Kodak Moment in training

[Tyra Friedman]

Kodak Moment and Jake Friedman - Day One

As they stood, jockey mounted on horse, the chestnut filly seemed feisty. She didn't want to stand still, she didn't want to waste time. Jake was trying his best to keep her still but failing. She just wanted to go and that made it difficult, seems as he was waiting for his sister to come down. As the trainer, Tyra made most of the big decisions regarding the stable, it's horses and training. Of course, it also meant she was busy and sometimes left others in situations like this- waiting for someone who was late to an arranged meeting. The filly was growing more and more impatient and Jake was also becoming agitated, wishing his sister would be more careful to watch the time.
Finally, the dark-haired young woman could be seen walking toward the track and a smile settled upon the older brother's face. She had never failed to impress him these last few years, always perfectly presented and eager to impress and impress she had. Setting up this little stable had been hard and cost a lot but soon, he was sure, they would begin to gather success. The filly also seemed to notice her approach, turning her head to face the long path leading from the stable to the track. She scratched the ground with flints and tossed her head again as Tyra stood on the lowest beam of the fence, rubbing the filly's neck softly.
"She's looking good, Jake, but she really needs to train with you, to get her used to riding under you. I'd suggest, for the first few workouts at least, that you just take it slow. Don't push her too hard, just go easy and I'm sure the two of you will be fine." Jake smiled and nodded, he totally agreed with his sister. "So, I'll see you at the same time in two days, yeah? Just so you can see how we are going?" The pair smiled at each other knowingly, green eyes meeting one another. "You know the deal, Jake. Just keep to the plan and everything will be fine."
Jake nodded, turning the chestnut filly so she faced down the track and pushing her into a walk. She walked smoothly, legs moving rhythmically, seeming happier now that they were moving. Her tassel snapped a little and when she thought Jake was not paying attention she would speed up, only to have him slow her down again. Once she seemed to have settled beneath him he pushed her into a trot and then a canter, her smooth gait soothing as they kept moving, almost as one. He felt like he was getting to know her, how she would push his limits just to test he was paying attention, how her ears would flick at the sounds coming from the stable yard. Everything was important, everything he could learn about her would help him come race day.
Kodi seemed happy to be out, to feel the turf beneath her hooves and to move across it, everything moving past at increasing speed as they pushed into a gallop. She behaved, turning when he asked her to, speeding up when he pushed her and slowing when he pulled her back again. They slowed to a canter again, and a trot, walking around the track again. She was much calmer than she had been now, prancing a little but not in a misbehaving type of way, more an energetic, excited type of way. Jake could sense she wanted to run again, but he had to keep in mind what his sister had said. Plus, he didn't want to wear her about again before the next race. He allowed her to cool off and pulled her to a halt, sliding from the saddle as he led her back up to the yard where she would be groomed and watered.

[Tyra Friedman]

Kodak Moment and Jake Friedman - Day two

The next day Kodi was waiting in her stable when Jake came out to see her. She greeted him softly, nipping his shoulder before bumping her nose against him. She wanted to be out of the stall again, to feel the wind in her mane again and, as Jake fetched the grooming kit, it seemed she was going to get her wish. He groomed her with all the love he could give, soft but getting the dirt out and making her feel clean. He brushed her mane and plaited it so that it would not get in her way, he picked the dirt out of her hooves and led her out into the yard, tying her up while he cleaned out her stall. He came back and stoked her lovingly before coming back with the morning's feed and water. He left her tied in the yard, where she could feel the fresh air, and cleaned her tack so it looked almost like new and when she was ready tacked her up, making her look smart but leaving the girth loose so she would be comfortable, untying her and leading her down to the track where he tightened her girth and mounted her, stroking her softly as he did, whispering her name and encouragement.
When they started to walk she did so with more behaviour than the day before, though she would still test he was paying attention it seemed to have become less frequent. As they walked she looked over to the stable yard several times before he pushed her into a trot. Again, she seemed to be behaving better than before, her trot smoother than with some of the other thoroughbreds though not the smoothest he had ever encountered. She had quite a quick pace, and seemed to be itching to go faster, but he held her back as she needed to learn that he was in charge. She didn't take overly well to it but seemed much happier when he finally let her go into a canter. She was pushing for gallop, wishing for the speed that made racing such a thrill but Jake knew how this had to be played and when she finally realised he was in charge and settled into a smooth canter he finally pushed her into the gallop.
In her element, the chestnut filly flourished once more. Again, she behaved perfectly in her favourite pace. Each move was firm and secure, leading Jake to believe that she was going to be a sturdy racehorse and would probably last a while on the course if he kept her in shape. Of course, that was only if they weren't unfortunate to have an accident, as was possible in racing. She seemed focused and intent on pleasing as she moved beneath him and he was sorry when he had to slow her down from pace to pace until they had finally stopped. He had been enjoying the ride but knew that Tyra was right and that tiring her out would do none of them any good and so when he dismounted he patted her softly, feeling how hot she was. The filly really did try when they got up to a gallop and he was thankful, but knew that he would have to keep an eye on her to ensure she didn't dart off to early during a race. He led her back to the stables, untacked her and brushed her down again so she could relax for the rest of the day, ready for tomorrow.

