Bree's Challenge

Chapter Five "Training"

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my made up characters!

Friday September 21st

I yawned as I watched the frisky young horses get ready to go on the track for their morning workout. "Wake up sleepy head!" Uncle Gene teased me as he walked towards me and Cloud. "If you're going to be riding her, I want you fully awake."

I froze in shock. He was going to let me ride Cloud in her workout? So far either Mike, Ashleigh or Chad would work her in the mornings. I had been working with Coffee on the track in the evenings, training to ride a racehorse but I wasn't expecting to ride her this soon.

Uncle Gene gave me a leg up after I put my helmet on. I rode out with Chad, who was going to ride with me and Cloud to make sure everything went okay. We had a short, easy gallop and I rode Cloud off of the track, satisfied. Gene didn't want to work her too hard, she was actually entered in a stakes race tomorrow. He wanted to see how she'd do in a real race. Ashleigh was going to ride her, I was so excited!

"I think she'll do good tomorrow." Chad said to me as we dismounted and cooled out the horses. Gene and Mike joined us.

"We'll see what she does in the next two races to decide what path we're taking with her. She's ran two grade stakes races and done pretty good, she had a pretty late start at racing but we'll catch up." Gene spoke up as we put the cooled out horses in their stalls.

"You know one of the Townsend's filly is entered in tomorrow's race." Mike grinned at me and I groaned quietly.

"That should be fun." I replied, a bit gloomily. "I didn't think much about that."

"Aw it'll be okay til Cloud beats their filly." Mike joked and then gave me a light shove. "Don't worry about it. All you need to worry about is your filly. Don't worry about Brad or his filly. You're a racehorse owner now, you gotta keep business and personal stuff separate."

"Easier said than done." I mumbled as I took Cloud's feed from Len. I fed my filly her morning feed and went to grab some breakfast for myself as the morning sun started making it's way up. I had to get ready for school too!

A little bit after I got home, Brad's car pulled into the yard. Oh crap, I had forgotten we were going to dinner! "I'm going to change now!" I shouted as him as I ran towards the house. I saw his amused smile as I ran. He knew how much I could get caught up in the horses.

I quickly washed off my arms, hands and face. I wasn't really sweaty or dirty, just a little bit "dusty" from grooming and working with Cloud in the field. I changed into a dark pair of jeans, a green t-shirt and slipped on my sneakers. I left my hair down. I dashed down the steps and waved goodbye to everyone. Brad opened the car door for me and I got in.

"So I have a surprise for you." Brad said as he backed out of the driveway. I turned to look at him warily. A surprise...

"What's the surprise?" I asked. He smiled but this time it was nervously.

"We're meeting my father and a few of his friends at the country club for this dinner." I stared wide-eyed at Brad.

"What?!" I yelped. "You should have told me. Look at me, I'm a mess!"

Brad looked at me quickly. "You look fine, I'm only in jeans and a t-shirt too."

"Yeah but you manage to look like a model." I mumbled. Brad had heard me and he laughed.

"Bree, you look beautiful." Brad told me. I shook my head. This would be nerve wracking.

When we got to the country club, Brad grabbed my hand and led me to a table where his father was seated with a couple. "Ah, here is Brad and Bree!" I heard Clay say and all eyes turned to us as we sat down. I smiled shyly as Brad greeted everyone and made introductions.

I listened to the adults as they talked and Brad ordered us drinks. I felt severely out of place but Clay and Brad worked to make me feel included. As we ordered food, I just got a Caesar grilled chicken salad. Brad raised an eyebrow at me. "I had a big breakfast and lunch." I told him quietly.

There was much talk about racing and horses when one of the men, Mr. Stover I believe his name was, spoke to me. "Bree, Clay tells me you just bought a race horse of your own."

I looked over at him. "Yes, I did. A two year old filly."

"Tell us a little bit about her." Mr. Stover encouraged. I looked over at Brad briefly but then launched into a description of Cloud. "When's her next race?"

I blushed thinking of Mike's jokes about Brad and my filly's running against each other. "Tomorrow actually."

Brad smiled at me and Mr. Stover smiled too. "Oh you're racing against Townsend Spring then?"

"Yeah unfortunately it worked out that way." I threw Brad a smile. "My Uncle Gene, who owns Whitebrook Farm, picks the races she enters and trains her since he's more experienced. He's teaching me as we go along."

"Are you interested in anything else in racing? Jockeying or training?" Mr. Stover asked and I shrugged.

"I'm not really sure yet. I just started exercising Cloud myself this morning and I love riding the race horses but I'm just not sure about racing. It's a whole different world from exercising, but I do like learning about the training." I told him.

"I think once Bree rides for a little bit more, she'll have an itch to be a jockey." Clay winked at me. "She's got spirit." I laughed at his words.

