "Alright, there is only one way we are going to do this." She placed the saddle pad on the colt's back, easily enough. He lifted his gaze from the saddle to look elsewhere and Hailey placed it on his back. Vans flicked his ears back quickly. Hailey nodded, "Shh. That's a good boy." She had a feeling that he had done this before, being the hot tempered horse he is.

She strapped up his girth without him throwing a fit and then smiled. "That was easy, enough." Hailey then unclipped him from the crossties along with Akumabuelle and lead both of them beside each other. Hailey stopped and sighed, observing the two horses. Vans didn't seem too aggressive towards Ella but it would be better if they were afar a bit, like how they would be at the show. Hailey looked around and spotted Becky, who was starting to pick up working again. She was washing out a bucket and Hailey figured that she wasn't too busy. "Becky! Can you can help me?" She looked up quickly and set down her bucket before heading over to Hailey. "Yeah. What's up?" Hailey held out Ella's lead shank, "Can you lead her behind me out onto the track? I need to get them used to being lead with other horses around them." Becky nodded, "Sure." She took up Ella's lead rope and waited until Hailey had lead Vans away a little bit to start leading Ella.

They had walked around the track for a little bit and they both seemed unbothered, bored even. "Now, there will be a large crowd at the real show but I don't think it should phase them much. If it would phase one of them, I would think Vans. Take Ella up in front now." Hailey stopped the dark bay colt and Becky lead the spunky filly up to the front. She seemed excited by the change of order. "Good boy," Hailey whispered to Vans who still seemed a bit bored at a walk. She see the longing in his eyes to run now that they were on the track. "Alright, now take her to the gates... Don't load her!" Hailey called up to Becky. Becky gave a quick nod before turning the filly towards the gate.

Becky stopped her as they neared the gates and stroked her neck, "Good girl-" she raised her voice so that Hailey could hear, "What now?" Hailey lead Vans up in front of them, "I'll take him first and show you what to do." She continued walking him up to gate and then stopped him a couple feet in front of it. He stretched his neck, eager to get into the gate but did not step forward. He stood there for ten seconds and then Hailey nodded, "Good boy." She patted his neck and he threw his head in reply. She then turned him around and walked past Ella, "Alright, your turn." Becky nodded and walked up to the gate. Ella trotted up behind her with a swish of her tail and stopped in front of it. Becky patted her neck and Ella stayed calm. She looked around and then at the gate, ears perked forward, prepared to do as she was told. Becky nodded, "Good girl." She turned Ella around and smiled, "How was that?" Hailey nodded, "Good. They will be looking for calm compostitions at the show... I think that's good enough for today."

With Hailey's words, Becky lead Ella away and Hailey followed with Vans trotting at her side, eager to run. Hailey smiled slighty and patted his neck, "Not today boy. Nor at the show." Vans snorted and pranced at Hailey's side all the way back to the barn, showing off for anyone watching. Ella walked with her head held high with light and bouncy steps, never walking in front of Becky. Hailey nodded, "I think they are ready for the show." Becky smiled, "Yeah, me too." Hailey could tell that Becky was enjoying getting back into working at the stables. She just had been too out of sorts when she hadn't been working but now she was in high spirits. "Can you put them up?" Hailey asked when they got back to the barn and had unsaddled them. Becky nodded and grinned, "Yes, of course!" Hailey smiled, "Alright, I'll see you guys in the morning for the real thing."

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