Wild Strong & Free

Day One Trial One

Chapter 10: Day One Trial One

Wow the horses are so beautiful. They are all done up to look graceful when or if they win. A few of dads old mates from NSW came they run a few horses, that's how they met so dad was quite happy to go off. That made it so much easier to get Blaze ready. I had 2 hours to keep dad away From Blaze before her race. I got the oldest clothes in my cupboard so dad didn't realise them. You must think I should tell him and that I am over reacting by being so secretive but I have to. They wouldn't let me do it, the things I have overcome by being with Blaze its amazing remember I said how Blaze charged at me for a reason, it was cause she was testing me if I was good enough for her and I would never hurt her or make her do anything that she didn't want to do.

Jet and Sam were in the race just to test couple of our young horses. They always have a friendly bet about it. I see mini and her friends with their thousand dollar horses. Blaze and I had greatness upon us. Even if we crossed the line last I wouldn't mind because I know that Blaze still tried her hardest and doing me proud.

The coast was clear I could get Blaze warmed up the boys were gone to get a bite to eat. "Jess what are you doing?" Jet said surprised I can'tbelieve my luck he had forgotten his wallet so he come back seeing me on Blaze, he knows I can ride her but he didn't know I was going to race her still. "I'm sorry Jet I didn't tell you that I was going to enter after dad caught us out"

"Well make sure you kick arse! Oh and don't worry I won't say a word to Sam or your dad" With that great boost from Jet I was even more pumped. I took Blaze down around the river so no one would see, yet we did little work around the river getting her warmed up I think we were both too nervous. I checked my watch and it was time to SHINE! We galloped off to the line I could see dad and Sam I was just keeping my distance, but with the biggest and the blackest horse I caught dads eye, oh no he is walking over, ding, ding saved by the bell. The line-up bell rang no particular order just to line up I went the opposite side to Sam and dad Jet lined up next to me and wished Blaze and I loads of luck I wished him luck too. BANG! The gun goes off the rope goes up and so does Blaze I didn't Think about the starting gun. Go, go, go Blaze lets go she calmed down and we galloped down the starting straight we went down to a little track that went straight like that for a good kilometre It was bushing and a little dark but it was a good track for the horses hooves. A good strong galloped got us catching up to the others we had our first pit. I couldn't see dad good I thought he must be well in front it didn't matter because Blaze was allowed to go after 3 minutes. Jet told me to go and go strong because dad isn't too far ahead we had one more pit stop near our place, in fact I think it is in our drive way because we just stay at the track for the week sometimes we will go home to get some tack but that's about it. The whole time I was thinking about a hundred different things. Race was on top of my mind I wanted to go all the way. We were making great ground I could see the few horses in front of me. We were drawing close to the pit stop. I couldn't let dad see me. I got four minutes I went and got a drink when dad said "hey you're riding that black horse she is a beauty". I just replied "yeah she is alright big heart" and run off but my hat fell off I had the green flag dad wasn't gonna be far be hide "Jess!!!" I could hear him yelling this was the longest part of the ride. I believed I was in the lead and I was, no looking back Blaze and I were going to storm home. We come out near the river I was talking about, we had to run up and around and come through the finish line it is the starting line but the direction we headed is back up the straight. I looked be hide and there was dad coming I was praying Blaze still had a tank full. The final 800m it was like the whole world was in slow motion out of the corner of my eye I could see dad, I know it wasn't the final it was just a heat but it was a big deal to prove myself to my dad and the rest of the world, Blaze must have seen them too because she just kicked into another gear and she was flying. Omg we won we bet dad. It was fabulous I know that it was only one trial but we have a spot in the grand race, we had a great time too so we can just hope for more success.

"Jess! What do you think you were doing? That was the dumbest thing I have ever seen you do. You know how I feel about you and horses and you ride a horse that is wild" shouted my dad,

"You know what dad I have had to step aside everything to help you, I get knocked down by kids at school because they say I could never ride like you well guess what I CAN and I DID!"

"You are only a child you're still learning."

"Well dad I won't be learning from you! On Friday I will race to win I won't hold back when Blaze and I win you will understand what I can do and what you missed out on helping me with."

"Jess are you gonna be okay?" Jet said ever so caringly. I couldn't reply I had never had a fight like that with dad; I didn't want to beat him he hadn't lost this race for years. Besides maybe some of the other horses that are racing tomorrow may be better who knows what will happen.

"Look Jet I'm gonna go hose down Blaze, and maybe it will cool me down as well."

"yeah sure Jess I will be at the float"

Blaze was so joyed with her win I can feel it in her step, I was I could enjoy it with her maybe on Friday.

"So Jet I hear you and Jess were in on this?" asked my father

"What are you talking about I had no idea that she was going to race her, I do admit of knowing about her riding Blaze but even Sam knew that, we were helping her because we could both see that she had talent. Talent you couldn't see because you were scared of not being her idle because she wouldn't need you as she would be better. "Jet you and Sam are my sons I never had, the brothers that Jess always wanted. I know what I am to Jess, I'm her father that kept her to close on the rein, and then with a slight slip she has gone. I'm going let it go on Friday I'm going to see how her and Blaze work. I will give it my best as I know she will. When you become a father you to will understand."

"Hopefully I do. Otherwise I could think of nothing worse than treat my own daughter the way you have treated yours." replied Jet