Bonus Prompt 3 - Super Star

Cassandra sat down in the stands at the cross country course at Thorn Rose. She was already dressed for her ride later in the day in the exhibition category, black pants and a gold rose embroidered red tunic made her yellow eyes all the more noticeable as she looked out over the field.  

She wasn’t going to be watching all the competitions this year as she was actually competing on one of her newer horses in the jumping and dressage portions, but she’d deliberately avoided entering the cross country even though it was one of her favorites to compete in. 

Lovely and Ember would be competing in the advanced division this year for the first time, and Cass wanted to see how they’d do. Cass had, of course, seen them compete other years both at Thorn Rose and elsewhere, but not in this particular class. And not at Thorn Rose, which was notorious for a difficult course at this level of competition. 

Lovely had come a long way in the five, almost six years since the mare had been purchased for Ember and the black pearl dun mare had flourished in that time. Proper care, treatment, and training had brought out the best in her and she’d won several competitions over the years. Cass had no reason to suspect this time would be any different, though that would be up to how Lovely and Ember performed. Even with her being the host of the competition, everyone had to stand on their own merit. 

The first two competitors she’d seen race before and wasn’t surprised when they put up excellent runs. One of them had balked at the keyhole jump and the other had stumbled a bit over the last table, but they were otherwise clean and quick. 

Then it was Ember and Lovely’s turn. Cass couldn’t help but admire the mare. Her coat was clean and shining, her little birdcatcher spots and the white of her socks by her dun markings glimmered in the son. Her long, curly tail, the mark of a Loshenka, was brushed out and shining dark brown. 

Their run started well, Lovely still showing the same enthusiasm for the race as she had when she’d first competed. Ember had grown better as a rider too, the red-eyed elf keeping her seat comfortably as she guided the mare along the course. 

They cleared the first major obstacle without so much as pausing, though it seemed for a moment Lovely may have wanted to stop and play in the water. She always was a water bug. But it seemed the drive for the competition was greater than the desire to swim, at least for the moment. 

Lovely cleared the keyhole without missing a step, which was nice to see. The mare occasionally still hesitated at those, but Ember had been working patiently with her for several months if the reports Cass had on the training were accurate. It had clearly paid off, particularly as Lovely and Ember both had a certain natural talent. 

By the end of the run, Cass had no doubt as to the outcome. While it was still possible for another rider and horse pair to put up a better race, she'd seen enough of the others ride to deem it unlikely they'd be able to beat the run Ember and Lovely had put up. A few of the pairs were faster but more prone to clipping jumps or balking if the pace was wrong. And the others simply weren't as quick. She was looking forward to seeing the pair in the winners circle. 

As she predicted, the rest of the runs were rather anticlimactic for her if not the rest of the audience. There was one pair who might have come close, but the rider fell unexpectedly going over the table. It was a pity but even the best riders had bad days and bad rides. 

It didn't take long after the last pair had run the course for Ember and Lovely to be declared the winner. The pretty black pearl mayor stood in the winners circle with Ember next to her, red eyes gleaming with delight as Cassandra walked up with the wreath and trophy. Lovely's dark eyes swept the crowd without a trace of fear. If anything, she looked excited enough that she would have run the course again without thinking twice. Her delicate white stockings and little birdcatcher spots glimmered in the light, not traces of dirt or mud on her. It seemed Ember had given the mare a bath shortly after the race as a treat for performing beautifully. 

Cass approached Lovely, the mare nipping at the pocket she somehow still remembered Cass keeping treats in. The demonkin petted the mare's nose while gently pushing it away. There'd be time for treats later. 

"You may as well give it to her. She knows its there." Ember laughed, patting Lovely's neck as Cass slipped the wreath over it, the crowd cheering wildly. Anyone with any experience knew it was well earned, particularly given the difficulty of the course. 

Cass smiled and slipped a piece of a carrot out of her pocket. "With pleasure. Provided you don't try to hug me this time." 

"Deal." Ember laughed as she watched Cass give Lovely the carrot with a happy smile. 

"Good." Cass nodded, smiling just a bit. It wasn't a big smile, but it was genuine. She handed the trophy to Ember and introduced them to the crowd, listening as they cheered for the pair again. 

Lovely tossed her head in excitement as Ember stood proudly beside her, looking at the crowd with something akin to wonder. Cass backed away slowly, letting the two have the limelight. The two of them were a perfect example of what patience, hard work, and good care could do and she was proud of them. 

As Cass turned to walk away, having her own competition got get ready for, she felt a hand close around hers. With a sigh, she turned around to regard Ember. "Yes." 

Ember smiled, giving Cass one of the flowers from the wreath. "We wouldn't be here if not for you, so thank you." 

Cass regarded the elf and the mare. "I only put money towards the matter, Ember. You and Lovely did the work. The credit is yours. Now, if you'll excuse me..." 

Ember grinned brighter, but for once remembered not to hug the demonkin. "We'll make sure we keep at it. Right, Lovely?" 

The mare seemed to agree, looking towards the course with a hunger for the competition. 

This time Cass did smile, fangs flashing brightly, according them what for her was a mark of respect. "Then next time, maybe I'll ride against you." 

Both Lovely and Ember seemed to understand the statement for what is was, and Ember's red eyes and Lovely's brown practically seemed to glow with delight. From neglect to thriving, and now to a challenge. Neither of them could think of anything better.