A Little Short Sighted

[Sam]

Horses

Shell Shock and Key to Flight

Jockys/Others

Samantha Lettington on Shell Shock (Shelly), Jake Jones on Key to Flight (Keegan), and Ipo Gladstones (Just hanging out)

Purpose

Getting Jake and Keegan acquainted and to teach Shelly a lesson

The colt was friendly enough. He had come right up to me when I caught him but was far too... ADD, I guess you could say. Or perhaps ADOS is more corrected. (ADOS is Attention Defic- Ooh Shiny!)

Someone sounds annoying, Ipo commented from my side. The colt danced on the end of the reins though every now and then he would freeze and look at something far off before chewing noisily on his bit.

You're telling me! I replied, tugging a bit on a rein to grab his attention. It lasted for a few seconds. I hate being the newbie, I complained. Newbies always get stuck with the horses no one wanted to deal with. Not that that was too bad of a thing. No one would try and steal my rides and hopefully, the energetic horse had just as much speed as he did energy.

Oh, quit whining, came Ipo's completely unsympathetic reply. I've been down by the track while you were getting Mister Key to ADD over there. Most of the horses sound like brats. Ok, so maybe she had a point. I gazed out at the horses already working on the track ahead of us and noticed how most were prancing excitedly and tossing their weight around to try and get their way. At least you don't have a nasty one, she added.

I had to agree. Keegan may have a short attention span but he wasn't a jerk or anything. It seemed to be in all good fun for him.

I'll stay here, Ipo said as she stopped at the outter rail, leaning on her elbows lazily. Have fun with Mr. Shorter - Attention - Span - Than - A - Squirrel!

I just chuckled and shook my head as I managed to get Keegan to stand still long enough for me to get on the mounting block and heavy myself on.

Keegan nearly trotted off in excitement. I pulled him back to a walk and he shook his head before his attention went to a horse and rider galloping down the track. He stared for a moment before he dipped his head and played with his bit again.

With a roll of my eyes and a silent 'thank you' to the inventors to blinders. Surely the gray dappled colt wouldn't be able to figure out where to place his feet if he could see the whole track.

I pushed Keegan on. He bobbed his head and bunches his muscles and took off in a quick trot. I managed to post to it easily, though I was still getting use to the short stirrups. My stirrups weren't even racing length. It was still far too short for me. I still posted on Keegan's back as best I could, though it was awkward feeling and probably looked funny as well.

Sam told me the colt might be racing in the upcoming Spring Cup. She was thinking of letting me take Wild Card along with my current mount, Key to Flight. I was excited to have my first race.

Hey! Sam called to me upon a feisty filly I believed to be named Shelly. She trotted her hot gray racer closer, but not too close. Just out of kicking range, I observed. Want to race?

I smiled and nodded. Sure. A mock race would definitely help me if I was going to be in a race in two weeks.

Meet me over at the ten furlong marker when you are done warming up, she said, nearly over her shoulder as the overly excited filly attempted to bolt off.

I gave Keegan a pat in sudden appreciation for not being that riled up. At least Ipo was right, though I'm not going to tell her that. Keegan and Ace definitely weren't the worst two out here, by a long shot.

Finally, after fifteen minutes, I had the colt cantering. Every now and then he would try and stop to investigate something but after a few disciplinary pops with the whip, he gave up on that habit.

Now to find the ten furlong marker!

I found a marker and cantered around the track, then realized when I got to the second marker, I was heading the wrong way and doubled back.

A figures were standing alone by a marker. It was dancing and couldn't seem to hold still. I instantly recognized the fidgeting pair as Sam and Shelly.

Just a quick little race, she began. Shelly has the tendency to think she can do whatever she wants. If I pull up, slow just a tad but don't ruin your run. We'll catch up. We might not win, but we'll catch up, she said with an evil smile to the filly. I had the feeling she would run the filly to the ground just to teach her the valuable lesson of Listen to me! Dammit!

Can't say I can blame Sam though. Shelly was a big filly at nearly seventeen hands and if she decided to do her own thing and refused to listen, you (and really anyone in your way) were in a load of trouble.

I nodded and moved Keegan into line on the outside of Sam and Shelly, though I gave her a wide girth. The filly was growing even more excited and her front hooves skidded the dirt.

On three! Sam called out, pressed the filly down onto all fours.

One! she said.

The gray filly reared up again, her knees bending dramatically but she did not reach her full height.

