Hang Time

Horse: Hazyna [link]
Event: Fox Run Farm Winter Extravaganza [link]
Class: 3 Day Event: Show Jumping
Number: 05

(main entry: [link]
dressage here: [link]
cross country here: [link])

It had been a long event and wasn't quite over. Three demanding disciplines over the course of a weekend called for a horse, and rider, with stamina. And yet, as Astrid began the final course she found that her mare still had energy in reserve. The first jump, decorated in the winter and holiday theme like the rest, had twinkling ornaments hanging down from the rails.

Now, most course planners enjoy creating brightly colored and sometimes extravagantly shaped obstacles in order to tempt a horse to refuse. But this one went beyond anything Astrid had seen before, or rather, heard, for the wind was causing the ornaments to sway and clink against one another.

Hazyna, who had previously been cantering rather placidly, suddenly awoke when she head the jump upon their approach. Her rider, feeling a moments' hesitation, urged her on. Ears pricked and nostrils blowing, Zena arched her neck and tucked her feet up tightly as she sought to clear the loud obstacle with as much space as possible. Astrid could only wonder what the rest of the course held in store for them.