Nova

gate test

" relax Alexandra" Ned tells me as he settles a clearly agitated Nova. " how can I relax? If I so much as look up I'll bang my head and what if we lose control of Nova?" I ask Ned feeling just as agitated as Nova in this tight confinement. " I understand this is your first time doing this but it's easy just look forward and when the gates open just get Nova clear as soon as possible" Ned tells me in a attempt to calm me down before I make Nova more agitated. " have you ever done this before? " I question as Nova shakes his head. " you know as much as I enjoy watching you two argue Nova's losing his patience and either way Alexandra ' s too young for you Ned" Anna calls out before the Irish groom can respond. " Just trust Nova" Ned tells me. " okay I'm ready so let's get this done before I freak out again" I tell everyone. Five seconds later the gates open in front of us releasing a thousand pound beast as dark and mysterious as the darkest night bursts out on delicate and fragile legs that seem incapable of support all 1130 pounds of myself, Nova and the tack combined much less being able to carry that great weight at the speeds Nova is capable of reaching. Head lowered like a eagle striking the winter wind picks up in his blacker then black mane lifting it like a banner or the waves rising on the ocean. " nice job Nova" I tell the bay after I slow him to a walk and lean forward to pat his neck as I guide him back towards the starting gate. " could use some major improvement if he's ever going to run for the roses but for a two year old on there first attempt he did excellent" Willifred tells us as Ned grabs hold of Nova's reins. " look it's freezing out here Willifred so unless we're going to do something else can we turn in before I become a Alexandarsickle?" I ask the trainer as I shiver as a new icy cold breeze picks up and everyone else but me is protected from the harsh weather by a thick coat while I'm having to make due with a long sleeve t shirt, a light jacket and a vest yet I'm certain only the unclipped Nova is not cold. " fine before you start a rebellion go unsaddle, cool down, groom and turn Nova out" Willifred tells me as I jump off Nova. " come on bud" I tell him as I lead the bay away. Nova who's really matured since he broke Anna ' s arm stands patiently in the cross ties as I unsaddle him. " need a hand ?" Anna asks me as she walks up behind me. " sure if you can with your arm" I tell her as I carry the tack into the tack room. " very funny ever consider being a comedian Alexandra because I seem to recall Salem breaking your arm but you were back on her within a day" Anna tells me as she grabs a bush. " it wasn't Salem ' s fault that Destiny freaked and can't we clip Nova because I think he's a mammoth?" I argue back as I grab another bush and attack the other side of his thick dark coat. " don't think he'll go for it your welcome to try if you want since if he's going to return to timed workouts he'll need it" Anna tells me. Sixty minutes later with the help of Ned I've managed to clip Nova in something that resembles the clip of the other thoroughbreds but Nova's refused to tolerate the clipper on his neck and hindquarters so it's kinda unusual.