“Damn, if we don’t get to our destination soon I’ll go stir crazy,” screamed Bridget.

“Knock it off, that is all you do lately is bitch and whine,” replied Alice as she exhaled and sped up the treadmill.

“Sorry it is just that we have been on this ship for the past 3 months, I’m ready to get my legs on real ground, this artificial gravity just doesn’t do anything for me. Always training on these treadmills, knowing that we will be running through woods, jumping over creeks, having real grass, dirt, and who knows what else Paguses has to offer. I know that we will be carrying 70 pounds on our back while doing so, that is why we train with these knapsacks of various weight to help us get used to the final weight. But darn it, I’m ready for the real thing.”

“No! You’re just counting your money.” Alice said as she stopped her training. “Here help me get this sack off, I’m exhausted, been running for 40 minutes - non-stop. I also want to win a million bucks, but so does every girl on this ship. Look Bridget, there are 80 of us young ladies onboard. Yet we all can’t win, I say that the two of us train harder then the rest and make off with our winnings. We can do it, just leave those others in the dust, literally. This is a chance of a life time, win big in the Olympics and be set for life.”

As the two girls were talking, a member of the crew went by, “Hey! Mister how much longer before we arrive at the planet?” yelled the girls innocently to him.

“Gee! Let me guess, you have a dinner date.” He wisecracked back.

“Smart-ass!”

“Okay, for the fifteenth million time, TOMORROW, why you girls can’t communicate with each other is beyond me,” he yelled back.

“Crap Alice, only one more day before we get there, my stomach is getting knotted up right now.”

“Bridget, I believe I’m as ready as I am going to get for this racing event. I have watched the other girls train, and can say without a doubt that there are only about three that I am worried about. That Russian with the big legs and the upper torso of a bull, she might not be as fast as you or I, but all that strength, will make carrying 70 pounds easier for her, and she does have one of those steady paces that can hurt us. The Korean girl is fantastic, I’m sure I can take her over the long haul though. The one that worries me is that British chick, you know the one that keeps saying ‘only 5 stones, I carry more then that in water up the hill’. She is a snotty bitch that is for sure. Lets call it a day and hope we can last till tomorrow without our hearts bursting with excitement.”

“I just hope I can sleep Alice, you know I’ll be awake staring at the holes in the ceiling all night just waiting to fall asleep.”

At breakfast the next morning an announcement came over the intercom…

ALL CONTESTANTS THERE WILL BE A MEETING AT 0900 IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SHIP

Bridget and Alice went into the conference room right after they ate. As they entered, they took their seats and were handed an envelope and told not to open it until told to do so.

“Wonder what is inside of this thing,” asked Alice as she tried to hold it up to the light to get a peek inside.

“Oh! Leave it be, we’ll know soon enough.” Bridget said as she picked the back of her shorts out of her butt crack as she sat down.

As the group was entering the murmuring sound of voices could be heard echoing off the walls, nothing clear, but a word every now and then from a different speaker could be made out. As the room filled, the noises became louder. Soon everyone was looking around and seeing if there was anything new to gaze upon; nothing the same thing as always, chairs eight in a row ten deep, with a podium on stage in the front for someone to announce what it is they are here for.

“Ladies…ladies, please hold your voices down, I have a few announcements to make,” the second in command of the ship said. “There, that is better, now we can all hear. I know that this has been a long trip for all of you, and we have tried to make it as pleasant as we could. Now it is time for your departure towards the planet Paguses. The Captain and the crew would like to thank you all, we know that you will be representing Earth in this Olympic contest, and are very proud of that fact.”

The Second looked over to his left and saw a curtain pulled back. “Good, now we will have to get you ladies prepared to depart for the planet. First, the envelope that you hold in your hand will tell us in which order you will leave this ship. The transport is only large enough to hold ten passengers at a time. So as you can see, there are eight doors marked with numbers upon the top of the doors. What I need from you ladies is just a little more patience. What I like to do is take this front row and work backwards until all of you are called upon. Therefore, if the front row will approach the doors to the left of the podium and line up in a straight line, we can begin. Please hand the assistant your envelope, that will let them know on which transporter you will be assigned to. The races are in two weeks time. The winners will be picked up in fifteen days from now. Good luck and have fun ladies I’ll be seeing you soon.”

Bridget and Alice being in the third row sat still watching the first line that approach the transporter doors. The first girl handed her piece of paper to the assistant; he opened the envelope, then pointed to door three. The contestant went to the door; it was opened for her and closed behind her right after she entered the doorway. This went on, one girl at a time. Alice also noticed that the line stood still when two of the girls had the same transporter number. As if there was something to wait for, she paid it little attention since she had never witnessed anything like this before and just thought it abnormal.

