beginning of everything
the devil's hourglass, sincerely yours & limited edition
Ripley, Brooks and Maggie stood outside the yearling paddock, hands cupped around their eyes to shade their faces. They'd just successfully finished the fierce workouts of the entire racing string. Now, it was time to move on to the yearlings that would make their appearance next year, year thirteen. Witch Creek wouldn't have as big a reputation with the two year olds that they had this year. No string of two year olds could be strong in back to back years. However, Witch Creek still would have a powerful group, even if a bit more focused. It was time to get the trio going, but a few more seconds of admiring their youthful play wouldn't hurt anything. Ripley grinned as Limited Edition squealed and let loose a wildly playful buck before bolting after The Devil's Hourglass and Sincerely Yours. The slim chestnut was the tallest of the bunch though he was a little thinner than Sin. He was also the most dangerous of the group and he would more than test Maggie's full training/ handling capabilities. Hourglass threw her head up, bobbing her black mane away from that bold white star that graced her proud forehead. She flashed her teeth and swiveled on quick hooves, turning her frustrations onto Sin. Sin, a newly made gelding, whipped his cantankerous gray end around and threatened to kick. Hourglass squealed and then bolted up the hillside, kicking up clumps of grass. Her early season splints had healed up pretty well. She still wouldn't race in the prospect races, but at least Witch Creek would be able to get a handle on the Sand Storm filly.
We've sure got some spitfires in this next crop. Maggie said and sighed. The blonde was gaga over Limited Edition even if his violent temper would end in some sort of injury. The chestnut just had this brilliant flash in the pain sort of attitude toward him. The Gold Edition x Trust Limits colt was built to be a miler on the dirt and already he displayed this brilliant nature. He flashed after Hourglass, legs pumping, muscles bunching, to make an attempt at savaging the filly's beautiful rear end. Sin who had been grazing attentively suddenly took offense and roared up the hillside, not letting off the gas until he was beside Eddy. The icy gray horse with the black mane reared in the air, just missing Ed's jaw. Hourglass flicked her black tail and flattened her ears defensively at Sin. She could fight her own battles. The dark bay filly stepped back as the gelding and colt suddenly stopped fighting. The wind had changed. Human scent had carried up the hillside. The bay, chestnut and gray turned with narrowed eyes to stare at their human counterparts. Ripley nearly lost her breath at the sight of their intensity. These were her next set of racers, youthful and fiery, willing to learn.
We sure do. I've never worked with a gelding race horse, so I guess that's Ripley's mount for next year. Brooks said teasingly. His blue eyes were full of the bay filly with turf lines. The Devil's Touch's first daughter would be his mount if he had anything to say about it. She already exuded class and power with that deep chest and awesome back end. He loved riding turf horses and he understood turf fillies. Ripley surprisingly nodded in agreement. I've already decided Sin was going to be my horse. He's been my horse since he first came. Thankfully he's calmed a lot since he's been gelded. To support Ripley's statement, Sincerely Yours strutted down the hillside, black tail waving out behind him. Ripley sighed, but oh what a beautiful stallion the gray would have made. Violence was not necessary though in training and Ripley liked the gelding Sin a whole lot more than the studish colt Sin any day. Sincerely Yours placed his head on the top rail, eyes glowing in greeting, as if deciding the humans could lead his tiny herd out of the paddock.
Ed and Hourglass fluttered gracefully down the hillside, casting a few nips at one another, but more than happy to follow their leader. They settled in at the fence as well, eyes watching expectantly. They had no clue what they were in for today. Maggie reached up and patted Ed's copper neck and grinned when he flattened his ears. I'll take the nasty boy here. Eddy's gonna learn some manners today. Limited Edition squealed and darted away quickly, thundering up the hillside. The people laughed in exasperation when instantly, the galloping one turned into a stampede. Sin and Hourglass departed just as quickly, flinging up dirt and turf in their wake. WAY TO GO MAGGOT! Brooks yelled in annoyance. Now you're gonna have to go bring them all the way back down. The teasing 21 year old spun, very much like the horses had, made a break for the racing barn. Maggie and Ripley glared after him, shaking their heads. Men. They grinned at each other before energetically tackling the hill and their excitable horses.
...