"That takes a lot of spirit. Ashleigh and I talk about it all the time."

"Ashleigh Griffin, your newest jockey?" Mrs. Stover turned to Clay. "The one who is replacing Jillian Gordon on Wonder?"

"Yes that's the Ashleigh she's talking about. They're all friends." Clay motioned to Brad and I. I had to bite back my laugh at Brad's expression. Ashleigh, Mike and Brad were anything but friends. Sure they were all trying for me but sometimes..well it got awkward.

"And that's not weird for any of you? Especially when you're racing against each other?" Mrs. Stover asked me. I shook my head.

"We're friends. That's all that matters. I cheer on Townsend Acres horses and I might be able to convince Brad to cheer on Cloud sometime." I gently bumped my shoulder into his as everyone laughed.

"Maybe if she was a Townsend Acres horse." Brad said with a chuckle. I pretended to glare at him but he just laughed some more. The dinner had ended very well and Clay gave me a hug as we went to leave. I was happy as we left the country club, it had gone okay and even though I know they had to be rich like Brad and Mr. Townsend, they didn't act snobbish.

As we pulled into Whitebrook, I felt nervous. When we got out and walked hand-in-hand towards the barn so I could check on Cloud, I spoke up. "We're not going to get all competitive tomorrow are we?"

Brad chuckled. "No Bree. You have your horse and Townsend Acres has theirs. I can't say I'll be rooting for Cloud, but I'll be supportive of you. Is that what has you so worried?" I nodded hesitantly.

"I didn't even realize they were in the same race until today." I told him. "Not that I guess it really matters cause I wouldn't have pulled her out anyways."

"Of course not, I'd be disappointed if you did." Brad squeezed my hand. "A little competition is always healthy anyways."

…...

Saturday September 22nd

I walked Cloud nervously to the saddling paddock with Len and Gene. "It's going to be okay Bree." Gene said softly as we walked past the crowds and reporters. "Just take a deep breath." I nodded and smiled as I saw Ashleigh walk into the paddock in Whitebrook's silks. I was so glad she was going to ride Cloud. She would be best for Cloud.

Ashleigh grabbed my hand and gave it an understanding squeeze. "I understand how you're feeling right now. It's how I felt when Wonder first started racing."

"I'm just so nervous!" I laughed a bit. "What if she does horribly?"

"She'll do great! Her workout times have been great." Ashleigh smiled at me. "You look pretty by the way." I was wearing a pair light colored jeans(my best ones), a white tank top with a plaid long sleeve button up shirt that colors matched Whitebrook's over it. My hair was in a french braid and I wore a pair of new boots I had bought.

I saw Townsend Spring walking around the saddling paddock with a groom from Townsend Acres and felt a bit nervous. She was a good racer but so was Cloud. We got Cloud tacked up, Ashleigh mounted and to the pony horse. "Good luck!" I called to her as she rode away. She nodded to indicate she heard me.

I followed Gene and Len to where Mike and Chad sat waiting for us. I saw the place where the Townsend crowd would be sitting and looked away. I hadn't seen Brad here today yet. "Bree!" Speaking of the devil...

Brad and Clay walked to where we were sitting and smiled at me. "She looks good out there." Clay complimented Cloud. "I think she'll give Townsend Spring a real run for her money."

I beamed. "Thank you. Townsend Spring is a good filly, it'll definitely be a good race."

"We just wanted to stop by and wish you good luck." Brad told me. "So good luck." He kissed me on the cheek.

"Good luck to you too." I smiled back at him. They walked away with Ken Maddock following them. I watched as the horses began loading into the gate. Nervous, I grabbed Mike's hand tightly. "Oh my goodness."

Mike chuckled and gave my hand a squeeze. "It'll be okay. No matter what she does, it'll be okay." I nodded, too nervous to speak. The last horse was loaded and it was silent for a moment before the gates sprang on. Townsend Spring jumped onto the lead immediately as she usually did, Soaring Star was behind her and Cloud was mid pack where she liked to be. I listened to the announcer talking as I watched the horses intently.

"Townsend Spring takes the lead with Soaring Star right behind her, Jamie's Girl is in third with Dark Cloud in fourth. My Golden Girl is moving up past Dark Cloud to take over fourth but Ashleigh Griffin is keeping her at her mid-pack position. Soaring Star has taken the lead from Townsend Spring.." I tuned out the announcer and watched Dark Cloud. She was doing good, staying where she was, where she would stay until they came around that last turn.

