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Description
Level: Level 3
Class: Pole Bending
Horse's Name and AQHR ID #: Serpent's Pendant Q-631
Rider/Handler's Name: Freja Dubois
Bonus Prompt Included: Yes(orange tack)

Word Count: 962
`~~~~`~~~~`~~~~`~~~~`
Freja wiped the sweat from her face as she stood waiting in the hot Arizona sun. She'd made a decently long trip from Wyoming to be competing today, and she could hardly wait to begin.
Snake stood beside her, already sweating from the dry air. He wasn't used to being on ground with no grass, so his legs shifted restlessly against the stones. Freja began messing with his forelock, giving him a reassuring grin. "Sorry bud, I know it's hot."
The stallion snorted, shaking her hand off his head. He bent down to sniff the ground, disappointed by the red dust under his nose.

Freja thought he might feel better if he walked around a bit, so she picked up his reins and guided him towards the arena. She leaned against the natural wood fence, watching one of her competitors warm up her horse.

She couldn't help but feel intimidated by everything. She was from a very remote ranch that was having much different weather. She honestly could not tell if her horse was struggling in the different climate or just annoyed by it. Everyone else seemed so calm and experienced, and there stood Freja Dubois. Nervous for her first AQHR competition. She only planned on entering Snake in the pole bending, because that's what he was best at. He was very agile, and she was confident in his ability in the arena. She just hoped bringing him was the right decision.

Soon she mounted and began warming up on her own. Her horse stood calm beneath her, reaching back to touch her boot and look at her to say, "it's ok, we're together." She rubbed his neck and urged him on.

She watched people talking and mingling around them, and a painful ache began ringing in her chest. Lacey was not here with her. She has tried her best to be there for Freja, but one of the top horses had an impaction colic just before loading up to leave. So she stayed home, but had insisted on Freja still heading to Nevada. And now here she was, alone without her girlfriend. But at least she had Snake.

Soon the arena was cleared to begin setting up for the other classes. She dropped her reins as she exited and pulled out the show bill she had folded in her pocket. Pole bending was still a good bit away, so she hopped off and loosened her girth, then led Snake to some shade and water by her trailer where he could stand while she watches the classes going before her. She leaned on the fence again, admiring all the experienced showmen and their loyal steeds, who seemed to think this was just another Tuesday. She couldn't help but imagine herself and Snake performing out there. She knew he'd try for her, but she wasn't going to ask more from him than she herself could take. She then imagined one of the competitors being Lacey, and she smiled. She could absolutely see her out there with one of their horses having the time of her life. Maybe even taking home a blue ribbon or two.

Soon it was time for an arena drag and then they would set up the pole bending. Now more relaxed and confident, she went to retrieve her golden boy.

Two other people went before her. And then it was her turn. She waited patiently as the timer was reset, and whoever was holding the clipboard finished writing their times. Though with the way the pen was flying, they might as well have been writing dressage test notes. She became slightly impatient. Come on now, how long does it take to write a few numbers?

Finally, the judge nodded to someone, and she was cleared for takeoff. She kissed to Snake, who was already very excited, and off they went. They blazed to the last pole, kicking up plenty of sand as he found his momentum. With the slightest tap of the heel he turned on a dime, leaving nine cents change. They weaved through each pole set, not even teetering one as the giant agile stallion flew around the colorful poles. The heat of the sun has disappeared. The rocks no longer bothered their feet and Freja's heart no longer ached with the misery of loneliness. She came to the end pole once again, turning sharp again and sending him home. She kissed and kissed, keeping her hands steady and her feet quiet. Snake ran much faster without heels in his ribs. As they crossed the timer she couldn't hear her time being announced. Her blood roared in her ears and her horse breathed heavily beneath her. Perhaps that's all she needed, a good run on a good horse.

She knew her results would be given to her soon enough, but she had something more important to do than worry about scores and placings. Her horse was probably hot and thirsty from that sudden exertion of energy, and it was time for her athletic stallion to rest and refuel. He would have a long trailer ride back home to his stall, but until then he could enjoy the view of the Grand Canyon. She wasn't sure he'd ever get to see it again.

She loosened his cinch as she got off, hand walking him back to his hay net. He began munching away the moment he could reach it. She swiftly took off all his tack, then took the sweat scraper over him. Perhaps she was being a little dramatic about how sweaty he was, but better safe than sorry in new environments.

Soon she was packed up and ready to head off, just had to load her horse. But first, she had to go grab her results.

