Cross Thoroughbred Racing Facility

[Story]

Early morning sunlight seemed to illuminate the mist that loomed over the racetrack. Despite being so early in the day, business had started for many. Equine and humanistic figures stirred and drifted along. It was nearly silent, save for faint birdsong, distant voices, and the occasional nicker or whinny of a horse.

The golden light shone through the mist softly, catching the dirt surface of the track and throwing the deep gauges of hooves into relief, shadows scarring the soil. The rapidly approaching rhythm of hooves to ground crescendoed as a powerful Thoroughbred galloped past a figure on the rail. The staccato click of the stopwatch and soft scratch of the pencil came as times were recorded.



This was the everyday life of the racetrack, as predictable as the course of a swiftly moving river. Everything worked like clockwork. The feedings, training, races. Old railbirds hung about, keeping an eye for horses showing potential and comparing to favorite horses, reminiscing for the old days perhaps. The track remained as untouched as the old days where the only changes were the names, dates, and faces.



As a jockey, you are determined to make something of yourself. You must get that horse and ride to fame. As you study the young Thoroughbred examining its surroundings, you reflect on how this horse might be able to make the cut. Perhaps this horse would ride to fame with you in the irons.



"Hey-are you listening to me?" A grizzled old trainer lightly smacks your shoulder with a Daily Racing Forms paper. Startled, you blink and wait for him to speak.



"This horse is doing well in training but it's time to step up. We're sending the horse to a breeding and training facility located in West Virginia. You're going with the horse to work 'em and when the time comes, race 'em." The trainer spoke in a gruff, detached voice. "Pack up and be ready before noon. You leave today." With that said, he disappeared, leaving you with the horse and a groom.

---

To join, see the Information Section and look for Cross TB Racing Facility Joining Page
For more information on this roleplay and anything to do with racing, see Cross Thoroughbred Racing Facility Info Page.

[Story]

<sub>Morning dawned on a new day, painting the creamy skies pink at first, and then a brilliant gold that was softened by a light mist curling down from the forest-covered mountains. With the start of the new day came new life at Cross Thoroughbred Racing Facility. Heavily pregnant broodmares paced restlessly in their stalls in the broodmare and foal wing of the stables, moodily demanding breakfast or nickering sweetly for attention from the grooms working nearby. Young Thoroughbred foals drowsed beside their mothers or attempted to poke their heads over the stall doors to see the activity going on in the stable aisles.

Aiden Cross surveyed the facility with a small surge of satisfaction. The past six months had been extremely stressful for him, watching as everyone began to leave the facility. He'd had to make a lot of arrangements to take care of his broodmares, stallions, and foals while construction happened over the winter months. There'd been a lot of changes to the facility and he was pretty satisfied with what the results were. The facility was finally open again. Few people had remained at the facility during the winter months, but those that did had given Aiden companionship during the holidays. With no family around, he would have been completely alone during a time that was supposed to be filled with warmth and happiness.

The young facility owner entered the Stallions and Colts wing of the barn. The stud horses were kept in stalls down the aisle, while the younger colts were kept closer to the front of the barn. Aiden had purchased a few yearlings that he'd seen potential in the year before and was satisfied with their improvements in their schooling. They'd begin their training for racing and hopefully start racing by the end of the summer. He paused to rub the nose of a lanky chestnut colt who had yet to fill out so he wasn't so gangly, before he continued down the aisle. He turned into the Mares and Fillies wing. It had much the same layout as the previous barn.

The stables had been expanded and divided so there was less stress, especially among the horses. Stallions weren't quite so distracted by the mares that went through their cycles because they were no longer stabled next to one another. It also ensured that no more accidental breedings happened, unless someone were especially careless, namely in placement of the pastures, which had the same arrangement. Colts and stallions were released into the same pastures, mares and fillies were released in their own pastures, and the broodmares in foal or with foals to a separate pasture. Aiden had also hired on a manager for each barn to ensure that everything was in order.

Eventually, he exited the stables, glancing across the stableyard to the bunkhouse. It seemed empty, but not for long, he hoped. He had made sure that the announcement went public that the facility was open for visits and boarding again, so that others would come to the facility. He still had the fear that no one would come, either by returning or arriving for the first time. He knew, though, that the facility would continue to thrive.

He drew in a deep breath and squared his shoulders. He was ready for whatever would come next.</sub>

[Leo]

<sub>Skya's classy white Dodge Ram came pulling in, it's engine purring loudly. She was so tiny to be driving such a mean duly, for when she stepped out the truck she only measured to 5'3". Her hair was windblown and crazy, falling down her back in tangled golden waves. A smirk was evident on her face as she shut the door. High-pitched whinnying came from the long trailer hitched to the back of the pickup. Stomping and rustling, curious brown eyes peeked out the small windows. The thoroughbreds were eager to come out and see the place.

Her bright hazel eyes found  Aiden and she waved a bit flirtatiously to him, but that was just her nature. Devious side smile still in tact, she pulled down the ramp to the trailer and vanished inside, coming out with her hands full of two lead ropes. One horse was still tied inside the big, fancy trailer though, and he began to make ruckus as he was left inside, snorting and stomping in agitation.

Leading two well-bred stallions, a tall, lean grey thoroughbred with black locks and dark eyes, and a shorter but denser, more developed and matured dark brown stud with rich brown coloring and a big irregular star. Both were proven gentle giants, holding their heads high and walking on either side of the jockey obsequiously.

