FOYS 2024 - Liberty Qualifier

Horse: AVS Countess of Cosmology
Handler: Nadya Ryder
Show: FOYs 2024 - Early Qualifier
Class Entering: Liberty
Music: The Score - Born For This
Additional Information: Story below

Story:
The stay at Seychelles had been amazing so far.  Everything about the home island of the Faimé breed had lived up to Nadya’s expectations. She was sure that Celestia recognized the salty air where she had grown up, and the mare looked completely excited to be back where her training had originally begun.  Their show jumping performance had gone beautifully, and even Zach commented that it was one of their best teamwork endeavors yet.

There was a break in the schedule, with a day between the showjumping competition and the liberty class they had entered.  Nadya used this time to love on Celestia, giving her a generous rub down and lots of grooming details to make sure the mare was still shining for her liberty class. Around mid-day, Nadya saddled the dark roan mare up and participated in a horseback guided-tour of the Royal Stables. As excited as she was to see every aspect of the island facilities, she thought Celestia would enjoy it equally as much – visiting familiar locales again.  They walked on cobblestone pathways, past regal castle buildings, and ventured out among the townsfolk, ending the tour with a beautiful walk along the pristine beachfront.

Afterwards, Nadya re-groomed Celestia, and then left the mare comfortably relaxing in her stall.  She decided to make the most of her afternoon by adventuring out to the nearby village.  She and Zach visited all the little tourist shops, buying gifts for the rest of the AVS crew back home.  They took their time, wandering stall to stall, and delighted in the local bites of food that the townsfolk had prepared.  At one particular tent, a lovely weathered woman was trimming many of the local girls’ hair.  The woman laughed as she told countless stories, regaling everyone with the history of the wild horses – the Faimé herds that roamed the island.

The woman looked at Nadya and Zach, and gestured for them to join and sit down on some makeshift chairs in the shade, as she continued speaking.  Her hands worked daftly as the scissors trimmed one child’s hair, fixing up the long ends into a straight line and shaping a frame around the girl’s face. Her aged-voice spoke of how the horses were left wild and free, living in unity with the locals.  Nadya was mesmerized by the stories, and had not even realized the woman had finished the haircut until she was gesturing Nadya into the chair.  Nadya hesitated, not sure she wanted to have her dark waves cut.  But the woman asked Nadya to trust her – looking into Nadya’s silver eyes knowingly.  It was as if she could ascertain the magic held within them, and understood Nadya’s very soul.

Nadya began to explain that maybe ‘just a trim’ would be fine, but the woman simply said “trust” and began running her fingers through the loose curls.  Her voice took on a soothing tone, and Nadya allowed herself to get lost in the stories of the horses – from the herds that ran along the beach to those that chose to live up on the volcanic mountain and seek shelter in the mysterious caves during the winter weather.  The sound of the scissors was a melody, complimenting the stories as the woman spoke.  And before Nadya realized it, the woman was done.  Her wrinkled hands held out a mirror for Nadya to grasp, and take in her new cut.  It was shorter than Nadya had expected, and yet somehow it seemed to fit her perfectly. The waves stopped somewhere between her chin and shoulders, still long enough that she could tie it back for horse-riding shows, and yet short enough that it complimented her silver eyes perfectly. She absolutely loved it, and thanked the woman with an energetic hug and generous tip.

Even Zach had to admit that the new look was quite striking on Nadya.  They finished touring the tents and stalls, and then headed back to the guest housing to put away all their gifts and trinkets.  They spent the rest of the evening watching some of the western performance classes and mingling with other Faimé owners.  Nadya finished the night by checking on Celestia one more time, making sure the mare had a bedtime snack, loads of kisses, and a fresh bucket of water.

The next morning came quickly, and Nadya was just beaming with enthusiasm.  She couldn’t wait for Celestia to show off in the liberty class. The mare was a natural performer, and always seemed to know when she was in front of an audience.  Nadya scarfed her breakfast quickly, then headed straight for the stables.  The seal bay roan mare nickered a morning greeting, as Nadya filled her hay net and refreshed her water.  And while the mare’s coat was already clean and shiny, Nadya went over every inch of her body one more time – making sure the mare glistened.

Their class was scheduled early in the morning and Nadya wanted to make sure they both looked their best.  Nadya had chosen to wear a silk blouse and coordinating skirt.  The outfit was covered with a dark dress jacket that tied neatly around her waist.  She pulled on some tights, and finished with her dress boots.  There was a chance some might think she was overdressed, but she had glimpsed the arena where the liberty class was to take place, and had noted the elegant ribbons and bouquets set between stone archways, and wanted to make sure that she looked as sophisticated as the setting they were to perform in.

She grabbed her show halter, and fastened it easily against the mare’s neck.  She led Celestia out to the walkway, looking her over for any last-minute touchups that could be needed.  Zach put a layer of Palanes Horsecare Hoof Oil on each of her hooves – to ensure they were perfectly shiny.  Then they headed towards the arena to wait their turn.

The steward announced their start, and Nadya led her mare into the arena.  Celestia pranced with each step; dancing alongside Nadya until they took their place in the center of the ring.  The judges nodded just as the music started, and Nadya reached up to release the halter.  Right on cue, Celestia bolted away, running around the arena with enough pizazz to earn whoops and hollers from onlookers in the stands.  She fluctuated back and forth, between a springy trot and a fun-loving run, as she fed off the energy of the crowd.  The music seemed to fuel her even further, and the Faimé danced to the delight of everyone – especially Nadya.  Her handler stood back against the far wall, where the stunning stonework provided a backdrop to the beautiful sculpted arches that were framed with foliage and flowers from the island.  Celestia pirouetted gracefully, moving like a queen as she captured the hearts of the audience…
(Word Count 1142)
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Why I thought it would be a good idea to practice painting architecture... well, I was wrong.  Very, very wrong.  This took deceptively much longer than the final result appears.  But at least I tried.
And now I'm feeling inspired to enter all outdoor (aka non-architecture) shows in the future... bring on those mountains and trees, LOL.

  
References:
Celestia Ref from Pony Mare - Dapple Grey
Nadya Ref from Deposit Stock
Iron Fence from Adobe Stock
Art/Characters © ReQuay