People: Charlie Burke Jr, Kirsten Jade, Chantal LeBlanc
Place: Akita Rose Stables Dirt track
Date: December 8 2013 (January Week One)
She's back...
why do I feel so nervous?
Chantal bit her lip in concentration and urged the beautiful chestnut mare into a slow gallop. She could feel the eyes of Kirsten and Charlie on her back. She was excited that the stable was back but for some reason she had a bad feeling in her gut. She didn't know why because now that Kirsten was back they were all going to get their chance on the racetrack again.
Everyone was excited. Melanie practically glowed with happiness and hasn't even snapped at her once this week. Chantal was still unsure about her feelings. She had gotten comfortable at the ARS farm doing workouts every morning and working with the weanling and yearling training. Was something wrong with her? She was a jockey for goodness sake...
The reins felt light in her hands as her mount obeyed her every command. That was Mouse for you, she was quiet and obedient and for that reason she was easily underestimated. The racing world is going to be surprised when they see how much Mouse has improved. The mare now had a quiet confidence and a spirit to run as fast as she can. Having been off for awhile has really changed the mare's attitude towards the track. She took workouts seriously and flicked her head after every breeze, obviously proud of herself. It was good to see the confidence that Mouse needed to be able to take on a whole field of horses. Now if only Chantal had that same confidence...
"Chantal", she turned her head to find Charlie mentioning to her. The young jockey turned Mono Monstorm towards the rail and approached nervously to see what the head trainer wanted. "Are you okay?" Chantal nodded and checked Kirsten's reaction quickly from the corner of her eye. "Why?" She asked cautiously. Kirsten regarded the young blonde sharply. Chantal avoided her gaze but could feel the owner's eyes burning a hole into the back of her helmet.
Charlie cleared his throat. "Well, okay then. No reason I suppose. Now, Kirsten wants to see Mouse in full stride so take her to the quarter pole and run her flat for 4 furlongs, have her increase her speed each furlong. Got it?" Chantal nodded and gave Charlie a thumbs up. She didn't trust herself to speak. She turned Mouse back towards the inside rail and let her out slowly. Chantal just knew Kirsten could see right through her fake confidence.
They were nearing the quarter pole, Chantal prepared her seat for the surge of speed that was sure to come. "Go!" Mouse flicked her ears back and took off across the track. Chantal held on to the reins to save some horse for the final furlong. Faster and faster they went. Chantal saw the last pole coming up and gave the mare full rein. Mouse bounded ahead with her new found passion.
Before Chantal could even enjoy the speed of the chestnut beautiful the ride was over. She stood in the stirrups and pulled back on the reins. Mouse tossed her head with pleasure and slowed her pace. She wanted to keep running. "Soon enough, Mouse, soon enough."
"So?" Chantal asked breathlessly as they made it back to the rail. Charlie looked up from his clipboard and gave her a tight smile. Kirsten shuffled over and gave Chantal an unidentified look. "It's nice to see Mouse with some confidence. I hope you realize that horses can sense their riders emotions. If you don't gain confidence in yourself then your mounts will lose theirs. I want to see Mouse win on Sunday or I will be riding her myself from then on." With that, Kirsten turned and strode towards the training barn. Chantal dropped her jaw and looked at Charlie. The trainer shrugged and turned to follow Kirsten. Chantal gulped. Now she knew why she had a bad feeling in her gut... the boss was back.