After the first group was gone the second set of girls were called up front, the same thing happened as before, and Alice knew that she and Bridget would be next. She was hoping that they would be on the same transporter when the time came to depart. They have grown close in their friendship since coming aboard this galaxy cruise ship. Both have trained hard on Earth for the chance to make a million Earth dollars in the Universal games. Going to the trials and competing with the best girls in the world, was not an easy task. Having to rise early and run, run and run some more each day no matter what the weather will prove to be worth the time devoted once the money is in hand. The brochure said that there would be a million dollars awarded to eight girls with the overall winner getting ten million. It also stated that the winners get the cash along with free tickets for the return trip to earth.

After the second wave of girls were gone, their row was called to approach the front of the doors. Alice was fifth in line with Bridget sixth. The first girl was taken to transporter room number two. As the line dwindled down to Alice, her nerves started to give her the jitters. All this training is about ready to be tested on a strange planet. “Let us open up that envelope lady and see which group you will be with,” said a voice before Alice could react. Alice watched the envelope being torn open the number five was written on it. “Please step to the door marked with this number,” the voice said as he held up the piece of paper for Alice to see. In the mean time, Alice wanted to wait around to see where Bridget was going to go. “Lady please move towards door number five and be ready to enter when called to do so. We have got to get this line moving, there are more of you to get ready.”

As Alice approached her door, she glanced around to see if she could get a peek at Bridget’s number, some sort of clue, anything short of a hint will do to help her. She wouldn’t get the chance to see, cause as soon as she arrived; she was taken by the elbow and lead to her door. “Now don’t worry, your friend will be alright, you’ll get to see her again even if she doesn’t get to ride in the same transporter as you. Please enter the door and do as instructed by the attendant inside. The faster you go the sooner you will be able to leave the ship for the planet,” said a squeaky voice that Alice heard but paid no attention to the person saying them.

Bridget watched Alice disappear through the fifth door. She was hoping that she too had the same number. Neither her nor Alice kept an account on which door the previous girls went through. If they did then they would have realized the chances of Bridget getting number five were nil. Alice was number ten for that transporter. “Okay, lets see which one of those groups you get to travel with…number eight for you young lady, please go forward and follow all instruction so we can continue without any delays.”

Alice went through the door and watched it close behind her; she never got to see what number Bridget had. “All right then young lady, please hold both your arms out so I can place these ID bracelets on your wrists,” the voice startled Alice for a moment. “Let us see you are contestant 5J, “the attendant said as he locked two bracelets around her wrists. Alice didn’t pay any attention to the details of the bracelets, they seemed to snap shut with no means of visible removal. “Now if you will please lean forward and bring your head down some while placing your hands behind your back so I can also place this necklace around your neck,” was the next set of orders. Alice heard it click as it closed. She thought it was a strange necklace, with a loop in the front and about ¾ of an inch thick.

“Okay, now that you have been tagged for the games, welcome aboard 5j,” said the voice. This time Alice took notice to the word tagged, didn’t he mean numbered? “I will be your trainer for the next two weeks as you and the other girls in block 5 prepare for the race. It is my duty to make sure that you and the rest of these girls are in tiptop shape. There will be a lot to learn, so please pay attention cause I am not used to repeating myself…Understood?”

Alice looked baffled at him, then realized that this may not be a rhetorical question. “Yes, I understand and look forward to working with you, Sir.”

“We will see about that as the days roll on towards the big race,” he said. “Now step forward and go into that compartment and follow the instruction that come over the speaker.”

Alice went into the compartment only to fine that it was very small, standing room only, must be cause of the space available for the transporting for this many girls at once. It was nothing like the one she took from Earth to the space cruiser which had a nice comfortable seat to sit in, like an automobile seat. This looked more like a locker room locker, tiny and made out of metal. It resembled the appearance of a cage with solid metal flooring and ceiling with vertical bars all-round. As she finished entering her compartment, the door was shut behind her, compressing her body so it could no longer move. She was squished between the bars in front and the bars on the door behind her. Her arms could not venture sideways because they hit metal bars that were pushed closed and locked in place on both sides of her. By all purposes, she was confined, surrounded by metal as if she was place into a sardine can.

Wondering what was going on her thought ran towards Bridget, it wouldn’t matter if she were in the same group. They wouldn’t be able to comfort each other confined as she was. She knew that this is the same predicament that all the girls are in. Alice also noticed that she could not see any of the other girls that have entered before her, not knowing if she should yell to see if anyone answered, or just get prepared for the departure towards planet Paguses. She decided that it was time to prepare herself for the departure and get ready to win her fortune.

Bridget in the mean time was going through the same ordeal. She will be known as contestant 8f. She also was preparing her mind for the races and spending her fortune in ways, only she could imagine.

Both girls could feel the movement of the transporter as it headed towards Paguses. Neither could have dreamt what they got themselves into.

