Playing Blind by AMillionLights on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

Event: Celaeno Stud and Stables Aussie Summer Bash

Horse: OREC Arctic Fever
Horse Age: 4
Horse Breed: Rouveri
Rider/Handler: Katrina Ventra
Rider/Handler Age: 27
Stable/Country: Oak Ridge EC, Australia
Class: Jumping
Place: 1st

Story:
Katrina wasn't one for young horses. She didn't have the patience, or the personality for them. She was most at home on experienced horses. She wanted the fancy dressage moves, the jumps as tall as she was, the cross country at full speed. Not playful, easily distracted toddlers just as likely to throw her off at a fence as they were to trip over their own feet they didn't know how to use. In fact, retiring Devil's Fire has been a blow. He was the perfect horse. Then of Course Celia had stolen him.

She'd been thrown on Echo point for a bit, who, while not young, had been as inexperienced as a newborn foal.

Yet, Arti....well, she wasn't sure how to feel yet. She still didn't like going through the basics. Still didn't like the simple, boring classes, the repetition that a young horse required. They'd been working together for nearly two years now, and this was her first real competition with him. She certainly didn't like that. She lived for the arena, for the ribbons and the hundreds of eyes on her. She wanted to be the best of the best. Not the best at controlling a clumsy baby.

This youngster had shown such a great personality though. If he was 5 years older, with 5 years more experience under his girth she would have jumped over the moon for him. He was smart, focused and happy to learn. He always whinnied when she came over. She wasn't one for affectionate horses- they were working together after all, not herd mates- but she found it cute regardless and stared at her with his big, intelligent eyes which seemed to ask 'What's next, mum?'. Or how he'd flick his ear back, and tilt his head when she listened to her. Or cheekily nibbling her hair while she brushes him.

But that didn't mean she liked him.

But she had to admit he had potential. And that she liked.

So she got him ready like she would any other horse on competition day while he stared wide eyed at all the other horses, the passing trucks and endless people. He whinnied at them as she led him to the warm up arena, and tried to greet every horse they crossed. The warm up arena didn't calm him down though. While the facilities had plenty of space for the youngsters to warm up-as many of them hadn't been in this type of environment before-there were still so many horses; so many distractions.

She'd chosen Jumping as Atri's first show for a reason. He was agile, and good at figuring out his feet, but jumping was also quick. She could get him to focus for a few minutes, but a dressage test was a stretch, even for him. He was fantastic at home, where he knew everyone and everything. But the few times she'd taken him out he was too eager to see and explore. It had made cross country hard.

Katrina sighed, releasing her tension and annoyance. That didn't help win ribbons. She pulled back her shoulders, taking a deep breath and prompted Atri to lengthen his stride. He did, but not without a little head toss.

She pulled around the side of the arena, waiting patiently for another horse to go over the test jumps before she lined herself up. Arti tossed his head again to let her know he wasn't happy, but followed her lead. She leaned back ever so slightly, trying to shorten his strides and he listened. He bounced up, higher than necessary for such a small jump, but cleared it. Good. Everything was going well so far.

She spent the next few minutes stretching his muscles, testing the brakes and holding him to her. He listened well, despite everything going on around them.

When it finally came time to enter the main arena she was as confident as she would ever get. She walked him the short distance to the competition area, stroking his shoulder as they went. Small crows had gathered around the fences, picnic blankets thrown on the grass, cold drinks clutched in hands and sunnies shielding eyes from the bright sun. Music played from some overhead speakers and a commentator announced the last contestant's scores to a smattering of applause.

Katrina waited patiently by the gate as a black horse was led from the arena, the rider patting its neck vigorously. Arti of course reached out his nose to say hello, but the other horse gave him a wide berth, eyeing him suspiciously.

Well, that was rude. He only wanted to say hello.

Katrina turned Arti towards the arena, nudging him through the gates as the commentator read their names over the speakers. They plodded through the arena and she led him past the jumps, so that nothing would surprise him when the time came to jump them. He was more interested in the crowd of course, and whinnied when he spotted a horse passing a few meters behind the crowd. Damn horse. He would be the death of her.

If he didn't want to look at the jumps, then fine. They'd play this blind and hope for the best.

It was finally time. She took a deep breath and turned him towards the first jump.

Words: 884

refs: None