Like An Old West Movie;; The Showdown At Noon

[Sam]

The colt bounced and jigged under me. As hyper active as he was, I could tell he was more energized then normal. Perhaps it was his bigger ego that Nut was gone and he was suppose to take her place, or perhaps it was he knew that his brother was on the property.

I had invited Bella- I had sold the colt to Kaylin she had passed away recently so Bella took over- to come over and hopefully get her colt a bit more competitive before his next race. Though I was competitive, I wanted my home bred babies to show off. Sure, I didn't want them to beat my own, but give some competition!

I heard that Streaks got a new rider. Jake, I believe. Quit ironic, I had hired a new guy named Jake to work with some of my horses just last week.

I couldn't keep on the thought long as Tim was growing more and more anxious. I gave a small chuckle and wiggled my fingers against his neck before wiggling the bit a tad and trying to keep his attention though it didn't seem to help one bit.

[kaylin]

The tall, bay colt pranced beneath me anxiously as we were led towards the turf track. Streaks ears perked forwards as another bay horse came into view. He watched the horse with interested, like a tiger watching his prey just before pouncing on it. Suddenly, Streaks let a loud whinny to the other horse, realizing it was his brother, surprising. He pushed forward, pulling the groom onto the track, eagerly wanting to go see his brother. The groom glared at the horse and let go of his bridle. I smiled and nodded a thank you.
Streaks pulled on the bit and hurried his way over to Tim, sticking his nose right up against his brothers face, shaking his head up and down, like a little child jumping in your face. I glared at Streaks and gave him a light tug on his reins, to get him to stop before he start to upset his brother. Streaks ears pinned back slightly and he took a step back. Hiya, you must be Sam, Im Jake... He said in a deep western tone.

[Sam]

Tim at first seemed completely and utterly dumbfounded by the familiar call by the other bay. Finally the numskull recognized his own twin. He squealed and struck out a front hoof as Streak came closer.

I laughed and smiled at the boy. Yup, I said with a nod as Tim eagerly sniffed at Streaks face, his nostrils even with his brothers for a moment until Jake pulled Streak away. Tim snorted and pinned his ears, as if he was insulted by such a motion. Oh, you are such a sissy, I mumbled to Tim, giving him a small pat on the neck nonetheless. My gaze settle upon Streaks and Jake once more. And this is Tim, I said giving the dark bay a small pat before my gaze rested on the lighter coat his brother. And I take it that's Streak? I asked with a small smile, though I knew without a doubt it was Steak. I've known the colt since he was a foal at Wild Streak's side. I could recognize him anywhere.

[kaylin]

I gave a goofy grin and nodded. Yep, this is Streak.. I said, and patted the colts neck. With mighty effort he stretched his neck out as far as he could, trying to reach his brother. I smiled as he watched the colt's action, watching how the two interacted with each other. It was kind of odd who they still knew each other, after what a year? Since the last time they raced against each other. So what are we going to do today? I asked, eyes looking over the track and its surrounding.

[Sam]

Tim reached forward as well, touching noises briefly before I turned Tim to face the track. He seemed slightly offended by that but only snorted to show is small annoyance.

I paused to think. My gaze followed his to the track. It was a little busy but nothing bad. Only ten horses actively raced so it was never too bad and I often got the track to myself. Feeling up to a mock race? I asked the Jake while wearing a small, playful smile playing on my lips. Just to get these guys a bit fired up for their upcoming races. Last I remembered, the twins were pretty competitive against each other over other horses. It would be interesting to see if this had changed over the course of a year.

[kaylin]

_{I nodded Yeah, that's fine... I spoke It would help Streaks out a lot.. I said and patted the bay colt neck, softly. Streaks gave a soft snort as I turned to colt to face the track, with his brother. Hopefully this race would make Streaks more competitive and he would quickly catch up to his brother. The colts mood did change while he was around his brother, made his racing would too?}

[Sam]

With a small nod I nudged Tim's sides. He threw his head high before he picked up a forward walk then a jigging trot. His head was bowed and his neck arched like a stallion in his prime. His dark coat, furry with the winter fuzz, gave off a dull shine in the winter sun.