Upon landing, Alice was stunned to find daylight and greenery around her. She sees it but her body is touching metal, which makes it a contradiction in her mind. Her compartment automatically changed before her eyes. The walls that had her pinned against each other open up, as well as the sidebars extending. All of a sudden, she has freedom to move about. No matter how little it might seem to an observer, compared to her previous confinement it is a wonderful thing. She might only have four and a half feet from side to side and five feet from rear to front, but it feels like a house at this moment. There was a curtain behind her and one on each side; she couldn’t see anything but the greenery in front of her. She thought she heard a voice, but wasn’t sure since her ears haven’t quite cleared from the deceleration from transporting to the planet. She knew that they would pop at any moment now, if only she had a piece of chewing gum.

Alice saw the man in front of her, holding his hands up beside him to indicate that he needs to have her attention, but it seems as though he is about to talk to a group of people.

“Ladies, please claim down. You are now on Paguses,” he said. With this he walked around, out of sight, past the barriers that surrounded Alice’s transporter. All of a sudden, the barriers gave way. Alice saw five girls in a row, locked into what she now saw as cages in front of her, and to her left saw the other four.

There was a sudden outcry of voices, with which the man now in the center of the walkway between the holding cells yelled. “One more word and you all will be gagged, now shut up and listen.” Gagged thought Alice, I wonder if he means it, but since we are like caged animals and he is in control, I had better not utter another sound.

“Good…I like it peaceful, I don’t like loud noises or my runners talking out of turn. First let me introduce myself, I will be you worst nightmare for the next two weeks of training. It is my job to get you girls…or should I say ponies…now not a word I don’t want to remind you again, cause I will not be lenient. You will be referred to as ponies from now on. As you know, your job here is to run with a jockey weighting around 70 pounds on your back for 4 ½ miles though the forest and the rough terrain of this part of the planet.

“I will be your trainer, you will listen and obey every command I give you. One of you will be a winner on Olympic day, and then have a chance of the ten million-dollar purse. I want a cut of that purse. By you winning it, you make me a winner also, I love to win. That is my job to make you a winner. As you know the ten of you will race in one block. All of you have been tagged with the number 5 plus a letter. The winner of your heat will compete against the other 7 camps for the overall championship.

“That my ponies is my job, along with my two assistance to make one of you an overall winner. I will play no favorite among you. Now that this shock has overcome you, please notice that you are in your new quarters until the race. First thing first, all you ponies remove every stitch of clothing including your shoes and toss them out of your housing unit, which from now on will be referred to as your stall.”

Alice saw bewilderment among her fellow runners but knew that she and the rest had no choice but to follow the orders given by their new trainer. She still had not comprehended that from now on she will be referred to as a pony. She knew that this was some sort of joke. Removing all their cloths, and just tossing them out the bars, this has to be bull crap. She was thinking of rebelling when she noticed the two assistants the trainer was talking about appear out of nowhere with what looked like miniature bullwhips in their hands. She heard one of the girls scream, as she heard a cracking sound. Knowing what accorded without witnessing it made her not want to find out how those whips felt. She stripped down to her favorite pair of underwear, and seen one of those whip-holding men come towards her. Without any further hesitation, she throws out everything she had on, except the bracelets and necklace that she could not remove. For the first time, she notices that her bracelets are engraved with 5j on them. She looks over to the next stall and sees a girl she recognizes wearing nothing but her bracelets and necklace, she looks very close and sees 5i engraved on it. Now she comes to realize that this will most likely be what she will be called. There will be no more Alice, just pony 5j. She just hopes she will not forget who she is by the end of these two weeks.

“Good show my ponies, I heard one of you met your grooms already. Their names are Alex and Bob, you will know who is whom in short order. We are not here for personal conversation, only to run a race and live with the outcome. It is my job to prepare you; I will enjoy doing so. You on the other hand, you ponies will not be pleasantly happy with me, I will drive you to exhausting limits. It is my job to give each of you a chance to win. Thus making your life just plain miserable. I have two weeks to do this, before I take you to the starting block of your race. I do not want an unprepared group of ponies in my race. I want the best show out there. I don’t care what the other seven groups are doing. I want what I want and you will be prepared to give me every ounce of your blood if I have to drain it out of you personally.

“Now as we open your stall you will come out with your hands behind your back, take five steps and stop. You will wait there until escorted towards the walkers. You didn’t think this was a day off did you.”

