Margie's POV
It has been about two months since Warrior went home. Time sure flies; only nine more months until the foal is born, if Co-co is in foal. The vet has claimed Co-co healthy enough to run in an easy-paced race that she should be able to win easily. I thought the race would help get her spirits back up because, unfortunately, she is still in a depression. I haven't seen Lauren in two weeks, but after the race I was gonna see if I could go over to her house and talk about the race and Warrior, and anything just about.
On the morning of the race when I woke up I yawned sleepily. I really hoped this race would be good for Co-co. I packed up my racing out-fit into a small bag with my name imprinted on it. I always took it with me to races. After I packed I pulled on a warm sweater; the weather was staring to get colder. It was close to the end of August, which put Co-co's due date in March sometime. Then I walked out to the barn. Co-co turned out to be in the pasture; Dad must have turned her out last night. I walked out to the pasture and leaned on the gate. Co-co was out by her tree, but not grazing, she was just standing there. I gazed down at the sparkling grass. Morning dew was everywhere, glimmering in the faint rays of sunshine. The sky was hazy and mist hovered above the moist, soft ground. Co-co turned her head and looked at me with dull eyes. Instantly, I knew this race, nor any other, was going to make her feel better. Only one thing could do that; Warrior.
Co-co's POV
I decided to go ahead and let Margie lead me away, I wasn't in the mood to put up a fight, even though I wasn't in the mood for a race either. Margie took me into my stall and groomed me. The hard bristles against my skin were massaging and soothing. I sighed and my sides moved out. I don't know why, but I almost felt normal again. But nothing would ever be the same again. Even if Sand or Warrior came back. I had met Warrior, which changed my life forever.
I heard the crunching sound of gravel outside of the barn. Margie's dad was pulling up with the trailer that said Dream Farm on it. Margie smiled knowingly and lead me out of my stall and towards the trailer. I peered inside; there was a flake of hay in the hay net and it smelled like there was a treat as well. I nickered and walked up the ramp and into the small area where I was boxed in. Normally I would be very excited about this time and I would be neighing and stamping my hooves. But today I just calmly started munching on the hay and chomping the treat down. I heard the truck doors open and then slam closed, then I braced myself as the trailer slowly moved forward and then, faster, down the drive and onto the road.
The drive seemed to drag on and on forever. I fell asleep twice, then wondered if we would make it in time. Just then the trailer jerked sideways and I knew we were turning. Perhaps we were there! A few minutes later I discovered that we were indeed there, for the trailer stopped and I heard the truck's engine die down. I second later the ramp was lowered. I tried to back out but the halting strap was still in place and my lead rope was still tied to the a metal ring above my hay net, which was now emptied except for a few stray strands here and there. Margie's dad opened the head door beside the hay net and I poked my head out unconsciously. Outside I saw many horses, all thoroughbreds, of various colors. I became excited, just the thrill of being at the track seemed to make me feel a lot better. I neighed expectantly and was answered by a few other neighs of excitement. Yes, this race seemed to be, thankfully, just what I needed.
Margie's POV
I undid the halting strap and instantly Co-co bolted out of the trailer and reared up, ears pricked. I laughed; I had thought this race would have no effect what so ever on her, but I was once again delighted by one of the horses' many secrets. They always had something they kept from you until the last minute. Sometimes it was good, sometimes bad, but I was sure this was good. Before C-co got the chance to take off I lunged and grabbed her lead-rope, which was trailing behind her as she pranced around. "I think she'll do fine today." Dad said with a hopeful smile. I nodded and lead Co-co off towards her assigned stall. Once there Co-co circled around her stall three times. I was hesitant about tying her up so that I could tack her up for a warm-up lap on the track. Once she was tied she settled down a bit. I didn't bother grooming because I had earlier, but I did use my hands to brush a few straws of hay off her back. Then I undid the trailer wraps on her legs. She seemed thankful to have the uncomfortable boots off of her beautiful, yet strong black legs. Then, like any sane rider would, I picked her hooves. Finally she was ready to tack up. I lifted the light-weight, basically flat, saddle and pad onto her back. Co-co danced in place and neighed. She hadn't been this perky since before Sand left. She had been perky when Warrior was around, but not like this. It was delightful to see her in this state. I then held the bit up to her delicate muzzle and she immediately opened her mouth. I slid the bit in, over her tongue, and then buckled it up. She tossed her head up and I led her out of the stall and towards the track, which had many other mares out warming up. Co-co gave a shrill neigh and then I hauled myself up into the saddle. Co-co pranced towards the track gate and turned side-ways so I could open it. Dad walked over and smiled. "Hold her back. She needs the energy for the race." I nodded and then let Co-co move across the track and beside the rail. There I allowed her to start trotting.
