Phase 3 - Riding High

Thorn Rose Stables was abuzz with activity as the stables got ready to host a novice show on the grounds. Stablehands cleaned out the stalls, floors were swept and scrubbed, tack was polished, grounds were cleaned, extra feed and supplies were being laid in, temporary stalls were being set up in one of the fields. It was a familiar chaos, and one Cassanda appreciated because it meant a chance to show off Thorn Rose’s training program. 

This year would be a particular delight seeing as Ember would be riding Lovely in the crosscountry competition this year. The elf had put in a lot of work with the mare, and now it was time to see if it paid off. 

Cass stopped to regard the now empty stable where Lovely had been housed up until a few months ago when they’d officially made the move to Halloway Stables and their permanent residence. She hadn’t seen her since then and was looking forward to seeing how much further Ember and Lovely had progressed. 

At the time the pair had returned home, all of Lovely’s underlying health conditions had been addressed as best they could. The mare’s teeth had been treated and the sores had healed and she was gaining weight and muscle at a healthy rate. Ember had even gotten her to stop backing away when putting a halter on her, though they’d never managed to get her to take a bit again. Not without a fight, or what passed for a fight from Lovely. The mare was still the most good natured horse Cass had ever seen. 

She moved out of the way as a few of the horses coming in for the competition were brought in and settled into their stables. All of them were younger and for most of them it would be their first competition. She’d limited the scope of eligible horses to those with no more than five competition entries in their category. She did have a few exhibition rides where people could show off their more experienced horses, but there were no prizes or awards for those categories. It would merely be bragging rights and a chance to show off skills.  

“Ms. Sinclair?” 

Cass turned around at the familiar voice, only to find the very people she’d been musing about standing not more than a few feet away. 

Ember’s red eyes were practically glowing with excitement, though the way she shifted from foot to foot clearly showed that nerves were winning. “Ms. Sinclair, are you certain you want us here?” 

“Would I have invited you if I didn’t? And would you have accepted if you didn’t think Lovely was ready?” 

“Well, no, ma’am. Not at all.” Ember shook her head as Lovely extended her neck to try and sniff at Cassandra’s pockets, clearly remembering the demonkin’s propensity to carry treats. 

“Then why ask?” Cass reached out and stroked Lovely’s nose, pulling a small slice of carrot from her pocket. “May I?” 

“Ma’am?” Ember looked confused. 

“She’s your horse now and no longer in the care of my stables or staff, which means it would be rude to give her a treat without permission.” Cassandra nearly smiled. 

“Oh, of course, ma’am. You can give her any treats you’d like whenever you’d like. I wouldn’t have her without you, after all.” Ember nodded, stroking Lovely’s side fondly. 

“Thank you.” Cassandra offered Lovely the carrot, which the mare snapped up with enthusiasm, crunching at it happily. “Did you just arrive?” 

“Yes, ma’am. We got here about thirty minutes ago and I stopped to talk to a few of the stablehands. They were all excited to see Lovely and Elinara caught us and wanted to look her over.” 

“Understandably so.” Cassandra nodded. “She’s really turned into a stunning horse.” While it might have at times been a social politeness, in this case Cass was only telling the truth. 

Lovely had filled out; her topline and body now the precise weight for her build. Her dark black pearl coat had started to shine making the husky fading even more apparent along with the darker dun markings on her legs. Her delicate little white socks and bird catcher spots shown clearly in her coat, the spots almost like little stars. But what really showed the change more than anything was the contentment in the mare’s brown eyes, and the way they leaned trustingly into Ember, fishing for treats and stood calmly in their bitless bridle when Ember corrected a behavior. 

“So, you finally gave up on a bit?” Cassandra asked, leading towards the same stall Lovely had started her time at Thorn Rose in. Most horses tended to be nervous around so much activity, but the mare simply seemed to be taking it all in with a sense of excitement. Like it was something she was supposed to be doing. 

