Agility

Whew. Tried to do a funky perspective, not so sure that it worked.

Horse: Tupan [link]
Rider: Astrid Lierre
Dog: Indigo [link]
Reference: [link]

[previously, in training [link] ]

Astrid was nervous. The idea of riding a current race horse along an open, uncontrolled trail was very different to her usual showing experience. Jimmy (Tupan's jockey and trainer) had decided that this would be the perfect training moment for Astrid and the gray stallion, a relaxed, casual show, with no pressure regarding anyone's competitive career. Just a chance for them to ride somewhere away from home.

Well, it was a little more than that, the class was designed to show off the horse and dog's skills through a hunt-themed obstacle course, and it would definitely be enough of a challenge that Astrid would need to trust Tupan. Something that she felt like she was lacking at the moment.

She took a couple deep breaths, stretched, then jumped up and down trying to shake all the anxiety out through her fingertips. Feeling a little better, she calmly walked back to the stall and readied Tupan. Indigo was waiting at the stall door, tongue hanging out of his smiling mouth, tail wagging in anticipation.

The dog's expression reminded her of her usual show horse, Flash, "I wish I was riding him instead" flitted through her mind. She shook her head, "No," Astrid reminded herself, "Flash doesn't do water, and there will at the very least be a mud puddle somewhere on the course. Tupan is the horse for this challenge, he's tough as nails."

As soon as she was in the saddle, Astrid began to calm down even more, she was in her comfort zone. She passed other contestants, everyone was comfortable, relaxed and happy. It felt more like a fun day than a competition. "Yes, that is what this will be, a fun day." She smiled. They were ready to go.

[to continue, read here [link] ]