[Tyra Friedman]

Kodak Moment and Jake Friedman - Day 3

The following morning Jake was surprised to see his sister out in the yard when he walked out to prepare Kodi for the training ahead, grooming his favorite chestnut filly, his only regular ride and the joy he had been training for the last two days. Kodi seemed to be loving the attention but seeing him started to ignore his sister, watching Jake walk across the yard and prancing in excitement as he got close. He stroked the filly who calmed down and his sister stood up, smiling at him.
"You two seem to be bonding well." She commented, nodding at the filly who was still nudging him in hope of more attention. Jake nodded, scratching the horse behind her ear as he looked over his sister. "I wasn't expecting you yet to be honest, but yes, I'd say we're bonding well. I planned to have her ready by the time you came." Tyra smiled knowingly. "I know, but I was so excited about seeing how she's doing that i thought I'd help you out. To be honest, I have an idea of what to do with her today." Jake eyes his sister, looking completely confused. "Well, I thought we could give her a day to relax. You know, grooming, the pool, a walk on the fake beach, stuff like that. It's all good for her, and for you as you will get to know her more." she continued. Now, Jake smiled, nodding. "It sounds like a great idea, that's what we'lll do. I take it you're busy for the day?" Tyra shook her head. "No, I've cleared the day so i can help you out... You don't mind do you?" she asked, seeming worried but it was needless really. "I don't mind, come on. lets finish grooming her and spoil her for the day. It'll be great to spend time with you."
The brother and sister, whose only similar features were their short stature and green eyes, worked together on grooming the filly until she gleamed and put her in a black head collar, leading her away from the barns. the filly seemed nervous as they walked in the opposite direction to the track and pulled away at the lead rope but at a few calming words from Jake calmed down immensely, rubbing against him as she sort comfort, an act which had Tyra smiling for some reason.
They tied her to a post a little way from the stable and Tyra re-plaited her mane while Jake worked on the filly's tail. They walked her over to the pool and she seemed nervous, and in the end Jake got in to tempt the filly in. After a few minutes of seeing Jake in their she followed, plunging in, her chestnut coat instantly dying a deeper red as she followed her jockey around the pool. It was relaxing, the water taking the weight off her hooves, but tiring as she had to push through the water. Jake was glad to see her reacting well, as this would make for good stamina training and, if she was ever injured they would be able to treat her with any water therapy she needed.
After a while in the pool they led her out and Tyra watched as Jake and Kodi had a long moment together, Jake stroking the filly's head softly. He took her lead reign and started leading her again, this time ending at the sand stretches. The stretch, fenced, had proved useful for strengthening the yearling, Pirate's Treasure's legs but when they let Kodi in she seemed less than impressed, scratching at the sand beneath her and seeming a little nervous as she walked across it, obviously not used to the odd feel of it sifting beneath her hooves. Jake leant on the fence as he watched the filly slowly adjust but half an hour later she still didn't seem impressed so he put her back on the lead reign and took her out, leading her toward the stables again. When they got their he groomed her again and put her back in the stall, giving her a polo as a treat.
"You've been good today, Kodi-baby. I'll see you tomorrow, you just relax." He turned to see his sister stood behind him. "You really like her, don't you?" she asked and Jake nodded. "She's got a lot of potential and I want to bring it out in her." he told his sister. "Well, I'm glad. I think you will do well, and I really look forward to seeing how far you can take her... or is it how far she can take you?" The pair laughed lightly as they walked back toward the offices.