Description
Level: Level 3
Class: Pole Bending
Horse's Name and AQHR ID #: Serpent's Pendant Q-631
Rider/Handler's Name: Freja Dubois
Bonus Prompt Included: Yes(orange tack)

Word Count: 962
`~~~~`~~~~`~~~~`~~~~`
Freja wiped the sweat from her face as she stood waiting in the hot Arizona sun. She'd made a decently long trip from Wyoming to be competing today, and she could hardly wait to begin.
Snake stood beside her, already sweating from the dry air. He wasn't used to being on ground with no grass, so his legs shifted restlessly against the stones. Freja began messing with his forelock, giving him a reassuring grin. "Sorry bud, I know it's hot."
The stallion snorted, shaking her hand off his head. He bent down to sniff the ground, disappointed by the red dust under his nose.

Freja thought he might feel better if he walked around a bit, so she picked up his reins and guided him towards the arena. She leaned against the natural wood fence, watching one of her competitors warm up her horse.

She couldn't help but feel intimidated by everything. She was from a very remote ranch that was having much different weather. She honestly could not tell if her horse was struggling in the different climate or just annoyed by it. Everyone else seemed so calm and experienced, and there stood Freja Dubois. Nervous for her first AQHR competition. She only planned on entering Snake in the pole bending, because that's what he was best at. He was very agile, and she was confident in his ability in the arena. She just hoped bringing him was the right decision.

Soon she mounted and began warming up on her own. Her horse stood calm beneath her, reaching back to touch her boot and look at her to say, "it's ok, we're together." She rubbed his neck and urged him on.

She watched people talking and mingling around them, and a painful ache began ringing in her chest. Lacey was not here with her. She has tried her best to be there for Freja, but one of the top horses had an impaction colic just before loading up to leave. So she stayed home, but had insisted on Freja still heading to Nevada. And now here she was, alone without her girlfriend. But at least she had Snake.

Soon the arena was cleared to begin setting up for the other classes. She dropped her reins as she exited and pulled out the show bill she had folded in her pocket. Pole bending was still a good bit away, so she hopped off and loosened her girth, then led Snake to some shade and water by her trailer where he could stand while she watches the classes going before her. She leaned on the fence again, admiring all the experienced showmen and their loyal steeds, who seemed to think this was just another Tuesday. She couldn't help but imagine herself and Snake performing out there. She knew he'd try for her, but she wasn't going to ask more from him than she herself could take. She then imagined one of the competitors being Lacey, and she smiled. She could absolutely see her out there with one of their horses having the time of her life. Maybe even taking home a blue ribbon or two.

Soon it was time for an arena drag and then they would set up the pole bending. Now more relaxed and confident, she went to retrieve her golden boy.

Two other people went before her. And then it was her turn. She waited patiently as the timer was reset, and whoever was holding the clipboard finished writing their times. Though with the way the pen was flying, they might as well have been writing dressage test notes. She became slightly impatient. Come on now, how long does it take to write a few numbers?

Finally, the judge nodded to someone, and she was cleared for takeoff. She kissed to Snake, who was already very excited, and off they went. They blazed to the last pole, kicking up plenty of sand as he found his momentum. With the slightest tap of the heel he turned on a dime, leaving nine cents change. They weaved through each pole set, not even teetering one as the giant agile stallion flew around the colorful poles. The heat of the sun has disappeared. The rocks no longer bothered their feet and Freja's heart no longer ached with the misery of loneliness. She came to the end pole once again, turning sharp again and sending him home. She kissed and kissed, keeping her hands steady and her feet quiet. Snake ran much faster without heels in his ribs. As they crossed the timer she couldn't hear her time being announced. Her blood roared in her ears and her horse breathed heavily beneath her. Perhaps that's all she needed, a good run on a good horse.

She knew her results would be given to her soon enough, but she had something more important to do than worry about scores and placings. Her horse was probably hot and thirsty from that sudden exertion of energy, and it was time for her athletic stallion to rest and refuel. He would have a long trailer ride back home to his stall, but until then he could enjoy the view of the Grand Canyon. She wasn't sure he'd ever get to see it again.

She loosened his cinch as she got off, hand walking him back to his hay net. He began munching away the moment he could reach it. She swiftly took off all his tack, then took the sweat scraper over him. Perhaps she was being a little dramatic about how sweaty he was, but better safe than sorry in new environments.

Soon she was packed up and ready to head off, just had to load her horse. But first, she had to go grab her results.