Faith In Shadows

[Melissa]

_{The dark bay filly tossed her head as she pranced along over the track. At three years old Faith In Shadows had matured and grown into a nice looking filly. "Steady babe, easy now." Melissa murmured gently to the young filly. Pricking her ears forward Faith's breaths showed in the cold early morning air.
The sun was slowly coming up but it sure was chilly this early in the morning. Nudging her filly forward into a canter Melissa sighed, ears full of Faith's hoofbeats and sharp breaths. At that moment the sun burst out from behind a cloud enveloping Faith's sleek dark body in a dazzling array of blinding sunlight.
Leaning her arms forward and taking up some of the slack in the reins Melissa clucked and gave Faith a quick show of the whip. The bay filly pinned her ears back and leaped powerfully into a brisk-paced gallop. Playing lightly with Faith's bit Melissa waited and listened. The Determination daughter had a slight hard mouth and sometimes just flat out wouldn't listen but those moments were few and very far in between.
"Come on lady. You can do much more than this." Melissa said with a grin and showed Faith the crop again before tapping the three year old lightly with it.
Melissa's hands moved up slightly but not by much, this work was to see how much Faith could do with her rider still having most of the reins. Screaming into the early morning sky just like a hawk coming for it's prey the dark colored filly swished her tail and her ears grew even flat against her head before propelling herself forward into a furious gallop.
"Holy crap Faith." Melissa said with a whistle, the words being tossed into the wind. Prince could fly when asked but Faith was a freight train. Her mind was completely concentrated on the bay filly beneath her. As they came down and around the turn Melissa slowly brought Faith's workout to a close slowly so the filly wouldn't get too cold to fast.
Faith's sides rose and fell as she was walked out for her cool down. The flash of a camera startled the nervous filly and she nearly took off. "Why can't they leave us alone?" Melissa said bitterly to Faith who tossed her head and danced. "They aren't doing me or you any good." Sadly, reporters usually were swarming around, most steeming from the days of GS Gallant Prince. With Struck By War and FS Waylay Attack's impending retirements the reporters were around more often trying to drum up stories of the racer and eventer.}

[Melissa]

_{The sounds of an barn just starting to get started with its day came over Whitebrook. Horses, impatient for feed, let fly with some hooves against stall walls. Melissa wandered into the racing barn and headed for Murder Afire's stall. The promising young son of Prince had been lended out to her while his owner went on a trip for a year and a half. From what she had learned by watching the colt in his workouts with his owner Scene had a bit of trouble of taking the lead and fighting for it so Melissa had arranged for her sister to run FS Waylay Attack with her and Scene to give Melissa a true sense of where Scene was at and what she needed to improve upon.
The bay Regency colt flicked one ear in her direction before lifting his head and whickering gently. "Hey Scene, ready to work today? No more lazing around the paddock with your pal JJ." she said with a soft smile as she slipped inside the stall with Scene's halter and lead in her hands. Her expert hands easily pulled the leather halter over Scene's head and she led the bay colt out into the aisle. He would be the first she would today followed by Faith, Poe, JJ and then Folksong and Devious in the afternoon before taking Determination on a lesiurely trail ride. As she led the colt out into the barn aisle and put him in cross-ties Scene bobbed his head up and down before firmly nudging Melissa in the back with a snort. Laughing she turned and gave the attention-craving colt a rub on the neck before pulling out the grooming supplies. She ran over the colt with a currycomb, stiff brush and then picked his hooves. When all four hooves were clean she combed out his mane and tail. Stepping back Melissa admired her work and Scene eyed her with both ears pricked. Stretching out his muzzle Scene blew softly and wiggled his mouth against her hand. "You're a cutie. I'm really going to love having you here." She said with a gentle smile to Scene. Ducking quickly in the tack room she pulled off Scene's tack of the post and headed back to the handsome bay colt. Her fingers worked in harmony as she tacked up the colt.
Once she had finished tacking up the young son of Prince she led Scene out to the track. The bay colt's nose pressing into my arm every step of the way. "SCENE, Do you mind?" Melissa asked with a smile and rubbed the bay's neck firmly. Halting the young Thoroughbred she mounted up and squeezed lightly with her heels. Immediately Scene struck out with an energetic walk, mane flowing easily against his neck.}