Brooks managed to get the light tack and saddles out of the tack room by the time the woman came back with the three flighty two year olds. All of them had been training regularly under the lunge line and under tack for weeks now. It was time for them to accept riders as well. Brooks was more than ecstatic to be getting on the first foal of The Devil. The proud mama herself stood in her stall next to Ripley's office, staring as her rambunctious yearling daughter was led into the barn, bucking and squealing. She snorted and darted back in the stall. Brooks laughed. The Devil had never been much of a mother.
Ed, Hourglass and Sin walked into their stalls without human hands leading them, well accustomed to the usual return event. The yearlings poked their heads over curiously, looking for grain and/or hay. Instead of being met with food, they instead were met with grooming tools and tack. Limited Edition wasn't so keen on the whole event when Maggie stepped in without even a treat to her name. The chestnut tossed his head wildly and backed himself all the way into the corner of the stall. Maggie followed the colt about, not bothering to brush him or touch him, and always kept him moving. Ed was a nice size horse, but he had some room to move about. Maggie was content to play the chasing game and Eddy was growing more furious with each and every second. He danced sideways, flattened his ears and snaked his head at her. Unhappy with being forced to move, Limited Edition planted his hooves in the sawdust. Instantly, Maggie paused in her chasing. Limited Edition pricked his ears, moved his lips and was finally capable of standing in stock stillness. Maggie nodded with some satisfaction. Good Boy Eddy. Limited Edition whickered softly.
Hourglass was a different story all together for Brooks. The nicely built filly stood in absolute stand still, letting him touch her all over without so much as a care in the world. She loved being groomed, loved any sort of attention. No matter who the person was, if they greeted her with a peppermint and a cuddly body, Hourglass was willing to do whatever it took to please them. Brooks was satisfied with his future mount. She was a joy to work with and with lines such as her, Hourglass would be gliding fluidly over that turf track next year as a two year old. Ripley found that Sin was in between Limited Edition and Hourglass. The gray gelding wasn't as violent and destructive now that he was castrated. He stood when told to stand and did not defy every rule. Eddy defied every rule. Ripley found a stubborn streak running through the horse when it came to his hooves, but making a game out of picking them up sure did the trick. Soon he was lifting his hooves like a true gentleman.
The trio of yearlings accepted the bit and bridle. Recalling the first day that the equipment had been applied, it was like comparing apples to oranges. Sin had been a terror, Hourglass afraid and shaking in the back of her stall and Eddy had practically destroyed a saddle pad in the effort of getting it off his back. Now all of them stood kindly, only puffing up a bit when the girths were tightened around their bellies. Eddy glared at Maggie, but made no move to take up his dancing again. She soothed his hurt ego by stroking his inner ears. Instantly the yearling relaxed, completely at ease.
The humans led the yearlings out of the stalls, admiring their handiwork. Hourglass, Sin and Eddy all looked great beneath glinting leather. Ripley was extremely satisfied. This was her next generation of star racehorses. They were skinny and young now, but they looked like a very promising trio, especially when they aged. Ripley patted Sin's lean gray shoulder. We're going to mount up in here. Sin is more likely to be good on the lead so I'll be first. Follow in line children, Maggie and Brooks narrowed their blue eyes at her. Ripley giggled and turned to her mount. Sincerely Yours looked at her expectantly. They had a secret that neither Brooks nor Maggie knew. This wouldn't be Sin's first rodeo with a human on his back. Ripley'd been working with him bareback in the creek that'd given Witch Creek its name. The head trainer had heard that starting yearlings in water was better than on dry land. The water gave them something to focus on besides the human on their back and it gave a nicer cushion should the yearling object to the mounting. Surprisingly, it'd worked fairly well on Sincerely Yours even when he'd been a very unhappy colt.
Ripley gripped both reins in her left hand and swung aboard. Sin grunted when her butt hit the saddle, but made no move to bolt. He stood like a champ, gazing around at her leg as if he weren't very surprised about her presence on his back. Ripley felt the stares before she turned and saw them. Maggie's face was red in annoyance. You've done this before Ripley Marsh! Her voice was heated with faux antagonism. She'd wanted to see her best friend have a fight on her hands. Well the joke was apparently on Maggie. Brooks just shook his head as he usually did and gathered his reins. Ripley just lifted an eyebrow at Maggie until the woman turned away grumbling. Eddy danced away at her anger, but when she soothed him a gentle hand on his shoulder, the chestnut relaxed. Maggie sent a challenging look to Ripley as she gracefully swung aboard her lean Thoroughbred.