Two! Sam called loudly, evidence of her anxiety to get the horse moving so she couldn't rear. I've seen horrid falls from rears and I'm sure she's had her fair share of bad falls.

I focused on my horse now as I realized we were about to go. I grabbed his attention by playing with his bit and got into position. I grabbed a fist full of mane and held it tight with the rein. When the colt went, I didn't want to pull at his mouth and accidentally tell him to slow.

Three!

I asked with a shift of my leg and the colt bolt off, eager to stretch his legs. I allowed Keegan to take the lead and held his speed steady. A peek back revealed that Shelly had gone into a rearing fit.

Shelly shook her head viciously, her eyes rolling white in fury as she pulled up her front half yet again. I could see Sam gritting her teeth and trying her best to keep her body relax. The filly landed for a heartbeat and I heard several loud pops and then the gray filly bolted.

The filly was a terrible sight to see, tearing at the dirt and digging deep to catch up. Shelly didn't seem to mind being able to sprint towards us, but Sam looked pissed.

Soon she was nearly at Keegan's heels. The colt didn't seem to notice and instead seemed to have gone off in a daze, galloping simply on auto pilot.

We were half way around the back stretch now and I could hear Sam mumbling to Shelly behind us, just barely over the thunder of twelve flying hooves. I peeked back again to spot Sam standing straight up in the stirrups with her reins short and pulling hard. Shelly's ears were pinned so far into her gray mane, that they were not visible. Her nostrils were flared and she was pulling at the bit in anger but Sam wasn't letting up. Finally, the filly broke her rhythm and slowed.

Sam crouched back into position and relieved the pressure on her bit but Shelly still seemed mad about the whole issue.

I turned back and held Keegan steady as we made our way around the corner. The colt seemed to finally focus, though he was momentarily distracted by Ipo waiting on the outer rail (something probably went through his head along the lines of Oh! Hey! I know her!! I know her! Oh- A turn!)

Shelly and Sam were at our heels again but this time Sam seemed pleased about it. I was frankly surprised the filly still had the energy to run. This is just proof that Shelly had some heart in her! (Though maybe the more correct term would be guts...)

We were nearly at the stretch and I asked Keegan to speed up a bit. (Sam told me later that my last sprint was a tad slow and explained where a good sprint should start.) The colt responded, but a tad too strongly. I gave a small half halt and had him slowly lay on the speed.

Shelly was beside us but her head was high with excitement and adrenaline. Sam wouldn't need to run this filly into the ground, Shelly would do it herself if allowed.

The track straightened into the stretch and I turned the colt completely loose. Sam also gave Shelly her head and for several strides, she was ahead of Keegan and I but slowly she began to burn out, but I could still see how her muscles rippled and she pulled at the bit, trying to gain her speed back but her tired legs wouldn't allow it.

It was an easy victory for Keegan. The colt sprinted on anyways though, seeming to thrive in the feeling of being the winner.

Soon the wire were over our heads and I began to slow Keegan down. Once again his attention diminished and instead of responding to my hands, he stared off track the pastures in the distance.

I smiled and grabbed his attention with a wiggle of the rein as Sam and Shelly slowly caught up with us.

Nice job with him, she said with a pleased smile. I think you're ready for the Spring Cup, she said rather breathelss from the mock race.

I smiled rather bashfully. Thanks! I ruffled Keegan's mane. I hope so! He's definitely ready!

Sam nodded and let Shelly canter past us as I slowed even further. I turned and jogged the tired Keegan to the gate where Ipo waited alertly.

How did he sound? I asked casually as I slowed Keegan to a walk and let him walk off the track.

Well, Ipo began with her classic smirk. Her blind eyes landed on Keegan's neck, though it seemed to stare right past it. Depends on whether you were leading around the final turn or not.

I gave a small laugh and kicked my boots out of my stirrups, letting them hang limply down Keegan's side. We were leading. Keegan turned and nuzzled his nose into her chest curiously. Her small hands rested on the side of his muzzle and a smile came upon her lips.

Then you sounded in control, she said with a small chuckle as her hands rubbed his muzzle gently.

Come on, I said as Keegan raised his head so his nose was even with her face. His breathe, still breathing rather heavily from the race, blew her hair out of her face for a moment before it fell back into place. Let's go on a walk around the barn until he cools down.

She nodded in agreement as I nudged Keegan on with Ipo's hand laid on Keegan's shoulder.


Word Count 1,879