[Gigalili88]

Username: Gigalili88
Show Name: Bridge Between Worlds
Barn Name: Amber
Age: 6 years old
Discipline: cross country
Halter: Her eye color please <3
Competition:

[gяεч]

thank you all for entering-
the winner of this mare is SpartanAmethyst^^

[SpartanAmethyst]

It was a shame that Benjamin didn't believe in god, because if he did, he'd be asking for his blessing right around now. This was going to be his first time riding Viper into a competition; she was a beautiful mare, with a coat like mottled marble and the conformation of a Greek goddess, but personality wise? She was a demon of the highest caliber. And the moment she looked at him, a cold chill ran up his spine.

Under that deep red gaze, he could feel his anxiety reach its peak.

'You should ride her', 'she respects you', 'no one else can even stay on her back'; all of those reassurements and compliments seemed like a faraway dream, now that she was standing across the stable yard, tacked and groomed to absolute perfection. Still, despite his fear, he couldn't help but gawk at her beauty. Even though he rode many other horses for Amethyst Ridge, she was undoubtedly his favorite, and through all of the long hours training and many times being quickly unseated, he liked to think they'd made progress, and that she even enjoyed his company, too. So, steeling his nerves, he stepped forward to meet Amethyst and his mount, where she was putting the final touches on the mare's mane braids. The ranch owner turned to look as Benjamin approached, and brunette beamed. "You look amazing," she said, pausing to reach over and straighten his jacket and brush a bit of dust from his sleeve.

"I don't feel amazing," he said, sheepishly looking over to find Viper staring at him, intense gaze totally unwavering.

"Nervous?" She asked.

"Like you wouldn't believe."

"I'd believe, but you're going to do fine; you and Viper have trained hard for this. Remember, she wants that ribbon just as much as you do. Come on, your time is almost here, let's get you up there."

The next thing Benjamin knew, he was sitting astride the grey mare, reins gathered easily in his gloved hands. His white coat was a stark contrast against the stableyard, and he took a calming breath as he looked down. Viper looked back at him, ears pinned and gaze sharpened, almost daring him to make a mistake. Amethyst went off to check on one of her other competitors, and Benjamin willed himself to relax a bit. "Alright Viper," he murmured, and one ear unpinned to tilt towards him. She was listening? Actually listening? "I know you want to throw me more than anything, but let's just focus on the competition, okay? We've worked hard for this, and I want the world to see your talent. We can do this, yeah?" Suddenly her ears seemed to unpin the slightest bit, and he could feel her relax a little. That in turn calmed him down, just in time for the judge to motion for the duo. He squeezed his legs ever so slightly and she walked forward obediently. He straightened his back as they entered the arena, and halted in front of the Judges, saluting slowly and elegantly, just as they'd always practiced.

The performance went flawlessly; despite her bad attitude off the floor, on it she was nothing short of the goddess she looked like. Each movement was controlled and precise, never more than what was asked, never less. She floated rather than moved, and even the tiniest shift of pressure he gave was a signal she read loud and clear. By the time they stood in front of the judges and saluted again, his confidence and pride was at an all time high. They walked off the arena floor with Benjamin patting her neck lovingly, feeling higher than cloud nine- until he wasn't.

Without warning Viper suddenly bucked, throwing him out of the saddle and landing squarely on his butt. Great plumes of dust flew up from his landing, dirtying his white coat and leaving him sore. Amethyst quickly ran over to help him up, Viper just calmly walking towards the tack area to await her untacking. She was growing fond of her rider, that she wouldn't deny; but he wasn't quite there yet. He still had a very long way to go to win her affections.

[ 700 words ]