The grooms opened the first stall, out walked the Korean, she walked her five paces and stopped. With her hands behind her back, one of the grooms locked her bracelets together. They then fastened a piece of leather together just above her elbows. The next thing that happened caught all the ponies off guard. A rubber bit was placed over her head. “5a open your mouth,” was heard being said by one of the grooms. All of a sudden she was grabbed by her arms to hold her still as a groom held her nose, when she started to inhale through her mouth the bit was rammed tight into her. The next thing 5a knew she was placed under a round wheel like object with leads that looked like reins attached to the top. This went on for the next four ponies across from Alice. All five girls were placed on the same contraption. They looked so helpless, with their arms immobile behind their back. Their mouths having some sort of bit forced into them, which had large rings on the sides of it, where the reins where attached before being placed over their heads. Then all of a sudden a motor started to hum and the top of the wheel started to turn, pulling on the reins forcing the girls to follow. Now they are walking in a circle, Alice was amazed how pretty these girls looked. The more she watched, they more they looked like ponies, helpless as they seemed, she just couldn’t take her eyes of them. Before she even realized what was happening her stable door opened. She placed her hands behind her, took her five steps and waited her turn. Just as she witnessed, her bracelets were locked together while a leather strap pulling her chest out tightened her elbows. She liked that idea of having her tits expand, yet she felt the pain in her shoulders. She gave no resistance to the mouth bit. Still dazed with today’s happenings, Alice just let her mind go blank.

There was no way of telling time. Paguses was one of those planets that had a long rotation. Making it have days that lasted 144 hours, and nights that lasted half that time.

What seemed like a lifetime on the automatic walker, was just 20 minutes. As the motor quietly stopped it’s humming, one of the grooms had a water bottle with a small tube attached, he started with the first pony and worked his way around to 5j. The water was a blessing, it helped the dryness in her mouth, along with watering down the bit, helping to get it clean, seems that these things collect all the dust in the world on them. 5j could again feel the pain in her shoulders, along with her mouth edges starting to hurt. Just as she was about to take another deep breath the motor started up once more, but this time the walk was at a faster pace, and in the opposite direction. 5j didn’t have a chance to think about what a mistake this may have been.

After three twenty-minute intervals of walking, the motors came to a halt once more. The grooms were releasing 5f from the wheel. They removed the leather strap from her elbows and walked her towards her stall. There they opened the door, removed the bit and shoved her inside and shut the door, one could hear it lock as it closed. This was done on down the line, when it came to 5j; she could hear one them say. “Okay 5j, time to return to your stall for the rest of the day, you did a nice job, time for a little rest before feeding time.”

Rest was not very easy, not being able to stretch out completely, one had to lean against the bars while sitting down in order feel some sort of comfort. Sleep did come eventually only cause the ponies were so tired. Not all the training they did had prepared them for this. No one trains with their hands behind their backs. How are you supposed to run like that? As they all drifted off to sleep, none of them had any idea what would happen next.

5j woke up when she heard rattling of metal. Half dazed she saw the grooms roll up a tray to the first pony. On it were two bags, one contained water by its looks, the other some sort of brown liquid. This was done to each pony until the final tray was brought to 5j. “Here you go little pony, enjoy, you have 15 minutes to eat and drink before we take it away.” Without another word 5j, as Alice was now referred to, put her mouth on the tube that looked like water. With her hands fastened behind her, she noticed that the other ponies were doing the same crude thing. She shimmied herself up to the stall door and began to suck in the water just for a little taste. Yes, it was refreshing water; she took a deep inhaling swig of it. Now she was also hungry, but the sight of the muddy looking stuff was not very appealing. As with the water, she took a small sample first. It was not all that bad, tasted like chocolate pudding. She drank the water and the brown liquid food; she glanced across towards the group of girls or ponies, as the new trainer likes to call us. All around she saw others like herself, young, athletic, and naked with hands clamped together behind their backs drinking water and eating food through bars on a door.

About an hour after the meal and water, something strange started to happen to all the ponies at once. Stomach cramps and nowhere to relieve themselves, locked inside their stalls with nowhere to go but on the floor. 5c backed up to the end of her stall as far as she could get in order to relieve herself; most of the ponies followed suit. Even with as much force as they could, not all of the waste went out of the stalls.

Ten minutes after the last pony was finished; a rushing sound could be heard overhead. All of a sudden, cold water came rushing out of a sprinkle head above each pony. Not only did this help clean out the stables. It also gave the ponies a good watering down. The floors of the stalls were angled to allow the water to drain out, taking with it all messes that may have been on it.

The water was cold enough that a few of the ponies let out screams. Not knowing if this was allowed, a few of the ponies started to cringe, hoping that this was not against the rules. However, they did not know what the rules were. Only that there had to be some, or they would not be kept locked up and treated like ponies. They came to race in the Universal Olympics, and seem to be caught up in some sort of nightmarish dream.

Without knowing what time it was, because the sun was still shinning and in no way was there anyway to tell time for these ponygirls, they just tried their best at getting some sleep, and hoping that the rest of the group did not hear their whimpers. Each of them was proud and didn’t want to seem weak.

Finally after what seemed like hours, sleep set in for 5j. She dreamt of green fields beneath her feet, running through open fields that led into a small forest. Strange relaxing dreams, this is what was going on in her head. On the other hand, were they dreams at all?