Ember nodded. “We eventually got her to take one, but she didn’t like it. She chewed at it a lot and was just generally uncomfortable with it, so we decided it was better to go without. She’s actually an easy handle and responds well to commands, plus I swear she has all the energy in the world. She’ll run a crosscountry track and then want to play in the water as soon as we get back. I practically have to drag her away from the puddles once we’re done… well, I wouldn’t actually drag her, that would be mean, but…” 

“Yes, I understand.” Cass interrupted before the explanation could continue, waving Ember towards the stall. “Get her settled in and fed. You know the routine here and where everything is. I’ll see you both on the course tomorrow.” 

Without waiting for Ember to respond, Cass turned and walked away. There was still plenty of work to be done and the real show in the morning. 

A morning which came quickly all things considered. With all the arriving riders and horses, plus the last minute details, Cass hadn’t really had time to double back and check on Ember and Lovely, not that she was worried. 

The morning sun was low in the horizon, the last of a lingering fog vanishing as the riders and horses started making their way onto the course. Cass quickly spotted Ember and Lovely in the midst of the other riders. Ember looked nervous but Lovely’s ears were poked forward and her brown eyes were taking in the scene with anticipation. 

It was a simple course designed for novice riders and horses, all of the riders having had a chance the last few days to walk the course and get familiar with it. 

She didn’t pay much more than polite attention to the first few riders through. While it was her stable sponsoring it, they didn’t have any of their riders or horses in it. All of them would be riding exhibition later. 

Finally it was Ember and Lovely’s turn, and Cass sat up straighter, curious to see how the pair would perform. 

Lovely danced a bit at the line, what looked to be an old habit of chewing on a bit surfacing for a moment, but there was no bit to chew and the behavior was gone quickly as the signal to begin was given. 

Cass had the feeling Lovely would have taken the course far faster if Ember hadn’t been keeping a firm hand on the reins. The black pearl mare seemed to want to throw themselves over every jump in her path as soon as they could reach them, which was certainly fun to watch. 

There were a few times Cass saw Lovely over respond to a signal from Ember, most likely a part of the mare still thinking it might hurt in some way, but it was never enough to cause the horse to stop or be unable to be corrected. It also didn’t seem to dim the mare’s enthusiasm for the task, the horse clearly eager to please. 

While they had one misstep on a more tricky table jump, they also ended up having one of the more clean runs. Certainly the best time of all the pairs, likely due to Lovely’s excitement and desire to run. 

Cass was quietly proud of the pair when they ended up taking first place in the crosscountry competition. It made it all the better that as the owner of the sponsoring stables she got to place the wreath on Lovely and hand the trophy to Ember. Lovely, true to form, immediately tried to steal a treat from Cass’s pocket, and on failing that decided to munch on a few flowers from the wreath. 

Cass slipped Lovely a sugar cube and patted the mare’s neck before turning to congratulate Ember, the elf smiling from ear to ear as they accepted the trophy. 

Before Cass could stop them, Ember practically launched herself at the demonkin, wrapping her in a tight hug. “Thank you, Ms. Sinclair. Thank you so much for everything!” 

Cass gently disengaged herself from Ember, straightening her tunic. “Ember, hugs are not on the agenda for today. But you’re welcome.” 

Ember nodded, resting a hand on Lovely’s neck, still smiling from ear to ear at everything that had happened and waving at the cheering crowd as Lovely tossed her head in excitement. 

As Cass stepped back and let the pair have the circle to themselves she smiled, the ceremony had been made all the sweeter by the fact that as Cass had placed the wreath on Lovely, she had been able to look up and look the mare’s old owners straight in the eye as they sat in the stands and watched as the horse they’d neglected for not being good enough won first place in a competition because someone had taken the time to treat them right and train them right. They hadn’t deserved Lovely, and as far as Cass was concerned should never own a horse again, but that was a matter for another day.