Beginnings

"I've done it! I've found you a new rider," Jimmy boldly announced one morning as he bounced into the barn.

Astrid set the hoof she was picking down, and straightened up. Behind Jimmy she saw a gangly teenage boy, who stood about a head taller than the seasoned jockey. But since she knew Jimmy meant him to be a jump jockey, height wasn't going to be a factor since the weights were significantly higher than flat races.

"Tasin really needs a consistant rider, and since Tupan is still going in his career I can't ride both... but Rhett here will make the perfect contract jockey for you - in addition to myself, of course."

Astrid brushed her hands on her jeans before offering it to the boy. "What kind of experience do you have?" She asked him.

"Pony club and eventing - that's what my mom really wanted me to do, was be an eventer. She really stressed the dressage part, growing up. But I want to be a jockey."

Astrid smiled. Jimmy knew how to win her over, that was for sure. They'd been at odds since the colt was born, she had bred him with plans of a future as a star eventer, Jimmy only saw the colt's sire and was determined to make him a chaser as well. Unfortunately, with her hands full trying to progress her other horses' careers, she hadn't been able to spend the time she would have liked with Tasin. He was decently broke, but sorely in need of being challenged. The bottom line was that she needed to hire another rider, and Jimmy had found her one that potentially could go whichever direction her colt ended up traveling.

"Well, let's see what Tasin thinks of you. You have time for a ride?"