“Good day my ponies, time to get your mangy untrained ass up. I witnessed some sorry pieces of action yesterday on the walker. Sorry for all of you, if I had my way I would sell you all to the glue factory. So today my ponies, we will try very hard to please me, will you not? With only 13 more days till the big race, I don’t think I can make real ponies out of your sorry hides, but damn it, I’m going to try.”

Without another word, 5a’s door came open; she took five steps out of her stall and stopped. Then 5b’s door also opened up; she too took her five and waited in that spot. While the two stood still waiting for whatever might happen, one of the grooms put a knapsack on 5a, then the same was done with 5b. They just stood there with the knapsacks on their backs. Then 5c’s door came open and she took her five steps, since her hands are attached together in the back, it was not necessary to remind any of the ponies about this requirement. Instead of a knapsack like the two ponies before her, she was trussed up in the same manner as the last time out of her stall. This went on for the remaining ponies. The whole while 5a and 5b stood in place waiting for orders. As the motor started to turn the wheel as it did the last time, the groom went and attended to the first two ponies let out of their stalls.

The wheel was going at the pace it was the last time 5j was attached to it. She tried to catch a glimpse of what was going on away from the wheel. She did see one of the grooms put a bridle, bit on the Korean, and walk behind her. The next time around the wheel where she could get a look, all she saw was the back end of the groom, as 5a was walking in front of him. 5b, was being fitted for the same outfit as far as she could make out. The pace of the wheel was making sweat run into her eyes, making it impossible to make out what was truly happening.

As with the last time the ponies were on the wheel, it seemed to run forever. When it stopped it was a blessing. When the grooms came over with the water while they were resting, 5j figured that the other two have returned. However, being in a state of daze with her muscle hurting, she was not ready to think too hard.

After three more rounds on the wheel, she was released. Thinking that this was going to be her resting period as the last time, she was ready to head for her stall. Luck just does not seem to be with her. As soon as the leather strap was released from above her elbows, a knapsack weighing 25 pounds was placed on her. Her walking bit was removed, giving her jaws the relief they ached for. This was short lived, for then a bridle bit gag was place on her head. This one fastened at several points over her head, driving the bit deep into the crevasses of her mouth. She felt the leather leads as they snapped closed onto the side of the bit. She did not know what was coming next; all she wanted to do was rest. She was tired; this is beyond any sort of training she had ever done.

“Just a little walk today 5j. Just to get you used to carrying a little weight while learning to obey these reins. If you fail to get it right, you will be whipped with this ridding crop.”

5j just shook her head in understanding; she was so tired she was not sure what was going on.

The weight of the knapsack was not all that bad, but with her hands shackled behind her back, it made shifting it to a comfortable location impossible. All of a sudden, her ass felt this sting, “forward 5j, when I pull the reins to the left you go in that direction and the same holds true for the other direction. I’ll pull them back if I need to stop.” Again, she felt the sting of the crop on her ass. “That means move your fat ass faster.”

5j followed the worn path but was sure not to make any wrong movement, only hoped that the groom was not going to let her run into a tree. All went well, considering it was her first time being lead from behind with a crop and leads attached to a bit. She was wondering what kind of race this was going to be, where all the runners were treated as ponygirls. She came away with only a minor whipping from the crop. She will feel the sting of it plenty of time before the main race.

As the days passed on, the weight in the knapsack became heavier; the walks around the wheel became longer. When night arrived, the training did not stop. The walks in the forest became longer trots, finally with only two days before the race the ponygirls had settled into their routines, knowing what was expected from them and giving every once to their trainer and grooms. Each one was going to win their lion's share of prizes.

“Ponies listen up, two more days before we go to the Olympic Village. But before we go there, you still have two more days of training. Today we will start something different. Today we race against each other with riders on your backs. According to the rules of the games, no training camp can train with riders on a pony’s back. 48 hours before arrival at the village ponies can be ridden twice with no more then the distance of the first race.”

With that said ponies 5b and 5e were lined up and put into riding gear, which now not only consists of a bridle bit gag, but a tail that is stuck up the ass and pumped to inflate so it can not slip out. 5j hates the damn thing, it is greasy as can be when inserted, plus when it is pumped it fills the ass and is not very pleasant to wear. She likes looking at the other ponies being stuffed with them, but she would rather not have one in place.

Out of the forest walked two huge monsters that looked about 6 feet tall and must have weighed about 300 pounds. “Calm down my ponies, these are the jockeys that are here for training. They are the same type of jockey you will be carrying in the main race. Yes, they look heavy, but with this planets gravity pull on their bodies they weigh in at 70 pounds. They have had plenty of practice riding ponies,” said one of the grooms.

The pony mind must be taking over; cause all 5j saw was two riders. She trusted her handlers. Her whole soul has now been committed to being prepared for the big race as a ponygirl. All the ponies knew that the riders were going to be aliens. Cause this was the Universal Olympics, not the ones on Earth.

