Co-Co Magic's POV
The next morning Margie was up bright and early. I nickered expectantly as she passed my stall absentmindedly. She didn't even pat my nose; she walked straight into Sand's stall and grabbed a saddle. "One last ride girl. For old time's sake." I stamped a hoof energetically; normally I was exercised right about now. Margie tacked Sand up and they left the barn, with me still in my stall. I understood that Margie was very sad, but she NEVER ignored me, no matter what. Did she like Sand more than me? I pushed the thought away, she had to be only upset. Despite trying to calm myself down, I began pacing around my stall. I was racehorse! I had a very strict schedule! Suddenly the barn doors opened and Margie's father walked in. He noticed Sand was gone easily. "Here girl." He put a halter on me and led me out of the barn. I wanted to run! He put me in the best pasture and I took off as soon as the halter unsnapped. I could feel dirt flying up from my hooves, how I loved that! I galloped past the tall oak tree at the far end of my pasture. One I had galloped around the long fencings of my enclosure twice I halted by the gate.
Margie and Sand were just getting back from one of the trails. They had only been gone about 15 minutes so I figured they took the short one to the meadow. My favorite trail was the one that lead up into the woods and eventually a waterfall.
Sand looked very depressed, but as she passed my standing at my gate, she gave a hideous glare. My heart sank. I didn't want her to be mad at me! I neighed trying to get Margie's attention, but she simply walked Sand on into the barn.
I was VERY bored now. I could eat grass…no, that just seemed so normal. I wanted to run my heart out on the track. Margie always had said to me, right before a race, "Don't look back, leave it all on the track." (yes I know, quote from Racing Stripes!) That's what I wanted to do! Finally I settled for pacing around and around my pasture. Every now and then I would give an irritated buck, or neigh. Finally I saw Margie walking out towards the pasture. Now she would apologize for ignoring me, and we could gallop forever on the track! She stopped at the gate and whistled, but she didn't have to. I was galloping towards her happily. To my dismay she still seemed very dim and depressed. I nudged her arm and she gave me a faint smile. "Hey girl." I reared up happily. "I can't believe we have to give Sand up." Sand? Was she here to talk about Sand? I was disappointed. I was going to miss Sand, and I knew Margie would too, but I still needed attention from her!
"I hope this stud of yours is worth the cost." I had almost forgotten about the stud. Suddenly I felt all nervous and I had butterflies in my stomach. With that Margie turned around and left. I reared up and neighed, desperately trying to get her to come back so we could gallop on the track. But it was no use; she disappeared into the barn once again. I snorted and turned around in my pasture. If she was going to ignore me, then I would ignore her too.
When the trailer pulled up everyone knew it was the final hour for Sand. It was a very fancy trailer. There was a picture of two horses galloping along the sides, and on the front a large horse head. I walked to my gate, interest peeked. Then I saw Margie's father leading Sand out of the barn and he halted her beside the trailer. She shot a look my way and I returned a sad neigh. It was then that she stopped being mad at me. Her eyes were shining, in her sad looking way. I hoped this knew stables she was going to were just as good as being here. I man stepped out of the truck and shook hands with Margie and her father. I had just noticed Margie had walked over. The man smiled and unbolted the trailer doors. A tall, slim, pure black stallion stepped out of the trailer. His eyes were full of energy and they sparked as he jerked around taking in all the new smells and sounds. He was much more handsome than I thought possible. His own dark, shiny, black coat made mine look dull and bleak. He gave a nervous rear and landed smoothly back on the ground. "Where to?" I heard the man ask. Margie's father smiled and pointed to my pasture. What? He was coming to see me now? I was so nervous. The man turned and began walking towards my pasture. I turned around and galloped down towards my oak tree. I was way too shy to see this stallion yet. The man opened the gate and turned the stallion out into my field in one smooth move. The stallion turned around to face the trailer again. We both watched as Sand was loaded onto the trailer. Margie was half happy, and half sad. I think this stallion's looks surprised everyone. It was