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Description

Show: WSA Opening Bash 2023
Location: Avery, Texas, US
Class: Cross Country
Horse: ESE Aphrodite's Tears
Rider: Misha Starca-Blake

Misha was still a bit breathless from the ride with Gold, and the cooldown, when they got to Appa, who their friend and trainer, June, had managed to get tacked up, after some resistance from the sweet but overly-loyal heavy mare. They checked all of her straps and buckles and climbed up into the saddle to get her walking and ready to move.

June took a few steps back while Appa started to circle.

“She was happy to see you,” she said, “She wasn’t too thrilled to be waiting around here with me.”

Misha laughed, “I’m sorry, you know how she is by now. My lovely Obertaurer – does anything I ask of her but won’t take orders from anyone else.”

June pouted, “Leaves me a bit in the dark as a trainer, though.”

Appa huffed. Misha let her walk herself closer to June and stick her nose out, and the petite blonde woman gave her a little scratch.

“Sorry, are you?” she smiled, “I know you can’t help your instincts.”

Misha felt a little glow of pride. Appa was a very dear partner to them, and only them, but Misha was glad their special girl could still show her good sides to others, too.

The light sprinkle of rain started to feel a little heavier on their backs. June held a hand flat over her head.

“Another shower incoming,” Misha said, “Are you going to get under cover? We’ll be off in a few minutes.”

“Yes,” June said and started backing towards the shelter of an evergreen tree, “Are you feeling good together? Match Gold’s time at least?”

Misha dropped the reins and gave a thumbs up through their fleece gloves, and rubbed Appa’s shoulder with the other hand.

The mare shook her head under the light rain that fell through the trees. She was in for a messy ride, but that suited her interests – dust, dirt, mud and water – very well.

They set off down the path with a steady canter as soon as they got the signal. Appa was a sturdy ride and handled most cross country jumps well if set up properly. They made good but careful progress through the wooded trail, and came out to the lakeshore side of the course. Misha took another look out onto Lake Silver, which seemed to glisten even without much sun above them. The sand was more than damp after wave after wave of fine rain.

There was a log jump down the beach ahead of them, nice and straight down their path, when Appa pulled up on the sand. She kicked her feet in the sand, and went to splash a hoof at the edge of the lake.

Misha gasped. “Appa- Appa, go on, girl.” They whistled.

The buckskin mare snapped out of her temporary daze and shook herself straight and sped towards the logs, picking up just enough momentum to clear it with even a gentle jump.

Misha sighed in relief and had to smile, even with a couple of prime seconds lost. They could still make good progress on the last stretch of the course.

Who was Misha to keep their mare from her true love, splashing about in wet earth.

Art, story, characters by me
Reference

Description

Show: WSA Opening Bash 2023
Location: Avery, Texas, US
Class: Cross Country
Horse: ESE Aphrodite's Tears
Rider: Misha Starca-Blake

Misha was still a bit breathless from the ride with Gold, and the cooldown, when they got to Appa, who their friend and trainer, June, had managed to get tacked up, after some resistance from the sweet but overly-loyal heavy mare. They checked all of her straps and buckles and climbed up into the saddle to get her walking and ready to move.

June took a few steps back while Appa started to circle.

“She was happy to see you,” she said, “She wasn’t too thrilled to be waiting around here with me.”

Misha laughed, “I’m sorry, you know how she is by now. My lovely Obertaurer – does anything I ask of her but won’t take orders from anyone else.”

June pouted, “Leaves me a bit in the dark as a trainer, though.”

Appa huffed. Misha let her walk herself closer to June and stick her nose out, and the petite blonde woman gave her a little scratch.

“Sorry, are you?” she smiled, “I know you can’t help your instincts.”

Misha felt a little glow of pride. Appa was a very dear partner to them, and only them, but Misha was glad their special girl could still show her good sides to others, too.

The light sprinkle of rain started to feel a little heavier on their backs. June held a hand flat over her head.

“Another shower incoming,” Misha said, “Are you going to get under cover? We’ll be off in a few minutes.”

“Yes,” June said and started backing towards the shelter of an evergreen tree, “Are you feeling good together? Match Gold’s time at least?”

Misha dropped the reins and gave a thumbs up through their fleece gloves, and rubbed Appa’s shoulder with the other hand.

The mare shook her head under the light rain that fell through the trees. She was in for a messy ride, but that suited her interests – dust, dirt, mud and water – very well.

They set off down the path with a steady canter as soon as they got the signal. Appa was a sturdy ride and handled most cross country jumps well if set up properly. They made good but careful progress through the wooded trail, and came out to the lakeshore side of the course. Misha took another look out onto Lake Silver, which seemed to glisten even without much sun above them. The sand was more than damp after wave after wave of fine rain.

There was a log jump down the beach ahead of them, nice and straight down their path, when Appa pulled up on the sand. She kicked her feet in the sand, and went to splash a hoof at the edge of the lake.

Misha gasped. “Appa- Appa, go on, girl.” They whistled.

The buckskin mare snapped out of her temporary daze and shook herself straight and sped towards the logs, picking up just enough momentum to clear it with even a gentle jump.

Misha sighed in relief and had to smile, even with a couple of prime seconds lost. They could still make good progress on the last stretch of the course.

Who was Misha to keep their mare from her true love, splashing about in wet earth.

Art, story, characters by me
Reference