[Melissa]

_{Tossing his head the 2 1/2 year old colt snorted and toe-danced across the track, shying from the shadows made by the trees lining the mile long track. The trees were designed to keep workouts hidden and cause less problems during the workouts. "Easy Scene. Steady" Jade said calmly to the bay colt. Throwing up his head Scene chewed the bit and continued his dance up the track.
Coming off a short break from racing Murder Afire looked and felt ready to show his stuff. Melissa was leaning against the rail watching the pair as they went through the workout. At her side sat Skip and one of the barn cats was purring around her feet. Jade half-stood in her stirrups and urged the young colt on into a slow canter, hands relaxed yet holding the reins firmly. Ducking his head Scene attempted a buck but she got after him with a quick pop of the crop in her hand. Rolling his eyes and picking up the smart canter he easily floated down the track, head bowed and tail floating on the breeze.
3/4s of the way down the track Jade inched her hands forward and clucked once. The colt's ears shot back and he plunged forward, dirt flying and sunlight flashing rapidly over his sleek coat as he galloped around the turn and entered the backstretch. Jade was grateful for the goggles she was wearing for it had been raining continously since the farm's re-location to Ireland and it had made the track quite sticky, yet it was drying out. Mud was still being tossed up by Scene's hooves and plastering on Jade and Scene.
After one lap around at a slow gallop Jade brought Scene back to a walk and let him cool out on a nice long rein before halting him at the gap in the track and dismounting. Pulling the reins over his head she led Murder Afire back to the barn alone since Melissa had vanished to somewhere during the workout. Untacking Scene Jade hosed him off and then dried him with towels before placing his stable blanket on him and putting him up in his stall with some hay and tepid water since he was still a little hot from the work.}

[Melissa]