I turned and said over my shoulder, we'll warm up separately. Meet me at the eight furlong marker. The colt shook his head as he trotted on and heading away from his brother to warm up his muscles without distraction.

[kaylin]

I gave a small nodded and watched as the two went off to warm up. I nudged Streak's side, and he took out in a high spirited walk, wanting to catch up to his brother. I gave a small tug on the reins to gain his attention, before cuing him to start trotting. The colts ears pinned back in annoyance, but his obeyed my command, and started to trot. We trotted for about fifteen minutes, and then I urged the colt into a canter. He went into a smooth canter, and we cantered for a few moments before I pointed him towards the 8 furlong pole where we waited for Sam and Tim to finish up their warmup.

[Sam]

After roughly fifteen minutes, I asked Tim to canter. He bobbed his head and bounced his body into his canter. It felt clean, crisp, and precise. It was irregular though, like many young horses, as he had yet to find his natural rhythm in his gait. I tried my best to correct it but like many things, it was simply something he had to figure out with time.

Minutes passed and I began to turn him towards the eight furlong marker. When I spotted Streak and Jake waiting there, I gave Tim a small push with my legs and let the colt quickly his canter to a near gallop for the last furlong. While standing up and pulling the reins with me, I slowed the colt until we came to a halt at the invisible line of the eight furlong marker.

Ready? I asked. Without waiting for a response I continued, On three good for you? I asked as I held Tim as still as I could but the colt fidgeted restlessly.

[kaylin]

_{I nodded. Yea, that's fine. I said. Streaks impatiently pawed the ground and stepped forward. I gave a light tug on the reins, remaindering the colt who was in charge. Streaks snorted, ears pinning slightly back. I got ready, waiting for Sam to say Three.}

[Sam]

One, I started.

Tim grew still for a mere moment but it didn't last long. His head bobbed and he chomped impatiently on the bit, tugging once before dancing from one side to the other. His twin ears pinned for a moment before flickering foward eagerly.

Two.

Tim threw his head and stomped his front hoof heavily. His hind end dancing to the side closer to his brother and he grew frustrated when I stopped his advancements but I still refused to let him cross the invisible line at the eight furlong marker.

Three!

I let the colt erupt from under me. With one large push from his hind legs, Tim was galloping down the backstretch. His legs made quick work of the turf with large powerful strides. With a quick swerve to the rail, he dashed in and tried to get in front of Streak before his lighter colored brother could cut in.

[kaylin]

On three, Streak and I took off, wanting to take over the rail, but Tim got there first. I urged the colt faster, thinking of trying to run past the other colt, but then I thought real quick. I smiled at my great plan and pulled the colt back a bit, allowing him to run at Tim's heels.
Our plan, well mine at least, Im not sure what Streaks is, but any way. My plan was to run at Tim's heels, and just push him to run faster, and maybe trier him out? And just at the end we would dash our when in the lead and win? Im not sure but that was the plan so far.

[Sam]

I could feel Tim grow frustrated under me. Confused, I looked down and between my knees. Streaks was right on his heels. Gritting my teeth, I slowed Tim down and pulled him closer to the rail. He wanted to go faster and pulled against my fingers but I kept him steady. Tim had the speed to probably pull ahead if it turned into a speed race, well at least that was what I thought. Streaks has changed since I last saw him.

But either way, Tim was going to play it nice and slow until Streaks lets off. I'll just have to play the rest of the race by ear.

[kaylin]

Streaks pulled forward, wanting to go faster, out run his brother. Easy. I said softly and gave a light tug on the reins. We were quickly gaining on Tim, but we weren't going faster? Oh. Then it clicked, Sam must of slowed Tim down some? I thought of my next action. I smiled as I got a bright idea, well I thought.
I gave Streaks some rein, urging him to go faster, gaining quickly on his brother, trying to pass him now. Steady now. I whispered softly to Streaks. The bay colt charged ahead, digging his hooves deep into the turf, trying to get ahead.

[Sam]

I glanced to the side to spot Jake and Streak gaining on us. I ran my fists up his neck twice, letting him pick up speed before I steadied him. I allowed his brother to play catch up for a bit before I had Tim even his speed with him. Streak's head was even with my Tim's shoulder. I considered pushing Streaks to the outter part of the track but decided against it and decided to give Tim a fair race.