The unsinkable ship

Hokkai Ranch.

"How did it go?"

Some time had passed since Gold Ship began training. Though Ship was a little mischievous, he was still quite serious and hardworking about training in his younger days.

His reputation as the unsinkable ship was well earned.

"Basically, simple commands aren't a problem now, but we'll have to see him run to know how he really does."

Megumi Mitsumori answered as she stroked Ship.

A racehorse had so much to learn before he could race. They also needed to record all kinds of data, then decide on a running style and a jockey.

Even entering and leaving the starting gate could become a major hurdle.

"Let's take him around the training track when we get back. He'll need to start his daily training anyway."

Koichi took out a carrot and offered it to Ship.

He was still fairly cautious around Ship. After all, there was no telling when he might pull something outrageous.

Neigh-!

At the sight of the carrot, Gold Ship felt full of energy again.

His work was still pretty easy for now.

Every day, he practiced simple commands, then ran a lap around the grounds.

After training, he got his favorite carrots every day, and when he had nothing else to do, he could tease his trainer.

"Why don't we give it a try first?"

Megumi Mitsumori looked at Ship, then at Koichi.

She certainly wouldn't dare ride Gold Ship herself. Besides, Koichi was the only jockey at the ranch right now.

"I don't mind. We can give it a little try."

Koichi had no objections.

He would probably have to handle the training from now on anyway, and might even ride him in races.

"Then I'll go get the tack. You two wait here."

Megumi Mitsumori also wanted to see the results of her training.

Having Koichi test things out was perfect. If someone else got hurt, they would have to pay the medical bills.

Neigh-?

Gold Ship looked questioningly at Koichi beside him.

No work today?

Within a few minutes, Megumi Mitsumori brought over a full set of tack.

Some of the equipment racehorses wore on the track wasn't there to look good, but primarily to prevent problems with the horses themselves.

For example, some racehorses had trouble concentrating while running or were difficult to control.

"Coming, coming."

"You really brought every piece of tack over, huh?"

Looking at the pile of equipment, Koichi couldn't help commenting.

Still, when it came to Ship, every last piece really could come in handy.

Equipment handed down through the family.

"Well, we need to try them one at a time, so I brought everything."

Megumi Mitsumori let out a soft breath.

In her opinion, a horse that liked to cause mischief would definitely need plenty of tack to help.

Even entering and leaving the starting gate might become a problem later.

Neigh-!

Seeing all that equipment being brought over, Gold Ship immediately backed up several steps.

Fortunately, Koichi quickly caught hold of him.

"Don't be scared. None of this will hurt you."

He quickly activated Calming. This really was Ship's first time seeing these things.

"Then I'll start with the simplest setup. Be careful."

Megumi Mitsumori turned to glance at him.

Riding a racehorse was dangerous, after all. There was no way to guarantee that the horse would obediently listen.

"Don't worry. I'm a professional."

With his skill, Koichi wasn't afraid at all.

Still, it was better to be cautious. Falling off a horse was no small matter.

Neigh-!

As soon as he mounted, Gold Ship started acting up.

After all, he suddenly had extra weight on his back, and he found the feeling very unpleasant.

Several quick, high-stepping jolts made Koichi grip the reins tightly.

"Easy, Ship."

Watching from the side, Megumi Mitsumori was even more frightened.

If she had known, she would have added a few more pieces of tack. Koichi wasn't wearing protective gear this time, either.

Snort-!

Snort-!

After acting up for a while, Gold Ship slowly calmed down.

The skill was working to its fullest.

"All right. We're fine now."

Koichi gently patted his neck.

This skill really is useful.

"Come on. Let's try running over there."

Koichi used the reins to guide Gold Ship toward the track.

That lap around their own track certainly demonstrated Gold Ship's tremendous strength.

But getting commands through to him was still very difficult, though that was partly because he had only just started training.

For instance, Gold Ship practically ignored his rein cues and ran however he pleased.

The only cues he could learn were those from the riding crop.

Ship had ideas of his own.

"How's the data looking?"

"Pretty good. Ship's numbers definitely aren't a problem, though ultimately we'll still have to see the results of his qualification test."

Megumi Mitsumori recorded all the data from this session.

Only after passing the qualification test could Ship gallop freely on JRA racetracks.

The qualification test was much like an entrance exam.

Of course, there were chances to retake it.

But judging by Gold Ship's current performance, entering him for the qualification test now would just be throwing money away.

It was hard to get him to follow any of these commands.

"Looks like we'll need to increase his training a little for a while. At the very least, Ship needs to understand what these commands mean."

Koichi couldn't stay by Ship's side all the time, either.

"No problem."

Megumi Mitsumori nodded.

After seeing what happened today, she had a new direction for her future training methods and approach.

Even when Koichi wasn't around, she could try riding Gold Ship herself.

Of course, the tack would have to be much more elaborate than today's.

No matter how she looked at it, Gold Ship wouldn't let her mount easily, and even giving him commands would be difficult. The tack was there to make him more obedient.

"Then I'll take Ship around for another lap. Go get Mirai."

Koichi said.

He felt he still needed to get a better feel for things.

"Okay."

Megumi Mitsumori sent a message, then reset the stopwatch to zero.

"Ship, let's go."

Neigh-!

Gold Ship was much more cooperative this time, galloping straight ahead.

Steady pace, speed up, turn left, turn right.

On the second run, Koichi still focused on giving Gold Ship commands.

The first run had already used up quite a bit of Gold Ship's stamina, so this time, there was no need to sprint as they had before.

More important than a horse's own ability was getting him to understand and trust his jockey.

These were also the things that tested a trainer's ability.

Snort-!

Gold Ship still resisted some of Koichi's commands, but he was doing considerably better than on the first run.

Watching the pair galloping along the track, Megumi Mitsumori thought quickly.

This really was a difficult challenge for a newcomer like her.

(End of chapter)