Eddy danced in place, chomped on his bit, but like Sin, Limited Edition made no move to run. Maggie and Ripley felt their horses gather nicely beneath them, each quite confident with the new addition to their bodies. Brooks was suddenly wary of Hourglass. The bay filly was tense as he moved his hand up her neck. Her eyes were fired up about something. Brooks held his breath as he put his foot in the stirrup. Hourglass tensed some more, ears flattening. He let out the breath when she made no move to take off and then swung his leg over the saddle. He'd barely got his balance when Hourglass became a cheetah beneath him. She shrieked, let a buck rip and tore off out of the barn. Ripley and Maggie called, but could do nothing as their gelding and colt were frozen in shock.
Brooks was stunned, eyes wide open atop the filly as she seemingly bolted down the gravel driveway and toward the dirt track. The Devil's Hourglass, his usually sweet pretty pony, had turned into a runaway train. The filly let loose buck after buck, fighting for control of the reins. She didn't stop. She launched herself over the grass, furious that a human would even attempt to mount her. Hourglass apparently had gotten some of the dangerous temper her mother was known for. Brooks was filled with fear. The filly was absolutely cruising toward the rail. He heard shouts from Justin and Connor as they bolted from the stallion barn to meet the filly at the track. Hourglass' black mane whipped as she charged the rail, stinging Brooks in the face as though it were made of needles. Her ears remained pinned, her eyes wild as ever. The rail roared up before them and then suddenly, Hourglass slid on her rear end and stopped dead in her tracks.
Brooks clung to the filly and pulled her head around before she could charge off in another direction. He'd thought he'd known what speed was, but honestly, it appeared as if he didn't have a clue. He pushed his face into the filly's mane, breathing heavily, still holding her with her head tucked deep into her broad chest. Ripley and Maggie trotted their horses down the hillside, faces white as snow. Sin and Eddy were controllable at least at the trot. Justin and Connor swarmed Hourglass and took the reins from Brooks' shaking hands. Silly girl... What are you doing? panted Justin. Connor looked Brooks over with worried eyes. You okay man? Brooks nodded in exasperation, but didn't remove himself from the filly's back.
Ripley and Maggie brought their horses to a halt next to Hourglass. Oh my lord. I wasn't expecting her to just bolt like that? I'm glad you're alive though! Ripley's voice was edged with fear and she brought Sin close enough to put a hand on Brooks' arm. She'd never felt this kind of absolute terror before. Brooks sat up and examined Maggie's pale face. She's got a touch of The Devil after all. God, I was so terrified, but I can't believe the speed I just felt. I almost want to do it again, but I think I'll avoid that for a while.
She was quite impressive, Maggie conceded. Brooks must be alright if he was more impressed by her sprint than by her take off. We'll just do a mild jog around the track. Mild meaning slow and steady. Ripley's voice was tinged with annoyance and she turned Sin through the gap with a sense of finality. Ferocity was more Ripley's style when she was scared out of her wits. Maggie directed Limited Edition after her and after a second, a heavy-breathing Hourglass kindly followed behind them. The trio moved easily over the dirt, eventually picking up a fluid jog around the track. None of the yearlings had a bouncy jog with Sin's being the smoothest according to Ripley. The auburn-haired woman stroked her mount, happy that he hadn't nearly lost his mind back in the racing barn. Eddy nearly had though. He'd just about taken off after Hourglass, but Ripley, with Sin's built help, had blocked his break for escape.
Sin was such a nice horse when under saddle. He was an angel. He did everything right even if they were only really tackling the simple stuff at the moment. Ripley was pleased with her western purchase. He dipped his head low, mouthed at the bit and strutted onward. Maggie found that Limited Edition was very much the same. He was more asleep at the wheel though. Like Van Guard, she had to constantly shake him up to keep him on the task at hand. He was the straight A student who lost attention very quickly due to ability to catch onto things. She was glad they'd snagged him from Dreamvalley Stables when they had. Maggie ran a hand down the colt's neck, pleased with her yearling and excited for the next year.