_{"Prince, chill out dang it. We're not going to the paddock just yet." Melissa said pulling sharply on the lead of the thoroughbred stallion's lead when Prince gave a jerk, ears pricked toward his paddock which was only visible slightly from the barn aisle. It had been a while but Prince definately felt the high energy in the air and he could hardly wait, he knew somehow that race day was coming. Prancing in a circle he whinnied out, throwing up his head.
"Would you quit it man so I can tack you up? Melissa asked, brushing back a strand of brown hair holding Prince's pad and a light racing saddle in her hands. Eying her Prince blew out noisily and stomped a hoof but allowed her to slip the pads and saddle on his back. Melissa wasn't at all nervous about the upcoming race for her Classic winner. Yea, most of the horses in the race he hadn't met before but she was quite confident that the big black could handle it. It was 1 1/4 miles and he could handle that with no problem.
Managing to finish tacking up Prince Melissa unclipped him from the cross-ties and led him out to the stable yard. Easily slipping into the saddle she checked her girth and adjusted her stirrups. Around them the bustle of the farm was at full throttle and Prince snorted, dancing lightly on his forefeet with ears pricked eagerly forward. Tossing his head the black stallion made his soft snaffle bit jingle in his mouth. "Okay, big man, let's go." Melissa said with a chuckle nudging Prince toward the trails. Today they would be working on Prince's ability to stay the distance, yesterday he had gone for a sprint over the track in the morning and then in the afternoon he'd been worked on the lounge line. Prince was usually a closer but Melissa would only change his style if needed.
Cueing Prince into a canter Melissa easily moved with the majestic stallion. Prince's finely trimmed muscles showed from where he'd been working lightly on the lounge line some days and on other days he'd been turned out all day and developed muscle tone from galloping in the paddock teasing Impossible Determination to join him with nips over the fence. Several occasions it worked but on other times it wouldn't work.
"What do you say Princely? Think you can handle going head to head with Geronimo, Touchstone, Cresential, Acrocharger, and whoever else enters this month's DTC?" Melissa asked as Prince's fluid strides carried them closer to the beginning of the trail. The black stud pinned back his ears, slightly insulted that she doubted him, his strides pounded against the turf for a few strides and she laughed, Prince was smart, he could understand what she said and he showed his dislike of it. Melissa knew that whether they won or lost it wouldn't affect Prince's calm state of mind. He pushed himself that much harder just to make her happy, having a loyal fan group helped since all his racing career he had run to hear the thundering of the stands. To get a horse in as fine condition and running style as Melissa had with Prince took the course of a grueling two years and in the end it had been well-worth it. The black stallion had rose from the ranks of an underdog to a Breeders' Cup Classic winner. A lot of blood, sweat, hopes and tears went into the equation and you could bet that Prince would put out nothing less than an amazing performance at the upcoming race.
With a quick tap of her heels she urged Prince into a slow gallop, standing lightly above his withers as he moved out at the controlled gallop she had asked for. A smile swept across her face for a instant when Prince kicked up his hooves in sheer joy at going faster now. "The play's about to stop though Prince and the hard work is soon to begin but I promise to let ya have a free day Saturday." She said softly as Prince's legs stretched out in front of him and then snapped back underneath him. She would always worry about a possible leg injury since Prince's tendons could be bowed at any second and a leg could break at any given time, limiting his mobility but she was determined not to even think about those possibilities. However if something like that happened she knew Prince would rather be put out of his misery than lead a life of longtime pain and suffering. The sparkle in his eyes only came from being allowed to run and if that chance escaped him he wouldn't be the same Prince no matter what she tried to do, he'd never regain that spark.
Prince's fast moving hooves crunched over fallen leaves and he snorted, ears flicking eagerly forward. They were now on the beginning of the trail and Melissa slowly relaxed her hold on the reins. Prince nickered joyfully, and stretched out steadily increasing his gallop almost to the point of breezing but she still had control over the five year old. Tugging ever so lightly at the reins to make him mad and that more inclined to work harder she chuckled when Prince tossed his head once, ears shooting backwards in disdain. A uphill climb loomed in front of them and she tugged once more at the reins. Prince squealed and slammed his hooves into the earth, legs working furiously to tear up the hill. Foam started to form around the stallion's mouth as he chewed at the bit. Reaching the top of the hill Prince leveled out and galloped along easily.
Ears flicking forward and then back every once in a while as he galloped along over the trail Prince's breaths came softly and then slowly got louder as he put more work behind each stride. A downhill slope dipped a little ways out in front of them and Melissa tightened her hold on the reins Prince shook his head vigorously trying to go downhill at full speed. "No you can't take this slope at a gallop Prince, steady on down to a trot there. That's it fella." Melissa whispered softly asking with her hands ever so lightly. Breathing out heavily the black stallion dropped his rapid pace to a trot.}

[Melissa]

