It had been a long and busy morning, not to mention a rather nervous one. All day yesterday, when the other riders had been given the opportunity to inspect the cross country course at their leisure, Thesan had been jumping at the slightest sound - even the thrill of a bluebird would send her shying away. Her hooves had been pawing the ground. Her ears had been flickering constantly. Her eyes darting from here to there, trying to take everything in.
Her owner rolled their eyes at the memory. They'd been looking right fools and more than one rider, trainer and general staff and early spectators had shaken their heads at the young arab mare's antics. Such a foolish thing, taking such a young and green horse to such a hard event. The horse was clearly not ready and any stable owner should have known better than to field it.

Mae sighed and rubbed Thesan between her ears. "Foolish little thing you are, aren't you " she chided affectionatly. The mare merely flicked an ear in her direction, wondering if it was something important, then went back to watching the other horses warming up.
Two riders later, and it was their turn. She gathered up the reins, turning the now calm mare in the right direction.
"Well now...here goes nothing I guess" she mumbled. "Let's show them that yesterday wasn't all there is to know shall we" .
The starter sounded. A quiver went through horse and rider as they moved from a standstill to an even groundeating canter towards the first jump....




Thesan competing in Dark Lake Stable's May/June show 2009

Darklight Stables: [link]
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References:
horse and rider:
sky: own photo
rest is unreferenced
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Challenge 20, Fortitude