I squeezed Mike's hand hard as they made their way into the last turn. I could see Ashleigh giving Cloud the reins and giving her the go ahead. Cloud started moving past the other horses almost immediately. Soaring Star dropped back and My Golden Girl was just behind Cloud, Jamie's girl ran right in front of her but behind Soaring Star, Townsend Spring had taken the lead back but you could see her struggling to hold on. A few of the other horses in the back were making their move but none were moving too fast.

Then it was down to Dark Cloud and Townsend Spring as they raced towards the finish line. They were neck and neck! Mike and I were standing up shouting now. "Go Cloud! You can do it girl!" I shouted along with Mike and Chad. I was bouncing up and down nervously. I saw Ashleigh encourage Cloud a bit more and she responded.

Cloud crossed the finish line a neck ahead of Townsend Spring. She had won! "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!" I turned to Mike and hugged him excitedly. "She won!"

They all laughed at me. "That she did!" Mike smiled at me then pulled me towards the track. "We have to meet her in the winner's circle." I followed Mike in a daze, hard to believe that I owned a horse and she had just won a stakes race. I clipped a lead rope to Cloud's bridle and led her into the winner's circle. Ashleigh took her saddle and went to weigh in then came back to re-mount for the pictures. I made sure everyone(even Len and Chad) were included in the pictures then I led Cloud out of the circle, back towards the barns. We passed some reporters but Uncle Gene stayed behind to take care of them. I untacked her when we got to the barn and went to cool her out. Len warned me not to talk to any reporters, to let Uncle Gene handle all reporters for now. Chad went with me while Mike stayed behind to help pack things up.

We talked about how great she did. "She listened to Ashleigh, stayed where she needed to and then blew right through those other horses when asked to."

I smiled and patted Cloud's slightly sweaty neck. "She did, she's amazing." I kissed her neck. "My beautiful, talented girl."

…...

Bree POV

I had just gotten Cloud settled for the night when I turned around and saw Brad standing there with flowers. I grinned at him. "Hey." I said softly as he walked towards me.

"Hey there big winner." Brad joked as he handed me the flowers. "I thought I'd come over and congratulate you in person."

"Thank you." I told him and gave him a hug. "So you're not mad at me?" I laughed.

"No I'm not mad at you!" Brad laugh incredulously. "Cloud did great today." Brad looked towards my filly in her stall.

We sat in chairs in the barn aisle as we talked. "How's your Dad?" I asked with a smile.

"Ah, sad we lost but he's happy for you. I'm supposed to give you his congratulations." Brad said to me.

"Well tell him I said your filly ran a good race when you go home." I was being honest. Townsend Spring did run a good race, she just couldn't hold on at the end. It happened.

"I was thinking maybe tomorrow morning we could go out to breakfast together. I'm kind of liking our little tradition." He was talking about how on Sunday's we would go to Denny's and get breakfast.

"That'd be great. Tomorrow we won't really be working any horses out so I'm sleeping in until at least seven." I sighed and sat back in the chair. "Seven sounds like noon."

Brad chuckled. "That's what happens when you live on a racing farm."

"It's worth it." I shrugged. "Especially now that I have my own horse. It's great."

"Especially since that horse wins?" Brad teased me and I rolled my eyes.

"I wouldn't care if she wins or not. If she wasn't a racer, I'd turn her into a riding horse." I smiled at him. "It just helps pay for her stuff."

Brad grabbed my hand and kissed it. "I unfortunately must be getting home. It's getting late and both of us should get some sleep."

"Yeah, I guess." I stood up and hugged him. Brad leaned down and met my lips with gentle ease. "Text me when you get home to let me know you're okay."

"I will." He promised. "See you later." I watched as Brad left and looked over the horses one more time before heading inside. I took a quick shower and went to bed. It had been an exciting day.

…...

AN: Hey readers! Sorry it's been awhile since my last update but I got everything else updated and will be updating more frequently. I'll be updating stories every few days and I'm going to put shorter(like 2700-3500 words) chapters up because I'm going to try to update two stories a day! Please bare with me as I'm trying to get updates ASAP for you! This would have been up a few days ago but my son and I have both been miserably sick. He's been unable to sleep good at night(usually when I write since it's hard to write during the day with a 2 year old lol) and therefore I am usually in bed early with him since he's been sick. But I think I'm doing better with updates and I am definitely trying hard to get everyone updates and make you readers happy!

Please review and tell me what you think! I love your reviews! Sorry if my racing description is horrible, I tried reading a chapter of the TB series to give myself an example of how to write it but I just suck lol. When I started this story I was SO into horse racing like I knew a lot and watched it a lot...Now I don't so much so if I make a mistake or there's something you think I should change, let me know! Constructive Criticism is welcome, I'm always trying to better my writing!

Thanks for reading! – Quinnandsethsgirl15

P.S.: For you Phantom Stallion readers/fans, I have a new PS:Wild Horse Island story up if you want to check it out!