The two riders got on the backs of 5b and 5e; the ponies didn’t flinch one bit. One of the riders squeezed the right tit on 5b’s, with that; he had a big grin on his face. Two ponies took off when the starting gun sounded. The rest of the ponies had to watch from their stalls. 5b and 5e disappeared into the woods for their first run with riders on their backs.

When it came for 5j to be prepared to run for the first time, her opponent was 5a. She knew that she was the better pony of the two. As the bridle bit was placed into her mouth, she wanted to yell at 5a, to be prepared to eat her dust. That thought was wiped from her mind when the tail plug was inserted; she stood on her tipsy toes as always before settling down. She felt the rider mount her from the rear, as he grabbed the reins and placed one hand on her tit. The touch felt warm and strangely smoothing. Unlike carrying a knapsack, the rider was able to find the balance he needed, which made 5j feel like a real pony for the first time. Her heart was in this race, if not to show the grooms and the trainer, but to be able to say she beat 5a. As the sound of the gun went off, she then realized she knew nothing about horse racing, yet everything she needed to know was riding on her back. She felt the crop hit her left flank. Make her speed up, then all of a sudden the other rider came along side and started pushing her rider with his hands. She was instructed to turn to the left with the reins. As she maneuvered, where the reins told her to go, she realized that she was just running at the speed the rider wants her too, going in the direction commanded by the reins held by her rider. Her only function was to watch her footing and the rider was in command of everything else, no matter what. 5j and 5a could be seen coming into the stable area, they were neck to neck as the two riders tried to push on another off their pony. 5j just hoped she would not fall from the shoving that went on. Not that she was beyond letting 5a take a tumble. As the stalls were getting closer, the two ponies came to a complete halt. The riders dismounted shook each other’s hands and put their arms around each other’s back as they walked out of the training camp. 5j and 5a just stood in place with their reins hanging in front of them, not daring to move for fear of tripping over the reins that dangled down. They came to a halt in that spot and would not move until led by the grooms. 5j could barely move once placed into her stall, as dinner came around she just wanted to eat and sleep for a week.

Morning came; the trainer paired the ponies up again. Just taking letters out of the hat. 5j had to race against 5h this time. She was glad that her race was the second on that day, for that gave her time to rest until the end of the practice. When the first race was over she saw that 5a had won her heap against 5e. As she was being prepared for her run through the forest, she again stood on her tipsy toes as the tail plug was inserted and pumped tight into her ass. This time she was ready for all things to happen. The little trial of a run with 5a, was all she needed to prepare her for a win this outing. As predicted, the rider played with her tits the first half of the run, just keeping her at a trot. He let her loose on the second part of the run, showing no mercy with the crop, and making her dodge trees. He took her towards them only to pull on the reins the last minute. Not only was he racing her but in a strange way testing her ability to be a ponygirl. As she came into camp, she was a good 100 or so yards ahead of poor 5e. She did not want to be gleeful in front of the grooms; she was waiting for later.

As the harness gear was taken off and she was unplugged 5j was feeling tired and wonderful. She knew her chance of winning tomorrow was great. One of the grooms led her to the stall and locked her inside as she fell into a daydream of winning.

Later that day after all the ponies had run their practice races, the announcement came that they would be leaving for the village to stay the evening and be prepared for tomorrow's Olympic races.

The ponies were put onto a wagon; again, their stalls squeezed leaving them in the same manor they arrived, standing up with their bodies tight against the steel bars. Upon their arrival to the village, their cages were again converted into their stalls. However, this time instead of just being able to eye their fellow stable mates, they could see the other stalls from the other camps set up all around the village. They dare not speak, cause this would only bring gags for everyone. They are so unpleasant to sleep in. Not only are you gagged but also cuffs are put on your feet and shackled to the end of your stall leaving the little mobility you have, even less.

It was time for sleeping, at least getting rest while you can, the big races everyone came to enter has finally arrived.

5j woke up when she heard a band playing, children shouting, and voices of all sorts. She then noticed that people were looking at her and the other ponies. Writing things down, the stalls were roped off, to keep people and aliens from getting to close. She was startled until realizing that she and the rest were being sized up for the race. They are going to place bets on the outcome of the events. We are being treated just as real ponygirls should be I guess she thought. Hell we are here to race and win money, why shouldn’t the rest of the universe be able to cash in also.

A bell was sounded and the spectators were led away. As this was going on the grooms brought water and food for the ponies. 5j made sure that she ate just enough to fill her, she didn’t want to over fill herself and have stomach cramps, she drank all her water, and then before you could say anything to her, she had to pee. She was so used to peeing in her stall by now she thought nothing of it. She still didn’t like to crap in it, although the food they give them turns it into pellets like real horse crap. After the first couple of days of eating (sucking it down) the brown food, the waste turned from human form, to that of a pony.

She and the other ponies in her group could hear the noise of the crowd as the loudspeaker announced that the Earth runners are about to be brought onto the track. They could make out that the first group will be number one. They could be spotted coming onto the starting gate. She could make out that the first runner was 1a and came from a country on Earth called Kenya. 5j remembers that black girl very well, she would have been a challenge for her also.