"Hey Aiden," She greeted as she passed, winking. Skya Ann was back where she belonged.</sub>

[Story]

<sub>Aiden lifted his gaze in surprise as he heard a familiar voice. He spotted Skya and greeted her without thinking about it. After a pause, confusion crossed his face as he watched her walk past with her horses. She seemed different than the last time he'd seen her. This was more like the Skya that he'd first gotten to know. "Do you want me to go grab the last horse in your trailer," He offered, hurrying to catch up. He no longer walked with a heavy limp and his usual baseball cap was left behind. His mousy brown hair was ruffled up a touch, but not from mousse. His hazel blue eyes were bright and he moved with more energy, no longer dragged down by so much stress.

He was going to try to help Skya settle down into the facility, and then take Shadow out to the pasture. The stallion was one of the primary studs, but Aiden sometimes took him out for a quick gallop on the practice track to keep him entertained, as well as to keep him fit. Aiden had recently taken his jockey license out again, meaning that he could participate in races. With the help of an assistant in the office, he now had more free time, too.</sub>

[Leo]

<sub>Skya let out a little giggle at Aiden's confusion. Her hazel eyes roved around then went back to the trailer. One of her shaped eyebrows kinked up a bit and the corner of her mouth twitched. "Sure," she bit her bottom lip to contain a chuckle, before bringing her horses to their designated stables. Culver was comforted by the familiarity of his companions; the two stallions seemed to be fine next to one another, which usually wasn't the case for two uncut male horses.

Dziki Aniol snorted inside the trailer, ears flicking and twitching. He reeked of anticipation, long legs shifting incessantly in a continuous pattern. His face turned to stare at the entrance of the man-made structure, tail flicking and blue eyes bright. He was still short for a racehorse, though it seemed like he had grown a couple inches so he wasn't as undersized and had filled in some. His body was defined with muscular strength and his neck was arched with pride. He was the same old horse, but something about him made him even easier to look at. He didn't look like a little ungainly guy who thought himself to be all macho when he wasn't compared to the rest. Aniol was the real deal, a little horse with a big heart.</sub>

[Story]

<sub>Aiden had no idea of the potential trouble in store as he, too, took up a lead rope and entered carefully, minding the horse's legs. "Hey, fella, you're alright. I'm gonna get you outta here." He ran a hand along the colt's body as he sidled past so he wouldn't spook when he appeared in his view. "Gorgeous boy, aren't you?" Nearing his head, he clipped the lead rope on, and removed the ties that kept the colt secure. "C'mon, here we go. Some fresh air and a new home." He didn't know this colt, so he moved with caution.

Shadow Hunter lifted his large head from where he'd been picking at his hay net, lips still working as he turned to appraise the new arrivals. He let out a quiet nicker of greeting, always the friendly horse. He hadn't yet recognized who it was leading the horses, but he was pleased to have some sort of company. So long as he was given attention, too.</sub>

[Leo]

<sub>Dziki Aniol's head rose at the sense of another presence. His ears were angled back slightly, nostrils flared a bit as he took in the air. This wasn't his Skya. He whipped his head around to get a look and stepped to the side a little. He pulled on the ties a bit, hesitating when the lead rope was fastened on his halter. When the ties were officially undone, he pinned his ears and yanked his head up, snorting down at Aiden. His back hoof came up to touch his stomach and slammed down with force in warning that if the short man tried anything, he'd react with no mercy. The colt began to back up a little, pulling his head every which way. When his rear end finally bumped into one of the walls of the trailer, he threw his leg out almost immediately and kicked it in response. The sound echoed a bit.


Skya had her hands full, but when she passed she made a kissy noise to Shadow. Once her horses were settled in she paid him a visit, rubbing his ears. "Hey big boy." She ran her hand down the black stallion's glossy, long neck and made a popping noise as she kissed his forehead, hands now holding his cheeks in place. "Long time no see," She smiled broadly, showing off her one dimple. She figured she'd need to check on Aniol and Aiden soon. Aniol didn't like new people.</sub>

[Story]

<sub>Aiden cursed softly under his breath when the colt began to kick and scrabble back. He held still, keeping a distance in an attempt to let the colt know that he wasn't a threat, but also wasn't about to be frightened away. "Easy, buddy. We're going to see Skya...you know her. I just want to get you out of the trailer." He whispered things like this continuously, hoping that the horse would begin to settle down. It was beginning to dawn on him that maybe Skya had purposefully neglected to tell him that her colt either had no training or had a temper. It'd be just like her to try causing a little trouble as a prank now and then. He decided it'd be better not to continue moving. He would rather not have the colt injure himself. Skya wouldn't be happy and he didn't feel like inciting her well-known fury so early on in the day.

Shadow's ears flew forward in interest at the sounds she'd made and he let out another soft rumble in greeting. He seemed to recognize her finally. A sharper bang sounded farther down the way as the notorious wide-blazed palomino head of Gallant Marines swung out to glare at the new arrivals. The stallion glared balefully out at the humans, though he was mainly displeased about his breakfast not being in his net just yet. The grooms had yet to get to his stall.</sub>

[Cloudy]

_[here!]

[Horse]

Sadie was out in the stables at the moment, her little, precious daughter perched on her hip as the young, 24 year old jockey moved through the colt's aisle towards the filly's wing of the stables. Sadie was dressed in shorts, and a flowy white tanktop. Charlie was in a sundress, and she had a handful of mother' long blonde hair, [assuming it's summer or spring?]

Charlie had a been grin plastered on her face, and she cooed at the pretty horses they passed. Finally, Sadie found Sunkissed Lullaby's stall. The cherry bay filly napped at the back of her stall, head drooped, ears slacked. Sadie clicked her tongue and LuLu lifted her head, and moved closer to the mother and daughter. Lulu snuffled the baby, and Charlie smiles widely.

[sorry, short, on phone.]