Co-co's POV
Come on…come on…I want to run! Finally one lap of trotting was over, but now was time for fun. Cantering, or even better, galloping! I was about to start when a steel colored mare cantered in front of me. "You're kind of fat for a racehorse!" She sneered. I laid my ears back. "Or maybe you're too skinny. Looks like you're under-fed, I feel bad for you." The mare's rider slowed her to a walk and I trotted past. The mare snapped at my right back hock and instinctively I kicked defensively. "Watch it! It's not my fault you can only win a race by breaking all the other contenders' legs!" That seemed to shut her up. Without warning she took of, full speed, and her rider was so surprised he fell off. I wanted to laugh but instead I took off as well, thought Margie was ready because she knew my attitude in and out. I looked over and saw the mare's name written across her saddle pad, along with the number '6'. Her name was Iron Fist. Sounded more like a colt's name to me. Her name should be Iron Head instead. I was right beside her when Margie instantly pulled back on the reins and I had to slow down. Iron glanced back and was about to laugh, but she tripped up because turning her head put her off-balance. My turn to laugh. I cantered past her and prayed she was in my race, that way I could beat her. After completing the lap of cantering Margie dismounted and led me back to my stall. She loosened the girth but left the saddle on my back, and took the bridle off to replace it with the halter and then tied the lead rope to the door of my stall. "I know I'm not supposed to leave your saddle on, but we'll be racing in about thirty minutes." I threw my head up and down and nickered. Then I started munching on the hay straws that were strewn around the stall. Unfortunately I found out the Iron's stall was beside mine. I snorted in protest as the rider she had thrown threw the tack down beside the stall and marched off. I took it he had decided not to ride her after all, I didn't blame him. "Your rider doesn't care to untack you? Poor you." Her voice was flat and cool. "At least she cares enough to ride me. Seems your impression on your own rider isn't so good." Iron snorted and started munching her flake of hay, in her feeding rack nailed into the stall's walling. I had won the word fight once again.
Right when I was starting to doze off Margie returned with her dad. "Margie, you didn't untack her." "I know but-" Her dad interrupted, "You'll have to do that. Don't you remember that there is a saddling station where the officials make sure you tack the horse up right and everything?" Margie sighed and walked in. Then she undid the girth and yanked the saddle off. I jerked my head up as cool air rushed over my back where the saddle and pad had rested. Margie patted my back and then brushed the spot where my saddle was to get the sweat off. Her dad picked up my tack and Margie lead me out of the stall and towards the saddling station. There I was retacked and then led off to the walking circle, where all the racehorses of the race were. "Riders up!" the official announced. Margie hauled herself into the saddle again and smiled. I felt so good to be on the track again! I couldn't wait to blow the competition away. "You know the deal. Hold her until-" Margie interrupted this time, "Yes I know. Don't worry, Co-co's got this!" Her dad nodded and looked at the official. Then I noticed Iron's owner had managed to get another jockey. Determination seared through my veins, I was going to take everyone down, including her. Iron glanced at me with cold eyes. They burned for a few seconds but I wasn't going to let it bother me. Then The officials gave the signal and the horses were led towards the starting gates. I had gate 11. It wasn't a good position on the field at all. I was going to have to work hard to move to the front. Then, as I always did in a race, I shut all sounds out from my mind. I heard none of the nervous screams, the stamping hooves, heavy breathing, and no anticipation. All was quiet in my ears. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I heard the gates swing open, and my opened simultaneously. I shot through the gates and all I allowed myself to hear was the pounding of hooves. The crowds in the stands died before they could reach my ears. I was in 7th place currently, but this was only the beginning. Iron was three places ahead of me, but what do you expect, she had gate 6. One of the horses in front of me, a white mare, dropped back already tired. I moved up into her position easily. Iron glanced back, quicker than during the warm up, but still is cost her time. She fell behind the mare that she had been neck and neck with. I wanted to take off, but Margie held me back. She did move her hands up my neck a little bit though. That was my signal to speed up, but not to full speed yet. I passed Iron and the mare in front of her. Now I was in 3rd place. The two mares in front of me were pretty fast, but they had been in the front the whole race and they were tiring. The chestnut mare fell back behind me but stayed there instead of falling back more. Now the race was all me and the bay mare in front of me. She was straining desperately while I hadn't even kicked in yet. I knew I had this. The bay mare's rider gave her some sort of signal and despite her weariness she sped up. We had just past the three fourths of a mile post. Margie finally moved her hands all the way up my neck and I let my legs speed up to their full potential. The bay mare gawked as I flew passed her and kept on going. I could see the mile post only a few furlongs ahead. Then I kicked into an even faster gear I didn't even know I possessed and I won by five paces ahead of the bay mare. Margie threw one of her hands up in the air and I knew she was pleased. Unwillingly she slowed me down to a trot. I tossed my head and snickered when Iron passed by me. She placed 8th. Margie's dad rushed over as did the official's. They led me and Margie to the winner's circle where a blanket of roses was thrown over my neck. I neighed and cameras snapped photos. Later that night I ate hay in my stall feeling much better.
Margie's POV
I lay on my bed happily as I sketched a drawing of a horse grazing.
"Marge the phone is for you." My dad's voice was strained. I wondered what was wrong. As he handed the phone to me he whispered, "It's Lauren's dad." I knew something bad must have happened.
A/N: Haha! Cliffie! Okay, Now, once again, I only had one reviewer.
Skitty 2004: I know, the last chappie was sad, but it's part of the story! Yay!
Now…please review!
