Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

He subconsciously overlooked the fact that both his son and daughter had already left for the city with the expedition group.

Without those two guys making noise in front of me, it would be a little too uncomfortable for a short while.

Even the troublemaker Pegasus left.

After packing up the tools, I hung up the new amulets given by horse fans in front of the stable.

Ocean Fleet2024 poked its head out curiously, its half-exposed tongue wagging.

"Both people and horses must be safe."

After clapping his hands and finishing his prayer, he came to the chestnut horse's stable.

"Next year, you have to work harder too—"

As he said this, he reached out and poked its exposed tongue.

It seemed that he was very happy with this kind of game, until a few minutes later Ocean Fleet2024 reluctantly retracted his head back to the stable.

Then, he immersed himself in enjoying his Christmas dinner.

On the other side, festive decorations were also hung in front of the stables at Kobayashi Ranch.

However, since most employees are on vacation, the atmosphere on the ranch is even quieter than usual.

In the conference room, the Kentucky Expedition continued yesterday's discussion.

"The situation of dirt track racing in the United States is completely different from that in Japan, and I should say that it is completely different from that in most other regions."

Ogawa Kana pressed the play button, and the projected slideshow moved to the next page.

“Even in the U.S., there are significant differences between tracks on the West Coast and the East Coast.”

The slide showed something like a cross-section of the track material.

It was to the point where Kitano couldn't understand it at all.

"So if possible, please prepare in advance."

After saying that, the girl turned her head and looked at Kitano.

"understood."

Kitano nodded slightly and replied with a serious expression.

"I was asking if you had anything to add."

Ogawa Kanna's slightly tense delicate face suddenly fell.

"Probably not."

Turning his head away somewhat awkwardly, Kitano opened the exquisitely packaged food box on the table.

"So that's all about the meeting."

When I opened the food box, I found that it contained roasted chicken that had been processed before being delivered.

In recent years, turkey has become a classic dish at Christmas banquets even in Japan.

In Japanese, it means seven-sided chicken.

This is a popular recommended course meal at a restaurant in Kitano where you can order Christmas banquet dishes.

Although I don't quite understand the connection between turkey and Christmas.

In addition to grilled chicken, the main dish is pasta, and the sauce comes in two different styles: black pepper and tomato.

"Merry Chrismas."

He raised his glass and toasted to all the collaborators in the camp.

What Ogawa Katsu was holding was a non-alcoholic champagne drink.

dong dong dong-

There was a heavy and rapid knock on the door outside the meeting room.

"Sam Potter?"

When Huangshan opened the door of the conference room, he was shocked by the scene in front of him.

The man standing outside the door was very tall, carrying a bulky retro leather suitcase in his hand and a mountaineering bag that looked quite heavy on his back.

"Finally meeting you guys, Merry Christmas!"

As he spoke, the man opened his arms and hugged Huangshan tightly.

Thanks to REN Lian for the 500 starting coins reward,

Thank you for your support

Ciallo～(∠ω<)⌒★

Chapter 87 The Sixth Member of the Expedition

"You said you were a hoof trimmer?"

After pounding his chest which was choked and felt stuffy, Huangshan looked up at the tall man in front of him.

"Yes! My name is Joseph Schmidt, and my great-grandfather has been a hoof trimmer since the beginning of our family."

A friendly smile appeared on the blond man's face.

"Just call me Zep."

Kitano stood up in surprise.

Actually came?

If I remember correctly, he only gave the response yesterday evening that an on-site interview was required.

If the man who called himself Zep really came from Germany, it meant that he set off almost immediately after receiving the reply.

"Oh, Mejiro!"

Putting down the suitcase, Zep looked at Kitano with shining eyes.

"No, it should be Mr. Kitano!"

The burly blond man charged over like a bull and grabbed Kitano's wrist with excessive enthusiasm.

"Please take care of me, Mr. Kitano!"

As if he had practiced many times, Zepu suddenly spoke standard and fluent Japanese.

"Please, please take care of me."

Kitano couldn't help but be shocked.

