fighting fire with fire

TRUE FIRE AND BLAZE BRYANT Grimacing slightly as the colt hopped sideways, pretending to be frightened of something, I remember that the colt was truly a handful. I reminisced back to before he was sold when I'd helped to break him in, never thinking that I'd actually ever be his regular rider. True Fire had come back to Star Thoroughbreds, because the people that bought him had gone bankrupt and could no longer afford to keep their farm. Nudging the dark bay thoroughbred's sides with my heels, I managed to get him moving forward.

Fire trotted energetically, with quite alot of bounce. I ignored this, learning quickly to rise and sit in time with his fast strides. After a little while, and plenty more little hops and starts, I pressed the colt on into canter. At least his canter was smooth, and now in the fast pace he was less likely to stop and start like an idiot, but more likely to take off on me. Good boy I praised him after a little while. He hadn't misbehaved since we'd been cantering. As we completed a lap of cantering, I glanced over at his trainer and got the go ahead to gallop. We were just giving him a good gallop today, and testing his times. This workout would decide whether he was ready to race in September or not.

Crouching lower, I took a handful of mane and asked the colt to gallop. True Fire excitedly broke into gallop immediately, surging forward into the faster pace energetically. I let him run off his feelings for a furlong, then rated the colt to a more appropriate pace for completing a whole mile. He was just two, after all, and at that age most young horses didn't have the stamina yet. Fire objected at first, with a toss of his head, but then seemed to give in.

In no time, we were halfway through, and the three furlong pole wasn't so far away. I was supposed to start driving him on then. As the pole flashed by, I showed the colt the whip, and started to drive him faster. True Fire was definitely happy to oblige, and quickly increased his pace. His breathing came in shorter, faster breaths as he fully extended his legs and took powerful strides. A wave of exhilaration swept through me. He was fast! All too soon, I had to bring him back down to canter, then trot. Turning back to the gap I noticed James also had a smile on his face. Think he's ready? I asked, a little breathlessly. James nodded, his smile splitting to show a grin. He's ready!