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Look who was hiding behind the stables! She seems to be really frightened.
As far as we can tell she escaped from a circus, but why?
To win her, tell me where she escaped from and why. Add to the story how you find the owner and convince him/her to give this little mare to you.
{I may do a runner up in form of her circus friend.}
Arrows wrote:Show Name:
The Show Must Go On
Barn Name:
Showstopper
Gender:
Mare
Age:
Six Years
Breed:
Spanish Mustang
{Appaloosa is rarer in this horse, but it is seen and possible.}
Color:
Bay Blanket Appaloosa
Height:
14.3 hh
History:
Showstopper is a beloved trick horse! Or I guess I should say "was." She was taught to bow, to rear, and many, many various other tricks. This gal was one of the main attractions of her traveling circus, and was constantly advertised. Yet Showstopper was unhappy - she disliked the flashing cameras, the yelling fans, and the tricks that she did. When she was younger, she was supposed to be a Western pleasure horse. That changed when she was sold for lots of money to a thin man.
Her career began with constant frustration. When she didn't get something perfectly, Showstopper's trainer would raise his fist as though to hit her or stomp about. The mare would always cringe away. It took a bit until she was ready, and when she turned three Showstopper had her first show.
- - -
[Showstopper's P.O.V.]
Three years I've been doing these shows. I have never gotten used to being surrounded by hooting people, trapped in a flapping red and white tent. I do not like the flashes that fill my eyes as I walk along and do my event, they scare me. I don't like the tricks I do and the tack I wear, for it is unusual and not what I want to do. I yearn for something more.
I have many fears because of my training and what I was exposed to at an early age. I could ramble on and on about them. I don't like loud noises, storms, bright lights, shadows, raised hands, or whips. But the boss man uses many whips on me when I do wrong. He is not considerate and understanding, but mean and cruel. He rides me today, and I cautiously do his bidding for the sake of not being punished.
I can see the tent doors flapping on the windy day. I wish to gallop just outside those doors without a rider, without a care. I want to be free.
Smack!
I jump as I feel the whip against my side and realize that the man asked me to do a trick. With clumsy expertise, I do the trick and can tell that the boss does not like it. He is not impressed. I brace myself for another smack, but it does not come. The boss decided against it, I suppose.
The crowd's loud noise rings in my ears, annoying as always. After the shows, I always have a bit of buzzing now and then. Cameras are flashing everywhere, and I can't take it. No, no, NO! It's too much. I can't hear myself think, can't even hear the boss. I feel another light smack and he urges me roughly. I refuse.
Fed up and unable to keep my calm, I rear up forcefully. It wasn't the trick I was supposed to do, but I want to. The boss man is so surprised, he falls to the ground with a loud, angry thump.
"Horse..." His rage radiates, and he gets up shakily. The crowd is wowing, thinking its part of the show. Stablehands rush out and try to grab me, but I buck and pin my ears. There it is. The tent entrance is unguarded, right there. I can be free.
I shoot forward just as one boy grabs my reins. They are ripped from his hands, and I am afraid they will snap and the boy will be hurt. But he is not. Even if he was, I do not look back. I run faster then I ever have before. I burst into the daylight, and whinny with joy. Yet I cannot stop. Must run as far as I can.
So I do. I here voices behind me, and harsh footsteps, but they cannot catch me. Never!
- - -
I am cold. I am hungry. It is night time nearly, and I have been going for hours. I am miles and miles away from the circus, and I enjoyed myself the first bit - now I am having a harder time. I have seen many houses, but none with food. But...there! I can see a barn up ahead, like the one I first lived in. I smell grain and hay, and I am drawn to it. In the darkness of night, I trot to it and find stacked bales on the south side of the barn. I don't even think, for hunger overtakes me. I sink my teeth into the nearest bale, and a sweet taste fills my mouth. I eat nearly half of the bale, and I am so full and tired that I lay down right there, just slightly content.
I fall asleep with the sound of crickets in my ears and slightly shivering. But you know what? I am happier then I have been in nearly four years.
-End of P.O.V.-
- - -
"Yes, I found her behind my barn. My address? Yeah. You'll be here in an hour? Well, uh, okay." The phone call was brief and the man practically shouted. I sat beside the horse named "Showstopper," whom was happily eating in my grassy pasture. My horses in the other pastures regarded her with curiosity and caution. The appaloosa came from a circus, and the man had been searching for her. She was amazing, really - a Spanish Mustang, just around 14.3 hands. I enjoyed watching her. It stuck me as odd that she was a circus horse, though - she didn't seem like the type. I had found her this morning, along with a demolished bale of hay. But that was alright - I wasn't too mad.
The man banged on the barn door until I opened it. "Where's my horse?" He barked. I didn't speak, looking at him warily and leading him out to the pasture. "Showstopper..." I was surprised; his voice was threatening and full of rage. The mare's head jerked up, and she slowly backed away. I could see the fear enter her eyes so quickly.
I can't let this happen.
"Umm...Mr. Anders, I'd like to speak to you about something first." I blurted out.
"What?" The man turned to me with a gruff voice.
I thought before speaking, then said, "I will give you #ff8cff500 for Showstopper."
Then, the man did something very peculiar: he began to laugh. Chortling and nearly falling over, he managed to say, "Deal. This mare isn't worth the battle."
I was surprised, for that was that. I gave him a check in a golden envelope, and Mr. Anders left. When he left, he actually seemed happy and honked his horn energetically. Showstopper whinnied and reared excitedly, too - I think she understood.
"Well, Miss Gorgeous...I think you're mine now." The mare trotted to me and gave me a loving nudge, as though thanking me. There was a more lively gleam to her eyes now.
- - -
I began to teach Showstopper Western pleasure after pondering what to train her in. I looked at her a while, and then made my decision. She was overjoyed; we're going to our first show soon, and I know that she will be amazing, even if she doesn't win. I have learned a lot about her, like her fears, strengths, favorites, and weaknesses. I hope that the crowd at our show will be smaller, because I have seen how she reacts to hooting and hollering.
Although she disliked tricks, I still see some of her circus learnings in her occasionally; I don't think she'll ever forget. That includes whatever that man did to her and what she experienced. I hope that she does understand that she is here and safe from him now.
She is a special little appaloosa, my girl. I have babied her a while, but I know I shouldn't. But I feel the need to - even she gets annoyed, though, so I've cut back. She stopped my world the moment I saw her, and she will do the same to you.
Personality:
Showstopper is easily frightened by things and has quite a bit of fears. She likes to be cared for, and despises flashes and loud noises. You have to be patient with her, and she will be patient and cooperative back. This circus horse has a loving, tender personality and will always be on your side. The Show Must Go On likes to call herself somewhat of an artist and has a lot of creativity in her. She is extremely quiet and flexible with nearly everything. Showstopper doesn't care for leading anyone, and would much rather be a follower. She is loyal and very concerned with others. This mare will be very original with ideas, and hates living in the past; she lives in the moment.