Just as 5j was straining her ears to hear the rest of the introductions, her groom rattled his crop against her stall door. “Come on girl it is time to get you prepared for the big race, pay attention.” With those words, her stall door opened, she took her five steps forward. This was odd, starting with me instead of 5a she thought to herself. “Okay 5j, lets get ready, here open up,” he said as he placed the bit into her mouth. It was fastened firmly onto her head. Then he snapped the reins into place and let the lead dangle down her back. Next, she was shocked as a steel chain was attached to her neck. “Nothing like having a collar that has a lead is there my little pony, now spread your legs so I can put this tail into your sweet little ass,” said the groom. As always, she raised up on her toes. She swore she heard a chuckle out of the groom. The next thing he did was take the chain and pull her forward and lock it onto a hitching rail. She took no notice of it the whole time, thinking it was there to keep the people out of the ponies’ area.

The preparation of each pony in her group was done in reverse order. This gave 5j a little satisfaction now knowing what 5a had to go through the last two weeks. Being first rather sucks. Cause you are prepared and waiting for the rest to get ready. As the last pony was hitched, the trainer appeared. “You are just looking wonderful my ponies. I want one of you to make me so proud, not only winning your heat, but also winning the overall contest. I’m counting on you.”

It seemed to 5j that the wait was very long. If she had to wait any longer, her stomach was going to explode. She was sure that she wasn’t the only pony that had her butt plugged that might have to relive herself. Peeing was easy, just spread you legs, and let it run out. Nevertheless, with a tail plugged up your ass, it will not budge to let out the crap. Maybe it was planned this way, not one of the ponygirls know what to expect from this race. The winner gets a million Earth dollars with a chance to win ten million more on the final race of the day, they call it the WINNERS RACE.

Just as 5j was ready to hop from one leg to another cause of the cramps in her stomach, her chain was pulled away from the hitching rail. She saw one of those aliens that are used as jockeys pull her away from the hitching rail. He took her reins as he placed the steel chain over her shoulder. Motioning her forward, she could see the other ponies being picked up by their riders also. She was taken to the end of the track; she heard her number being mentioned over the loudspeaker. The jockey motioned her forward with a slight slap of a crop. She took about ten steps before she was commanded to stop. Out from over the rail came one of her grooms. He reached down, deflated her tail plug, and pulled it out. The jockey took her for a walk towards what look like a starting gate. With in three steps she stopped and dumped. The jockey let her finish before continuing towards the gate. As 5j was relieving herself and having her stomach settle she noticed that the next pony also had her tail removed. Now she knew that this is part of the show. The riders and the betting audience want to see a pony crap out her stomach so that they feel they are getting a fit and healthy pony to ride or bet on. The jockey moved her forward, then halted, he then kicked the fresh pony shit, it split open and showed no signs of worms, or blood.

As 5j was put into the starting gate she could feel the tail plug again being inserted into her ass. As always, she was standing on her toes. After the tail was pumped up, the back of the gate was closed. She could feel the jockey get on her back, as he tightened the reins and held the steel chain in his hands.

Time seemed to be playing trick on 5j. All she could hear is all kind of noises, and she could not see anything for straight ahead of her and on both sides was a wall. She could not turn around; she was just staring at a metal wall. Waiting for it to open, for then she knew that all this training and putting up with the life of a ponygirl on this planet will come down to just 4 ½ miles.

Daylight came as a bell was ringing in her ear; she felt the sting of the crop as she sprung forward. She could see that there was one pony ahead of her. She couldn’t make out who it was cause all she could see was a tail flapping, and the jockey on her back. These things aren’t what she needed to worry about, just do as the jockey instructs you to do, keep your eyes on your footing.

As they were leaving the arena for the woods, she could hear the cheers from the crowds, who or what they were cheering about she didn’t know, at this moment all she knew was that she was in a race. She could hear feet beating with a rhythm. She could see the forest coming up ahead, and knew that there would be four miles of racing to do through the woods. She felt herself being pushed to her left side, the jockey pulled her reins in that direction and grabbed the chain that is attached to her neck in his other hand to help keep his balance. Then her jockey pulled her back to the right as her grabbed the rider that pushed him the first time. They shoved at each other what seemed like about a hundred yards before a tree appeared directly in front. 5j had only about 20 feet to go before running into it. She was waiting for her rider to direct her to safety. She dare not interfere with his riding; this had been drilled into her from the first week of training as a ponygirl. With only about a foot to go, the jockey pulled her reins to the left avoiding a collision with the tree. As he passed the tree, he seemed to be laughing. Now that they finally entered the forest, the running gets harder, cause now you never know from which direction a rider might come. As with all jockeys, they want to win at any cost and here in the woods anything can happen.