right when the trailer began rolling down the drive that the stallion turned back around in the field and began grazing. He was so calm now. He hadn't even noticed me yet. I felt thirsty all of the sudden. The water buckets were way up at the gate, and I was far back in the pasture, by my tree. I took a deep breath and slowly began walking towards the water buckets. Maybe he wouldn't notice me, ya that would be okay. Right when I was about to take a drink I heard a loud snort. I turned my head and saw the stallion starring dumbfounded at me. I felt so embarrassed. I took a long sip and then turned around, casually, and began grazing. That was when the stallion spoke. "Hi, I'm Grand Warrior." Grand Warrior? What a weird name, or maybe his was normal and mine was weird… I lifted my head. "I'm Co-Co Magic." Warrior nodded his head and continued grazing. This was very awkward. I'd never even seen another stallion before besides my father. "So, is it nice here?" Warrior asked. I nodded and look longingly at the track. I wanted a good run so badly! I looked at the drive way. Sand was long gone by now. Then I noticed a figure walking down the street. Who was that? Then I knew. It was Amanda, Margie's best friend. Amanda had a stable too, I had been there once. My friend, Run for the Roses, was there. I neighed a greeting and Amanda wore her normal, bright smile. Margie walked out of her home and waved to Amanda. "Who's that?" Warrior neighed. I answered, calmer now, "Amanda, and that's Margie." The two girls were now walking towards the pasture. Amanda starred at Warrior. "He's so big!" Margie nodded. "Yep. I can't wait to see how fast he is though." Amanda's eyes sparkled. "Let's see now! We can have a match race against Co-Co and…" Margie replied, "Grand Warrior, and done! Let's go and get the tack." They took off towards the barn. I felt so excited. I race! Yay! I wondered if I could beat Warrior. He seemed so powerfully, I almost thought it was impossible. Maybe it was…
Amanda was riding me, and Margie was riding Warrior. They walked us both up into the starting gates. I prepared myself for the gates to swing open and surprise me just like they always did.
I stamped a hoof and just as I set it down the gates flew open. The thrill! I lunged forward. But instantly a black blur flew past me. I didn't let it get to me, he would probably burn out. How could he be so great with as fast a take off as that? I was laughing mentally. I began to catch up with Warrior. And then I was right beside him. Amanda let my reins loose and I started faster. "Getting tired?" I intimated. Warrior didn't turn his head, as I had wanted. Turning your head took up valuable time. Instead he just said, almost as if he was standing still and not galloping, "Me? Tired? Never heard of it." I was about to reply but just then Warrior kicked up his heels and zoomed forward. I could see Margie barely even guiding him along the rail. It was like he knew exactly what to do! I felt a surge of anger. It was so unfair! He could start full speed…or was it full speed? And then he just kept getting faster and faster! He was almost three lengths ahead of me now. I beginning to catch up again, but then he quickly changed gears and galloped into a whole other level. He surged forward so quickly I lost hope. He crossed the finish-line almost 9 lengths ahead of me. On nearing the finish-line I sped up as much as my tired legs would allow. I had been beaten. Amanda slowed me and I began panting heavily. Warrior turned his head and gave a sympathetic look. He was hardly breaking a sweat. "He is really something!" Margie exclaimed. Amanda dismounted me quickly and began patting me encouragingly. "I know, he flew out there! He's not even tired…I wonder who he has beaten." Margie shrugged and dismounted satisfyingly. Warrior passed me with a nicker. "Nice race." I wanted to tell him, 'nice race? What are you talking about? You just won the breeder's cup for Pete's sake!' It was a bit sarcastic. "Thanks." I said instead. Well, I got my wish. I got to run. Although I had hoped I would win.
Amanda untacked me, and Margie untacked Warrior, then we were both turned out into the pasture again. I drank deeply from the water bucket as Warrior grazed on the sweet grass in the pasture. After my water, I began to graze as well. Warrior was okay. Once he passed me on the track I had expected him to be one of the snobby stuck up horses who thought they were all that. But he didn't. He used his talent when he needed and didn't boast about it. It made me a little more happy that he was going to be my mate. After all, I could've gotten stuck with one of those snooty horses I mentioned.