It’s not that I was intimidated by Zep’s huge physique.

After all, for guys who deal with large livestock all year round, such a physique is no big deal.

However, he is still not very good at dealing with overly enthusiastic people.

"Well, thank you Mr. Zep for your attention to us, but you should have read our fundraising requirements, right?"

Kitano looked at the fussy German man in front of him with some suspicion.

"Experienced, with overseas experience, and good at English, all three conditions are met!"

Zep broke off three fingers seriously and showed a confident smile on his face.

Then he opened the suitcase with his butt sticking out, and after rummaging around for a while, he found an A4-sized certificate from a compartment.

"This is a Hufbeschneider (Basic Hoof Trimmer) license issued by the Bavarian State Association of Craftsmen!"

"What was it?"

As for German, it is completely incomprehensible.

In the end, I was able to understand the contents of the certificate with the help of a mobile phone translator.

"Name: Joseph Schmidt, Date of Birth: March 1, 2006, Examination Date: June 15, 2025, Basic Level Hoof Trimmer, Valid for the Federal Republic of Germany."

Xu Hesheng confirmed the license number from the official website of the Bavarian State Chamber of Crafts.

He is indeed a certified hoof trimmer.

But what surprised Kitano was Zep's age.

"You're only nineteen years old?"

He asked in disbelief.

However, if you look closely, you can see that Zep's face, which is mostly covered by a rough beard, does have a youthful skin.

In addition, the German hoof trimmer's eyes revealed a clarity unique to young people.

Just like Ogawa Masaru.

Completely unaware of the fact that he had been secretly offended, the white-haired boy was looking at the hoof trimmer of the same age with a look of shock.

In his impression, most hoof trimmers are uncles or old men in their fifties or sixties.

"I've been interning in my dad's workshop since I was old enough to hold a sledge hammer. Come and see if you don't believe me."

As if mistakenly thinking that Kitano had doubts about his experience, Zepu took out his cell phone and gestured anxiously.

Then, he hurriedly showed a photo to everyone.

In the photo, a man who looked similar to Zep was sitting shirtless at the door of a small workshop, holding a wrinkled baby in his arms.

"No! It's this one—"

Zep swiped the screen with an embarrassed look on his face.

Then, the photo on the phone turned into a scene of the blond boy holding a hammer with some difficulty.

"Sorry, but we didn't mean to doubt your abilities."

While struggling to resist Zep's enthusiasm that was almost becoming tangible, Kitano asked in confusion: "I just don't understand why you are so enthusiastic?"

"I love Mejiro, and I can't wait to join you!"

Zep answered without hesitation.

"My grades were terrible at first. I had to retake equine anatomy and hoof care for two consecutive semesters."

The rambunctious German suddenly quieted down and spoke in a calm tone, "Dad was so disappointed at the time that he even considered closing the workshop."

"I was thinking I might as well just die, and it was in that mess that I came into contact with 'Sai○Niang'."

Even in Japan, where otaku are prevalent, people still have to tie their stomachs tightly before making such remarks in public.

“Then I learned there was a racehorse called Mejiro McQueen in Japan.”

Zep raised his head, and something seemed to be flashing in his eyes.

"Glory and setbacks are only a fine line apart. It was this exotic racehorse that raced so vigorously decades ago that gave me the courage to live."

There was a long silence around.

Kitano pursed his lips and then released them several times before finally saying with difficulty, "I'm sorry, but I still need to discuss this with the trainer Huangshan at the stables."

Zep turned his head and looked at the barren mountain eagerly, with a flattering smile on his face.

It's almost like a magic change of mood.

"Mr. Zep must be very hungry after such a long flight. If you don't mind, how about putting down your food and eating something?"

Kitano pulled over a chair and motioned for Zep to sit down.

"Is it really possible?"

Scratching the back of his head, Zep asked shyly.

"It's okay, please enjoy it."

Kitano nodded and gave Huangshan a look.

The two walked out of the meeting room together.

"What do you think, Master Huangshan?"

Kitano asked after closing the door of the conference room.