<sub>Two Days Later > >

I wandered down the barn aisle before stopping in front of Prince's stall, inside the black five year old was pushing the straw around with his nose. "How's my Prince?" I asked stepping closer to the stall and resting my forearms on the wood. He snorted sharply and raised his head, realizing it was just me he gave a whicker in greeting with ears pricking forward as he ambled closer. Glancing at his feed trough I smiled glad to see it was empty already and he'd been fed an hour ago. "You're looking good." I sighed tracing my finger along Prince's whiskers and he lipped at my finger before stepping right up to the stall and poking his nose toward my pockets. "Okay but just one." I said with a laugh pulling out one carrot slice. Prince eyed the carrot his lower lip twitching and eagerness in his brown eyes. Rubbing the stallion between the eyes as he crunched on the carrot happily I thought if I was slowly forgetting the stallion. Shaking my head I instantly dismissed that idea Prince was a major part of the farm and no other horse would take the big gap he had left. Of all the horses he was one of the ones closest to my heart.
Picking up the grooming box next to Prince's stall I slipped inside one the black horse had finished his carrot. Taking a soft brush I began to run it along Prince's muscled neck. Under the soft barn lights Prince's coat glowed with good health and he didn't need the extra brushing but it settled my mind. Over the next hour I carefully went over every inch of Prince's black coat, cleaned his mane and tail with a comb and water, picked his hooves and put hoof moisturizer on them. Then I went into the tricky job of trimming Prince's ears. The stallion didn't like that part of a good grooming and he backed away with ears firmly back at the sight of the clippers. "Come on Prince, I've gotta do your ears they look horrible." I said firmly and putting the clippers down I brought Prince out into the aisle crossties and made him stand still in the middle of the aisle by having Jade stand by his head with the stud chain in her hand. I managed to trim most of it but Prince wasn't happy when I finished. "You can take the stud chain off now, he's pretty good about the fetlocks." I said to Jade who nodded and slipped the stud chain off and stepped off to watch. Bending down I smoothed out the black stallion's fetlocks on all four hooves. Motioning to Jade I unclipped the crossties from Prince's halter and said "You can put the supplies away while I put him back in his stall if you want.
"Come on Prince man." I said softly leading the Thoroughbred toward his stall and releasing him once he was standing facing the aisle. Slipping out I gave Prince one last pat and a whispered good night before heading to visit Folksong and Santana before I went inside the house.</sub>

[Melissa]

<sub>My eyes roamed over the thick paddock. At the back of the paddock stood a chestnut, a bay and a black weanling filly. Folksong's striking blaze and four white socks were distinct even from the gate to the back of the three acre paddock. The coal black filly standing beside was Devious and Deva merely swished her tail before returning to nibble at the grass underfoot. Santana's chrome ears pricked way forward and the striking Xenophon daughter whinned loudly in greeted, her tiny forelock tumbling down over her white blaze and nostrils dilated trying to catch my scent and tell if it was me or someone she needed to investigate.

"Oi Annnnnnnaaaaa" I called out with a smile dragging the filly's nickname out. It was our little code and Ana had grown to know that it was me and no one else. Neighing in reply the 8 month old leaped, her stockings flashing as she skimmed over the earth. Folksong stood still watching her equine friend bolt toward me before returning to crop grass only to be bossed by Devious who lunged at the older filly with teeth bared and ears back. Whinnying in protest Song kicked out, her eyes flashing in warning. thingying her elegant head she glared at Devious with her tail swishing. Song may be a shy filly but she was more dominant than Devious.

Santana skidded to a halt at the fence line and threw her majestic head over the fence, nuzzling at my shirt. "How's the queen bee doing?" I asked playfully pulling at Ana's forelock before scratching under her chin. It was her ticklish spot and she snorted pulling away for a second before shoving her whiskers in my face demanding attention. "You're not spoiled one bit are you Santana?" I then asked rubbing her blaze. The quirky filly drew back her upper lip and shook her head, eyes warm and dancing in pleasure. Shaking my head I just chuckled and lovingly rubbed Ana's blaze. Blowing softly into my hands the young filly looked the picture of perfection. One of the only two Xenophon daughters she was a divine goddess and boy did she work her charm everytime she had the chance.

A faraway whinny caught Ana's attention and she squealed, pulling her head away. Swishing her tail the chestnut Thoroughbred flared her nostrils and whinnied a greeting, pawing the ground lightly before bucking and wheeling. Bolting across the paddock she was joined by Folksong and Devious. My eyes never left the beautiful filly's sleek build as she tore over the earth, each stride holding the same amount of power, strength, and beauty. I would always treasure the rare moments I had alone with Santana, for once the filly started racing she'd be hammered with attention from reporters.

[very old, recently found]</sub>