Faith In Shadows; the line we must cross

[Melissa]

the line that separates winners from losers
beggers from choosers, and dreamers from the reality

Ears pinned back as her hooves thundered down the main stretch, mane whipping back in my face and head bobbing with each stride. "Easy does it Faithy." I whispered, in time with the four year old's tugging on the reins. It wasn't quite time for her to explode into the final drive, shooting a quick look across at Determination who was enjoying his first gallop in public, Jewel had won the bet that had secured her a ride on the Stormwing son and Faith's own sire for today's work only. Catching her eye and giving a short nod we both loosened our reins and Faith streaked forward. Determination right beside us, the stallion's dark coat mirroring the lighter coat of Faith.

Determination closed furiously though, his big black figure nearly dwarfing his 16 hand daughter's frame. Faith gave a snort of frustation and she worked her muscles furiously, teeth grating the curb bit she had in between her teeth. The turn into the final stretch loomed large and the two racers flew around it, head for head, stride for stride. Of all the horses on WB's property only Determination could give Faith the pressure Contessa was likely to bestow on her. Prince may have but he was now gone and even when he was alive no one but me had been allowed to ride him. Snapping back to Faith when the elegant bay tossed her head slightly, eyeing Determination. She was the pride and joy of Whitebrook and to get her as far as a Aggression Cup I would be spoiling more than her shot for success in a big race for the first time. She was not the type of horse I needed to give half my attention, she deserved my whole attention and this race was important to both of us. She had had too many seconds in big races for the Aggression Cup preparations to be treated lightly.

Cursing myself when Determination gained ground on the outside I stretched forward weight perfectly balanced above her withers and, asked Faith for everything she had and the mare responded gamely and fiercely, head shooting forward and legs working powerfully beneath her as she churned up the dirt and it flew up behind her. She was so talented, to retire her when she was just getting started would be against everything I had vowed the moment she was born. Faith wouldn't give up and I was going to be in the battle with her as long as she had the heart and spirit to prove herself. Exhilaration pulsed through my veins and Faith nickered audibly, pricking her ears forward as she rolled one eye in Determination's direction as she burst forward with a strong closing kick, quite the custom of her relatives. Determination tried to rally back but Faith was already gone, and she wasn't about to get caught.

Blowing hotly as she flew past the wire Faith was all but airborne. She was such a stubborn filly, and didn't usually stand out among the more elite, more brilliantly bred race mares out there. A major stakes win was far from her reach but still she'd done well for herself, despite being 'in the shadows' most of her life. Her stripe flashed in my direction when she scooted forward, head raised and teeth against the bit. "You're full of yourself." I commented sawing on the sweat-slicked reins and bringing Faith under control. The bay mare balked again, this time her head swinging from side to side not about to give in to my control. With one lifted eyebrow I shortened the right rein and when she swung to the right I pulled tight on it, forcing her head nearly to my knee. Faith fell for the old trick like a deck of cards and was forced to spin herself dizzy for a few minutes until she came to a shaky halt in the middle of the track, dripping with sweat and sides heaving.