The Pegasus Cup

The Pegasus Cup

Amalie sighed as she put her hands on her hips proudly. She'd just signed the papers to put Epona in the mighty Pegasus Cup. Normally, before a race this big, Amalie would be nervous or at least skitty, requiring her 'Stable Boss' personality to manifest itself and drive everybody inside with her suddenly short temper, but not this time. No, this time she was eager to get out there and show off what her mare could do. 

It wasn't like Epona hadn't proven that she was a name worth remembering. If it wasn't for her racing ability, however lacklustre compared to other Antrium names she proved to be, it was for her Diva personality. She's the Lindsay Lohan of race horses, demanding and high-strung, people who wait on her are almost hostages until she gets what she desires. She demands first class care form everyone and because she is actually worth her weight in gold she gets it. 

Pity she isn't the type that demand first place from every race...

No, Amalie wasn't excited for this race in particular because Epona had anything to prove, she was excited for this race because she, Amalie McKenzie, had something to prove. 

Amalie had made herself a few rivals in her short career. Most notable was Eclipse, the rival of Abyaz in every way, the only horse to truly beat Abyaz at his own game. Eclipse was an example of a rival that was unhealthy; a blind rage overtook her every time she raced against him. The determination to win became and almost obsession. Looking back, she was lucky she overcame the rivalry when she did or it may have consumed her and she didn't fancy being as bitter as so many who lost their goals became. 

After beating Eclipse she found a much healthier rivalry in Daddy's Dollars and her now best friend Harley Givens. How beautifully ironic, to have another Chimeric race horse be the rival of Abyaz's daughter, considering Eclipse was almost the same colour as Dollars. Harley made it impossible to be bitter Against and the rivalry the pair had was friendly and playful. The nature of the rivalry barely had intensity at all and, especially after Dollars fall and the monster of a time that came with it for everyone, it eventually lost its fire in Amalie's eyes. 

This new competition she'd found herself was different from the previous times; it was not unhealthily fierce like Eclipse, nor was it light-hearted like Dollars. No, this was something far more exciting, far more motivating. Frog Legs of AutOre Farms. This horse didn't beat her by cheating. This horse didn't beat her by flukes. This horse didn't frustrate her by constantly flaunting it in her face that they won by strides, no, this horse, this stallion, and his jockey, beat her by skill. Frog Legs was an incredibly talented stallion, AutOre Farms worked for the first place winnings he received and every time he stood in the winners circle Amalie could not but be respectful of his effort. So many times she'd been put against horses that received first place out of favouritism that she found herself in awe of being bested by a horse that won through skill and hard work alone - there was no easy winning for this horse, Frog Legs and all the staff put visible effort into every race and it lit fire in her veins. The competitive fire was back and it meant one thing: Amalie wanted to beat him. 

He'd only beaten her twice. Only twice had he raced against her, along side her, but he'd beaten her both times and the delicious thing was he'd earned it. AutOre Farms and their outstanding performances pushed Amalie beyond her comfort zone, pushed her limits, had her striving to improve, to excel and, next time, to win. She wanted to beat Frog Legs but she wanted to do it through skill - like he continued to do. 

It was electrifying, having this new rivalry that didn't drag her down, rather - it pushed her to new heights, driving her to try things she'd never tried, accomplish things she'd never accomplished. It put a spring in her step, fire in his veins and a spark in her eye that proved contagious to all the other jockeys. Scott was more fired up that usual, the competitive fire flowing through him too even though he wouldn't be in the saddle. Ben, normally so composed and reserved, also had an almost feral delight in his eyes at the prospect of watching Epona race against the seal bay champion - at the possibility of beating him. 

Their eagerness didn't die down even as they left for Heathrow airport. Music blared from the radio as the trio had a mini party at the wheel, buzzed for the journey. When they were loading their precious Madam into the plane's travel box they bumped into a familiar set of faces; the staff of Portys Pride Royal Racing loading up Widow, Loop and Bonfire. Portys Pride was more well known to Antrium for their involvement in the Pastore Regale Italiano dog breed that Antrium Kennels prioritised in. The staff looked eager to get to Florida, too, but they looked a great deal more tired than anything. They had just unloaded off a previous flight and hadn't had a break in between. Perhaps after the race Amalie would try invite then out for a drink. 

After arriving in the hot sun of the tropical USA and the short drive to Gulfstream Park they were unloading Epona and leading her into the guest stables when Amalie noticed, with a smile, that something was amiss. 

"Scott, why are you in your pjs?" She asked with a snigger. Ben, too, have having trouble holding in his laughter. The blonde teen just looked back with the casual confidence only he could exude in this situation. 

"We've just been travelling for 17 hours," he mock whined, lumping the truck and plane ride together, "I couldn't be bothered changing into fancy clothes only to get to the guest lodge and change again after my shower - I bags that first by the way - besides," he called over his shoulder, "I still look fabulously better than the Americans even in my pyjamas!" 

Both Amalie and Ben jeered at him then, Amalie ready to let Harley and Colton hear that so they could put Scott in his place, but it was all in good fun and after the journey they'd had they were very happy to let Scott keep their spirits up. The three of them made sure Epona was settled and taken care of - aka everything meeting her standards, of course - then filing into the guest accommodation for a few hours well deserved rest. 

Soon they'd be racing Frog Legs. This time she wouldn't be so distracted by Harley - he had since recovered from his accident had visibly adjusted to racing with one eye - she wouldn't be constantly checking that Triton was still racing, no, this time she'd be fully concentrated on the race. As soon as those starting gates opened she'd give everyone a race to remember.

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