Only briefly

You open the pdf of the forms and start to read, but it is in such boring legal speak you instantly want to zone out. You skim through paragraph after paragraph, catching words like pony, handler, stables, race, and auction. You really don’t pay attention as you skim, signing and dating the bottom of each page before sending it back in a reply email along with the confirmation you can be free all weekend for training.

They follow up with their own reply email in under 15 minutes. This one is simply filled with instructions. Show up in clothing you don’t mind getting dirty or destroyed on Friday at noon with plans to stay atleast through Monday morning. Toiletries and additional clothing will be provided as needed. Shave all body hair beforehand, other than head hair and eyebrows. Come hydrated and ready to do physical activities.

Happy you got a decent paying gig quickly, you send a text to your parents so you can avoid talking to them saying you have a job lined up, and you’ll be gone all weekend. They don’t inquire more, which doesn’t surprise you, and you spend the rest of the night on your computer in your room.

Friday comes, and you dress in an old pair of jeans, an old hoody, and your beat up running shoes. You leave without saying a word to your parents and start walking the few miles to the racetrack. It takes about an hour, but you get there five minutes before your appointment.