Brooks was silent the entire move around the track. Hourglass had scared him, but now he was dwelling on her overwhelming speed. There had been nothing as beautiful as the filly laying it all down, running headlong for the track. She'd raced across the ground like a champ, gripping the turf and not slipping once. Witch Creek had something in all three of their yearlings, but Brooks was confident the best something rested right beneath him in the molten bay body. Hourglass was cooled down already, but her run had not calmed the fire and hatred glinting in her eyes. She wanted this human gone, even if he happened to be her beloved Brooks. For now though, she was content to pretend she didn't mind this little jog.
We've sure got some spitfires in this next crop. Maggie said and sighed. The blonde was gaga over Limited Edition even if his violent temper would end in some sort of injury. The chestnut just had this brilliant flash in the pain sort of attitude toward him. The Gold Edition x Trust Limits colt was built to be a miler on the dirt and already he displayed this brilliant nature. He flashed after Hourglass, legs pumping, muscles bunching, to make an attempt at savaging the filly's beautiful rear end. Sin who had been grazing attentively suddenly took offense and roared up the hillside, not letting off the gas until he was beside Eddy. The icy gray horse with the black mane reared in the air, just missing Ed's jaw. Hourglass flicked her black tail and flattened her ears defensively at Sin. She could fight her own battles. The dark bay filly stepped back as the gelding and colt suddenly stopped fighting. The wind had changed. Human scent had carried up the hillside. The bay, chestnut and gray turned with narrowed eyes to stare at their human counterparts. Ripley nearly lost her breath at the sight of their intensity. These were her next set of racers, youthful and fiery, willing to learn.
We sure do. I've never worked with a gelding race horse, so I guess that's Ripley's mount for next year. Brooks said teasingly. His blue eyes were full of the bay filly with turf lines. The Devil's Touch's first daughter would be his mount if he had anything to say about it. She already exuded class and power with that deep chest and awesome back end. He loved riding turf horses and he understood turf fillies. Ripley surprisingly nodded in agreement. I've already decided Sin was going to be my horse. He's been my horse since he first came. Thankfully he's calmed a lot since he's been gelded. To support Ripley's statement, Sincerely Yours strutted down the hillside, black tail waving out behind him. Ripley sighed, but oh what a beautiful stallion the gray would have made. Violence was not necessary though in training and Ripley liked the gelding Sin a whole lot more than the studish colt Sin any day. Sincerely Yours placed his head on the top rail, eyes glowing in greeting, as if deciding the humans could lead his tiny herd out of the paddock.
Ed and Hourglass fluttered gracefully down the hillside, casting a few nips at one another, but more than happy to follow their leader. They settled in at the fence as well, eyes watching expectantly. They had no clue what they were in for today. Maggie reached up and patted Ed's copper neck and grinned when he flattened his ears. I'll take the nasty boy here. Eddy's gonna learn some manners today. Limited Edition squealed and darted away quickly, thundering up the hillside. The people laughed in exasperation when instantly, the galloping one turned into a stampede. Sin and Hourglass departed just as quickly, flinging up dirt and turf in their wake. WAY TO GO MAGGOT! Brooks yelled in annoyance. Now you're gonna have to go bring them all the way back down. The teasing 21 year old spun, very much like the horses had, made a break for the racing barn. Maggie and Ripley glared after him, shaking their heads. Men. They grinned at each other before energetically tackling the hill and their excitable horses.
...
Brooks managed to get the light tack and saddles out of the tack room by the time the woman came back with the three flighty two year olds. All of them had been training regularly under the lunge line and under tack for weeks now. It was time for them to accept riders as well. Brooks was more than ecstatic to be getting on the first foal of The Devil. The proud mama herself stood in her stall next to Ripley's office, staring as her rambunctious yearling daughter was led into the barn, bucking and squealing. She snorted and darted back in the stall. Brooks laughed. The Devil had never been much of a mother.
