rich^in.glory

[Morgan]

FILTHY RICH

Morgan could barely keep herself together that morning with all the excitement. She found herself speed walking out of her house and by the barns, rushing to the trailer that had recently arrived. Owen was already there talking with the driver. Morgan stopped next to him but hardly listened to their conversation, staring intensely at the trailer, trying to look through the tinted windows. She saw a flash of white and listened as he neighed thrillingly, trying to figure out where he was. Morgan was broken out of her trance when the driver said, "Come on, I'll help you unload him, then I have to go drop a few other horses off."

Morgan jumped, feeling just like a kid, and walked over to the back of the trailer as the driver and Owen unloaded the horse. She helped lead the bay colt out of the back, slowly backing him up to make sure he didn't trip. Once out Morgan stared at Filthy Rich in awe. "He's stunning!" she said as Richie pricked his ears, his glossy bay coat glowing as he gazed out at Riverwood Acres. After the driver said goodbye and drove back out of Riverwood Acres. Morgan and Owen led Richie back to the stable to let him get used to his new home.

It had been a few days since Richie's arrival. Morgan had been working with him off the track, like walking around for a few hours or swimming in their therapeutic pool. He had been decently calm, and as the description on his sale had said, pretty mature for his young age. Morgan couldn't help but laugh whenever Richie danced and neighed hysterically when Xal or Song passed by. Morgan made sure to stay away from the broodmare paddocks, Richie would probably take off or go into some salsa dance. Morgan wouldn't be surprised by either. Yet when around other colts or stallions, Richie held his head high and had found himself to be at the top of the pecking order. Surprisingly he and Criminal have become the best of friends since he's arrived. If they were people, they'd be the class clowns going crazy in school and making everyone die laughing.

Morgan hauled herself up onto Richie's back. He stood calmly, swishing his tail idly as he stared out across the track. She tightened her reins and shifted her weight on his back. She gave a slight nudge with her heels to get him moving. They walked around the track once, to get Richie used to the whole idea of the new surface and area. He handled in all really well for a two year old and just kept walking. Every once in a while he would lift his head to stare at a passing bird, or watch another horse gallop on the inside rail, but he never spooked. Morgan kept him at a forward pace before they reached the starting point again where she asked him for a forward gallop. He jumped a bit, surprising Morgan, but she gripped his mane and held on, urging him to pick up the pace.

After galloping at a quicker pace than normal, Morgan slowed Richie to a gentle and relaxing gallop. He chewed on his bit in annoyance, wanting to bolt and show off his speed, but Morgan kept him from sprinting. She let his black mane tickle her face as she listened to his hooves smack the dirt. His nostrils were flared as he still fought to run, just wanted to sprint all out, but Morgan still wouldn't let him, always keeping a firm grip on the reins. For a while the two galloped slowly around the track. Eventually Richie gave in and settled down to the gallop. As the two came around again, Morgan asked him for the sprint he'd been saving.

He grabbed at the bit, digging his heels into the earth as he thrust himself forwards. Morgan loosened her reins squeezing her heels into his sides, urging him to go faster. Wind smacked her face as Richie stretched out his neck, his pace quickening. His nostrils flared even more, now pink as he brought in air, fighting to beat his invisible opponent. Morgan sat low on his back, letting the wind slide over her. She kept her eyes positioned on the track ahead, surprised at Richie's sudden speed. She thought he'd have nothing left in him, but boy was she wrong. The two flew by the finish line in a blur, Morgan could only see a white streak across her vision. She let him run it off a little after, but then began to pull him up. "Whoa boy," she said, leaning over to pet his glossy bay neck. Once he had slowed down to a nice walk, she led him back to the barn to get a nice bath a nice rest before his next race.

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