Paddy bash 2023: Stealing more than Attention by PocketCaster on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

My entry for the Paddy bash!

Link to show: Paddy Bash Dressage 2023 | OPEN
Horse Ref: Ancient Oracle - 4 years
Rider Name: - Theo Fischer 24 years
Class Entering: Halter
Stable & Country: Golden Moon Estates Northern Ireland
Extras: N/A

Story: 700 words

Honestly, Theo didnt think he would ever be back home, But as the New York scenery sipped by him in his Uber, a feeling of discontent settled over him. Back home. Hah, was this even home anymore? He hated the United States. Hated most of the people here, the politics, just about everything. He'd turned his phone off the moment he got in the car, Kept it off the entire drive, following the transport van that carried the two most important things in his life. Morrigan and Aodhan.

Things had been rough for a few months. He'd moved back into that motel after he'd called things off with Damien. Really he shouldn't have been surprised and it was his own fault for falling hard. Maybe that was why he had been so eager to travel alone. He barely brought up the show with his barn owners, fronting the cost of travel himself from them money he'd saved up and with little fanfare he loaded Mare and baby and off the went. Back across the Ocean.

The car from the airport gave Theo time to think. Should he break his lease and just move back? He could easily continue his life style in the states, though with housing the way it was, he'd need to lean back into his father's good graces and... That really Wasn't a conversation he was ready or willing to have at the moment.

His thoughts continued this way, watching the familiar scenery of the countryside as the gates to the showground quickly came into view. He distracted himself getting the horses settled and then finally settling himself, unpacking and going over his costume. It was similar to last year, but he'd hope it would pass for the Classy Leprechaun and not Saint Paddy's day Stripper his outfits usually give off. He needed to put more effort into his own looks.

He snapped a few pictures of himself, then went to work on prepping the horses for their class in the morning bathing them and setting all of the decorative items out in a way to grab easily in the morning then headed to bed.

The next morning rolled around and Aodhan was as rambunctious as ever, maybe even more so. The young colt was taking after his father in height and was starting to become a bit unmanageable when he was feeling playful.

Still he managed to get glitter and stamp on the fiery redhead and finish plaiting Morrigan's hair, glitter and hoof paint. By 8:30 Theo was feeling quite proud of himself.

Donning his wobbly shamrock headband he began to lean the two out. Aodhan prancing and frolicking around them as he walked down to the indoor arena. Hed thought for sure he was in the clear of the little devil when he felt a weight against his back and the liberation of his headband. He head the plop of small feat and realized the weight had been the little rascal rearing up on him.

Turning his head theo caught sight of the bugger tearing off with the band, head bobbing as he plated with the springy pom-pom'd decoration, tossed it... and all hope was lost for it as the cold stepped on it before grabbing it once again.

"OH--! Crap." He grumbled.

Now what was he supposed to do? if judging was like last time hed be knocked off for sure. He pressed Morrigan into a trot trying to see if he could catch the foal, Aodhan thought it a game and took off leaving theo to stand there in dismay over the loss of the five dollars the item cost.

"Here." A voice from behind caught his attention as a man and horse approached, holding a sparkly green top hat band in hand. The man having stopped the three of them before they entered the arena

"Oh. I... Thanks"

The man smiled as Theo put the band on his head and carried on.

Theo quickly made his way into the class, keeping an eye out of the man and horse to return the hat later.

He just hoped Aodhan was occupied by the broken band long enough to get through this show.

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No red used