Ed, Hourglass and Sin walked into their stalls without human hands leading them, well accustomed to the usual return event. The yearlings poked their heads over curiously, looking for grain and/or hay. Instead of being met with food, they instead were met with grooming tools and tack. Limited Edition wasn't so keen on the whole event when Maggie stepped in without even a treat to her name. The chestnut tossed his head wildly and backed himself all the way into the corner of the stall. Maggie followed the colt about, not bothering to brush him or touch him, and always kept him moving. Ed was a nice size horse, but he had some room to move about. Maggie was content to play the chasing game and Eddy was growing more furious with each and every second. He danced sideways, flattened his ears and snaked his head at her. Unhappy with being forced to move, Limited Edition planted his hooves in the sawdust. Instantly, Maggie paused in her chasing. Limited Edition pricked his ears, moved his lips and was finally capable of standing in stock stillness. Maggie nodded with some satisfaction. Good Boy Eddy. Limited Edition whickered softly.
Hourglass was a different story all together for Brooks. The nicely built filly stood in absolute stand still, letting him touch her all over without so much as a care in the world. She loved being groomed, loved any sort of attention. No matter who the person was, if they greeted her with a peppermint and a cuddly body, Hourglass was willing to do whatever it took to please them. Brooks was satisfied with his future mount. She was a joy to work with and with lines such as her, Hourglass would be gliding fluidly over that turf track next year as a two year old. Ripley found that Sin was in between Limited Edition and Hourglass. The gray gelding wasn't as violent and destructive now that he was castrated. He stood when told to stand and did not defy every rule. Eddy defied every rule. Ripley found a stubborn streak running through the horse when it came to his hooves, but making a game out of picking them up sure did the trick. Soon he was lifting his hooves like a true gentleman.
The trio of yearlings accepted the bit and bridle. Recalling the first day that the equipment had been applied, it was like comparing apples to oranges. Sin had been a terror, Hourglass afraid and shaking in the back of her stall and Eddy had practically destroyed a saddle pad in the effort of getting it off his back. Now all of them stood kindly, only puffing up a bit when the girths were tightened around their bellies. Eddy glared at Maggie, but made no move to take up his dancing again. She soothed his hurt ego by stroking his inner ears. Instantly the yearling relaxed, completely at ease.
The humans led the yearlings out of the stalls, admiring their handiwork. Hourglass, Sin and Eddy all looked great beneath glinting leather. Ripley was extremely satisfied. This was her next generation of star racehorses. They were skinny and young now, but they looked like a very promising trio, especially when they aged. Ripley patted Sin's lean gray shoulder. We're going to mount up in here. Sin is more likely to be good on the lead so I'll be first. Follow in line children, Maggie and Brooks narrowed their blue eyes at her. Ripley giggled and turned to her mount. Sincerely Yours looked at her expectantly. They had a secret that neither Brooks nor Maggie knew. This wouldn't be Sin's first rodeo with a human on his back. Ripley'd been working with him bareback in the creek that'd given Witch Creek its name. The head trainer had heard that starting yearlings in water was better than on dry land. The water gave them something to focus on besides the human on their back and it gave a nicer cushion should the yearling object to the mounting. Surprisingly, it'd worked fairly well on Sincerely Yours even when he'd been a very unhappy colt.
Ripley gripped both reins in her left hand and swung aboard. Sin grunted when her butt hit the saddle, but made no move to bolt. He stood like a champ, gazing around at her leg as if he weren't very surprised about her presence on his back. Ripley felt the stares before she turned and saw them. Maggie's face was red in annoyance. You've done this before Ripley Marsh! Her voice was heated with faux antagonism. She'd wanted to see her best friend have a fight on her hands. Well the joke was apparently on Maggie. Brooks just shook his head as he usually did and gathered his reins. Ripley just lifted an eyebrow at Maggie until the woman turned away grumbling. Eddy danced away at her anger, but when she soothed him a gentle hand on his shoulder, the chestnut relaxed. Maggie sent a challenging look to Ripley as she gracefully swung aboard her lean Thoroughbred.
Eddy danced in place, chomped on his bit, but like Sin, Limited Edition made no move to run. Maggie and Ripley felt their horses gather nicely beneath them, each quite confident with the new addition to their bodies. Brooks was suddenly wary of Hourglass. The bay filly was tense as he moved his hand up her neck. Her eyes were fired up about something. Brooks held his breath as he put his foot in the stirrup. Hourglass tensed some more, ears flattening. He let out the breath when she made no move to take off and then swung his leg over the saddle. He'd barely got his balance when Hourglass became a cheetah beneath him. She shrieked, let a buck rip and tore off out of the barn. Ripley and Maggie called, but could do nothing as their gelding and colt were frozen in shock.