5j was running along without incident for about a mile. Her jockey had her on a steady pace, more of a trot then a run. He knew what he was doing; he also seemed to have a lot of confidence in his ride. All of a sudden out to her right appears another rider, this one puts the steel chain into his mouth so he can lean forwards towards 5j’s jockey and knock him off. Her reins are pulled stiff backwards, 5j comes to a complete stop. She witnesses the other rider leaning to far forward with nothing to grab a hold for balance. Off he goes a tumbling and bringing his pony to the ground with him. Before she has a chance to gloat, she feels the sting of the crop on her ass to keep her moving. He has her up to a trot once more. 5j is sucking in air, even with the rich oxygen on this planet, her lungs are crying out for a rest. She comes to a clearing that leads to another set of woods. She is brought to a walk. This is so her rider can survey the area and see who else may be up ahead or even with him, also to give 5j a chance to catch her breathe and have her body cool down. This lasted for about a hundred yards, before she is given the crop to sprint her forward. As she enters the woods, she notices that this strip of forest is dense, with the trees closer together and the pathways narrower. This makes it hard for 5j to see well, she just follows her rider’s commands and hopes that nothing happens to them. She still feels that she is the one that is going to win this heat. Her rider brings her to a slow Gallup, as he concentrates on the narrow pathways. As they move about a quarter of a mile, the forest starts to open once more. She feels the bite of the crop on her ass. She speeds up until her rider is satisfied with her. She see another rider up ahead, before this could register, the crop once more is laid on her. She pushes her body to go faster, she is gaining on the other pony. As she approaches, her rider pulls her reins to the left side of the other pony; she feels the chain that is attached to the collar around her neck being pulled tight. Her legs are screaming for a rest, she just hopes she doesn’t cramp up now. She feels the weight of her rider shift, as he pulls her reins to the right, the pressure of the collar on her neck is holding most of the weight of her rider. She feels a push that moves her involuntary to the left. She regains herself, and again moves into the position that her jockey had her placed. It is now up to her to hold her spot, even as the tree is approaching her head on. Her reins are pulled to the right, which means she will collide with the other pony. This doesn’t seem good to her. She follows the direction of the jockey, the other pony moves farther to the right; both of them miss the tree. Even so, the two jockey, pushing and slapping at each other. 5j feels her tits are being squeezed by her jockey, who then uses that hand to throw a upper cut into the jaw of the other jockey. This seems to stun the other rider enough. 5j’s jockey once more places the crop on her ass. She is now running a fast as she can. This does not satisfy her rider; he keeps whipping her with the crop. 5j just tries to pick up speed but can not go any faster. She feels sunlight hitting her body. She looks ahead, sees the stadium, and keeps feeling the crop whip her ass. She also notices two ponies ahead of her. This can not be, she has to win this race. She runs as her brain goes numb. She sees the stadium and feels the whipping, but can not face the fact that there are other ponies ahead of her.

As she races toward the stadium, she hears the crowd cheering, she races through the gates, and sees the two ponies ahead of her. The finish line is nowhere in sight; the crop doesn’t quit coming in contact with her ass. She then sees that the finish line is on the other side of the track. One must run around the stands before crossing it. She still might have a chance she gives it her all.

“The winner of race five is 5f”, the announcement is heard echoing around the arena, “5a place is, 5j show is.”

“The ponies in race 6 should be entering the arena in about ten minutes. At the present time it is 6i in the lead,” was the next announcement that came over the loudspeakers.

5j was too exhausted to think of what happened. She ran a good race, but third place was not what she wanted. For the first time since the race was over, she realized that she was back in her stall. Her racing equipment removed, just sitting naked except with her collar with the chain now removed and the cuffs that kept her hands fastened behind her back. She saw the food and water try in front of her. She needs some nourishment in her body now. She ate, drank, and never even paid the bystanders any mind the ones that come to gaze at the Earth runners that are treated as ponygirls. She then closed her eyes and went to sleep.

“Wake up there little ponygirl,” the trainer said. “You had a fun day yesterday, got a very good report from your jockey. Feels like the two of you should have won except a few of the other jockeys kept interfering with his mission. Says you handle beautifully, and wouldn’t mind having you under him in the future.”

As the trainer was talking he walked back and forth in front of her stall. “Well 5f won the heap but only came in second for the overall race. She is going home with only a million, me I get the purse for place in that race, which is enough to pay my crew for their time with the training and a little left over. You know that by coming in third you are committed to Paguses for three years as a pony. With the recommendation of your last jockey, I bought your papers. You, 5a, plus a few others for my pony racing farm. Racing ponies is a big sport here on Paguses. Moreover, depending in what order you finished in your heat, that is the number of years you are committed to Paguses. In your case it is 3 years, now keep in mind, that is Paguses years, which works out to about four Earth years for each.”

With those words still ringing in her ear, 5j just stared up towards the sky.