Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

"I actually won."

The moment he crossed the finish line, Kitano's face was slightly moved.

[Horses under your name won three races: 3/3 (completed)]

[Reward: Green Amulet × 5]

[Horses owned won three dirt races: 3/3 (completed)]

[Reward: Green Amulet × 5]

He closed the translucent window that popped up in front of him and clenched his fists lightly.

Then, I couldn't help but wave it.

"Great!"

Ogawa Sheng raised his hands high in celebration.

With a sweet smile, Ogawa Kanna was also pleased with her own judgment.

Even Xu Hezhang had an unconcealable smile on his face.

The priority breeding right of the declaration of war——

For a newly established small ranch like Nishiken, this is definitely a great encouragement.

He was even impatient to start thinking about the breeding plan for next year.

"Congratulations, Mr. Kitano!"

In front of the inspection room, Tanaka greeted Kitano warmly.

"It was a tough battle, but it's great to win."

Grabbing Kitano's shoulders, Tanaka patted him hard.

Having not yet recovered from the aftermath of the game, Kitano was jumbled around responding to various similar or different congratulations.

The final results announced on the bulletin board showed that the distances between the first three moves were the nose difference and the neck difference respectively.

For Mudai Baima, it was undoubtedly a battle of fundamentals decided by a hair's breadth.

Before the race, I received advice from Master Tanaka and Representative Ogawa, saying, "This distance might be a bit difficult, but you can give it a try."

I registered for the competition according to the original plan, and I was a little nervous from the beginning.

"Is 1,500 meters really possible?"

With such doubts in mind, I came to the Monbetsu Racecourse today.

Then, I witnessed the unexpected release of a man and a horse.

On the last straight stretch facing the stands, I was almost caught.

Oh no—

This was the real mentality at that time.

Even Kitano, who considers himself a beginner in horse racing, is well aware of the disadvantages of the leading horse when dealing with opponents behind.

But neither Medaima nor the Ochiai rider gave in easily, and they stubbornly resisted the attack from behind.

The moment I crossed the finish line, I felt another inexplicable emotion besides the joy of victory.

He took a deep breath.

"Really. Thank you very much."

Then, he bent down and said this to the Ochiai rider who came out of the inspection room.

"No, this is my side."

Ochiai lowered his head slightly in response.

Although various decisions were made during the game, the final victory still depended on Mudai Baima's own performance.

Horse racing is a process in which humans and horses work closely together to perform well.

As a rider, he was just doing his job.

During the Kuchitori ceremony, Medodayama lowered his head listlessly.

Perhaps because he was too tired, he looked much quieter than when he won for the first time.

"After this competition, you can try to take a break for a while."

Before taking the photo, Tanaka gave Kitano his advice.

The range of Medaima has been roughly determined.

There is no need to think too much about the next 1700 meters, at least at this stage.

Moreover, the consumption after this competition seems to be greater than expected.

Rather than continuing to participate in the two-year-old limited competition with low bounties, it is better to graze and rest for a period of time, and then consider the route of travel based on the condition at that time.

"I think so too."

Kitano nodded.

Medahira looked quite tired.

Large areas of his fur were wet, and under the saddle, the friction between sweat and dust produced conspicuous foam.

After putting down the mouth and taking the rope, Kitano patted the horse's head.

It's time to give it a good rest.

Chapter 45 Daily Life in the Stable

The day after the competition.

"Time to take a shower, Oh-chan."

Ogawa Masaru stuck his head through the gate and spoke in the softest voice possible.

He was greeted by the figure of the chestnut horse huddled in the corner, motionless.

In fact, it’s not so dirty that I have to take a shower.

Ocean Fleet2024 is not the kind of horse that likes to make a fuss.

Even if they are frightened, they often just stay where they are or look for a nearby corner to hide.

Compared to Medaipei who often gets himself covered in dust and has to take a bath every one or two weeks, Ocean Fleet2024 usually stays relatively clean.

It's the type where even if you don't take a bath for a month or two, there won't be any obvious signs.

However, Ogawa Sheng still strictly follows the schedule set by his father and regularly cleans every horse in the stable.

Today is the day for Ocean Fleet2024 to take a bath.

"Be good, let's go take a shower."

Slowly approaching the corner, it didn't take much effort to successfully fasten the leash.

After spending these days together, Ocean Fleet2024 is no longer as averse to getting along with him as it was at the beginning.

Of course, too close contact is still not acceptable.

The journey to the bathroom with Ocean Fleet2024 was smooth.

However, it is likely that things will not be the same next time.

The petite chestnut horse, who was afraid of most things, naturally also rejected bathing.

It's not that I hate taking a bath itself, but I'm afraid of things like shower heads, rags, brushes, etc.

In this regard, the solution given by Ogawa Jang is still desensitization training.

However, at least until desensitization is completed, taking a bath will be a somewhat difficult task for Ocean Fleet2024 and Ogawa Masaru.

After fastening the leash, the boy first took out his cell phone.

Select a piece of music with a soothing rhythm and click play.

Instead of using the shower head right away, he gently wiped his head with a cloth dampened with water.

The chestnut horse's lips trembled slightly, but he still closed his eyes obediently.

After Ocean Fleet2024 was almost relaxed, he aimed the shower head, which had been deliberately turned down, at the chestnut horse's body.

The next moment, Ocean Fleet2024 let out a sharp scream like a pig being slaughtered.

"Good boy~Good boy."

Ogawa Katsu had no choice but to use one hand to hold the chestnut horse's head and stroke it back and forth, trying to calm its emotions in this way.

However, it doesn't seem to be very effective.

Moreover, it is quite strenuous.

After a while, his arms were filled with numbness and soreness.

But if you let go, Ocean Fleet2024's head will start shaking restlessly again.

I had no choice but to maintain this posture.

After finishing rinsing the area above the neck, Ogawa Katsu temporarily put down the shower head.

Ocean Fleet2024 then raised its head and hummed with a hint of grievance.

However, Erduo still had no intention of carrying it on his back.

It seems that because of the pain of dealing with the white horse, I felt particularly relaxed when bathing Ocean Fleet2024.

It won't suddenly raise its hoof to kick someone, or take something away when he isn't paying attention.

When cleaning the sole of the hoof, even if they are a little reluctant, they will lift it up obediently.

"Finish--"

After combing his mane neatly, Xuhe Sheng let out a satisfied exclamation.

It only takes two-thirds of the time it takes to play with Mu Baima!

Sooner or later, even Medaihira will be able to deal with it calmly.

Ogawa Sheng thought so.

However, after taking a shower, Ocean Fleet2024 looked completely depressed.

"Okay, you can go back now."

He spoke softly, patting the chestnut horse's head.

Ocean Fleet2024 shook off his hand somewhat unwillingly.

Even the carrot piece that was stuffed into his mouth as a reward was pushed away.

The relationship that had finally been improved seemed to be heading towards deterioration.

In this regard, Ogawa Katsuya can only hope that his father will show his true ability and complete Oh-chan's desensitization training as soon as possible.

Back in the stable, the chestnut horse hid in a familiar corner as soon as the leash was untied.

"Come and eat, oh-chan——"

Xu Hesheng grabbed a handful of fresh grass and shook it in his hand.

Turning his head, Ocean Fleet2024 did not seem to be tempted by the grass.

She even turned to face the wall and pointed her butt at Ogawa Katsu.

Although I still haven't turned my ears, I can definitely feel that he is angry.

I guess I'm really hated.

"Then I'll put it here for now."

Scratching his head, he put the grass into the food bowl.

Then he closed the gate and left the stable.

After a while, Ocean Fleet2024 quietly turned its head.