Brooks was stunned, eyes wide open atop the filly as she seemingly bolted down the gravel driveway and toward the dirt track. The Devil's Hourglass, his usually sweet pretty pony, had turned into a runaway train. The filly let loose buck after buck, fighting for control of the reins. She didn't stop. She launched herself over the grass, furious that a human would even attempt to mount her. Hourglass apparently had gotten some of the dangerous temper her mother was known for. Brooks was filled with fear. The filly was absolutely cruising toward the rail. He heard shouts from Justin and Connor as they bolted from the stallion barn to meet the filly at the track. Hourglass' black mane whipped as she charged the rail, stinging Brooks in the face as though it were made of needles. Her ears remained pinned, her eyes wild as ever. The rail roared up before them and then suddenly, Hourglass slid on her rear end and stopped dead in her tracks.
Brooks clung to the filly and pulled her head around before she could charge off in another direction. He'd thought he'd known what speed was, but honestly, it appeared as if he didn't have a clue. He pushed his face into the filly's mane, breathing heavily, still holding her with her head tucked deep into her broad chest. Ripley and Maggie trotted their horses down the hillside, faces white as snow. Sin and Eddy were controllable at least at the trot. Justin and Connor swarmed Hourglass and took the reins from Brooks' shaking hands. Silly girl... What are you doing? panted Justin. Connor looked Brooks over with worried eyes. You okay man? Brooks nodded in exasperation, but didn't remove himself from the filly's back.
Ripley and Maggie brought their horses to a halt next to Hourglass. Oh my lord. I wasn't expecting her to just bolt like that? I'm glad you're alive though! Ripley's voice was edged with fear and she brought Sin close enough to put a hand on Brooks' arm. She'd never felt this kind of absolute terror before. Brooks sat up and examined Maggie's pale face. She's got a touch of The Devil after all. God, I was so terrified, but I can't believe the speed I just felt. I almost want to do it again, but I think I'll avoid that for a while.
She was quite impressive, Maggie conceded. Brooks must be alright if he was more impressed by her sprint than by her take off. We'll just do a mild jog around the track. Mild meaning slow and steady. Ripley's voice was tinged with annoyance and she turned Sin through the gap with a sense of finality. Ferocity was more Ripley's style when she was scared out of her wits. Maggie directed Limited Edition after her and after a second, a heavy-breathing Hourglass kindly followed behind them. The trio moved easily over the dirt, eventually picking up a fluid jog around the track. None of the yearlings had a bouncy jog with Sin's being the smoothest according to Ripley. The auburn-haired woman stroked her mount, happy that he hadn't nearly lost his mind back in the racing barn. Eddy nearly had though. He'd just about taken off after Hourglass, but Ripley, with Sin's built help, had blocked his break for escape.
Sin was such a nice horse when under saddle. He was an angel. He did everything right even if they were only really tackling the simple stuff at the moment. Ripley was pleased with her western purchase. He dipped his head low, mouthed at the bit and strutted onward. Maggie found that Limited Edition was very much the same. He was more asleep at the wheel though. Like Van Guard, she had to constantly shake him up to keep him on the task at hand. He was the straight A student who lost attention very quickly due to ability to catch onto things. She was glad they'd snagged him from Dreamvalley Stables when they had. Maggie ran a hand down the colt's neck, pleased with her yearling and excited for the next year.
Brooks was silent the entire move around the track. Hourglass had scared him, but now he was dwelling on her overwhelming speed. There had been nothing as beautiful as the filly laying it all down, running headlong for the track. She'd raced across the ground like a champ, gripping the turf and not slipping once. Witch Creek had something in all three of their yearlings, but Brooks was confident the best something rested right beneath him in the molten bay body. Hourglass was cooled down already, but her run had not calmed the fire and hatred glinting in her eyes. She wanted this human gone, even if he happened to be her beloved Brooks. For now though, she was content to pretend she didn't mind this little jog.