Username;; DVTProject
Show Name: Taking A Leap Of Faith
Barn Name: Matisse (Named after Henri Matisse)
Gender: stallion
Age: 14
Height: 16.3hh
Halter: Same color as the one this mare is wearingDiscipline: Cross Country and Endurance (Originally Barrel Racing)
Theme: Courage, Survival, and Sadness
Story: Lost In The Wood
Matisse trotted down the path, head high as he watched the sun’s rays dance through the leaves. Bo patted the stallion’s neck, also enjoying the peace nature brought to him. The leaves crunched under his hooves and the birds sang, it was a picture-perfect day. Bo slowed Matisse to a walk, checking his phone. His wife, Alexia, had told him that some storm clouds would roll in today around 2:30, and to be home before then. It was currently 1:48, the two still had some time before they’d have to leave. Matisse pulled at Bo’s his reins, already bored. “Fine Matty,” Bo said with a chuckle, urging the stallion forward into a trot again, Matisse giving a happy snort as he pranced. Bo sometimes wondered if they had chosen the wrong discipline for thoroughbred, but Pheonix said he excelled in barrel racing and was in love with it, so they decided to let the stallion keep his current job. Though if it was up to Bo, he would have switched the Matisse to dressage, he had the form and movement for it, his flashy coat would also give him the upper hand in shows.
Bo isn’t sure how much time had passed, but when he looked up the sky was grey, meaning the two had been out for too long. Bo pulled Matisse back to a walk and turned around, trying his best to remember any shortcuts back to the barn. Before Matisse could even take a second step, lighting shot down from one of the clouds, hitting a large tree. Matisse squealed and reared up, bolting back the other way. Bo tried with all his might to get Matisse to stop, but he couldn’t. “Matty stop please!” Bo cried out, fear and panic in his voice. Matisse was never the kind of horse to spook at loud noises, but with the combination of smell and light coming into play, how could he not run? Matisse unexpectedly let out a huge buck, knocking Bo off his back. The rain at this point was pouring and the thunder was becoming more frequent. Bo clutched his arm as he watched the Matisse fade into the distance. “No no no no…” This couldn’t be happening, not now, not ever. He knew he couldn’t just stay out in the open so he found a small cave underneath the path, hiding. An hour or so later he heard voices. “BO! BO ARE YOU HEAR” his wife’s voice yelled over the rain. “I’M HERE!” Bo yelled back, standing up. Alexia ran into the cave, practically tackling Bo in a hug. “Thank the heavens you’re safe..” She said, moving a piece of hair that was clinging to her face. She looked around for a second. “Wait where’s Matisse?”
Meanwhile...
I continued to run down the path after I had my bucking fit, my heart was racing and my fight or flight instincts were kicking in. I jumped onto a fallen tree that acted as a bridge across a small river, though when I had stepped off it finally gave in and collapsed, almost taking me with it. I turned around, watching it fall down and drift away. “Dang it…” I looked around, doing the best I could to keep the rain from hitting my eyes. I was suddenly aware of the lack of weight on my back. I glanced back, dread washing over me when I didn’t see Bo. “Bo!” I called out, spinning in a circle. The man was nowhere in sight. “No no, BO!” I yelled out again, trotting towards the ledge. He had to be on the other side of the river. I looked down at the water, it may be smaller than most rivers but it was still deep and fast, so swimming across wasn’t an option. I examined the gap, it might be jumpable, but I’m no showjumper. He’d have to find another way around. I turned around again and trottted down the path, looking for a way home.
A loud growl erupted from the foliage in front of me, setting off a million alarms in my head. Yellows eyes stared at me from the dark woods, the rain had covered the sound of their approach. This was it, this is the last thing he’d see. Something in his gut told him he had a fighting chance, so with a rush of adredaline he whized around and bolted away, running as fast as he could go. Memories from his racing days flooded into his head, his hoofbeats feel into a rhythm, a rhythm that was too familiar. The ledge came into view again. It was worth a shot, right?
I sped towards the clif, squeezing my eyes shut as I took a leap of faith. My life flashed before my eyes, i saw the faces of my mother, Phoenix, Bo, everyone I’ve ever cared about. This was it. The sound of my hooves hitting the ground brought me back to reality. I was alive, still breathing, still running. I looked back at the wolves, who were snarling and barking angrily at their lost meal. I blinked back tears, I would get to see everyone again.
Bo sat on the porch facing the woods, a somber expression on his face. He lost Matisse and it was all his fault. Bo whipped away his tears, looking back the woods. A figure emerged from the woods, catching Bo’s eye. They grew bigger and bigger as they approached the house at a high speed. They leaped over the pasture fence, continuing to run towards Bo. he stood up and looked closer. No way. The familiar brown stallion witha golden mane jumped over another fence, neighing happily as he spotted Bo. “Matisse!” Bo jumped off the porch and watched as Matisse slowed down, coming right up to Bo. “You had me worried sick you bastard!” Bo exclaimed, his voice all choked up. Matisse just huffed and nuzzled against the small man’s shoulder. “Maybe we should ask Pheonix and Alex about a showjumping career for ya, eh?”
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