Problem in the Ring

Kei entered the ring at Beaumont and was glad to enter with Lockhart, who trotted in with his chin tight to his throat as he chewed on his bit, which tasted of the apple he had just received by Josephine before he entered the ring. They rode up to the middle of the arena, stopped and greeted the judges. Kei dragged her hand through the stallions mane as she collected the reins again, as the bell rang. They went from walk to canter, ready to take on the first jump.

Lockhart cantered on when then turned up to the first jump. It was a rather easy obstacle and nothing peculiar about it. Lockhart looked up and thundered on, leaping with Kei on his back with eagerness showing in his motion. He landed safely on the other side. They ran forward to the next jump, which also was a low jump. Kei showed Lockhart the way and he jumped.

They landed hard after the fourth jump, since this was the highest so far. Lockhart however kept running, ignoring the heavy thud he had created when landing. Kei knew that landing had cost them a second, so she looked to the next jump. If they went inside the plant, instead of around it, before the next jump, they would gain a second. She decided to take the chance.

Kei turned Lockhart into a narrow turn up to the next jump, number five, a fairly high jump. Lockhart ran quickly and leaped in the turn. He stretched himself over the jump when Kei felt how her left leg lost support. It was free from the stirrup! She glanced at it and couldn’t see what had happen, she still felt the stirrup around her foot. Lockhart landed on the other side and Kei had to control her balance so she didn’t fall over Lockhart’s neck and came thundering down on the dirt track. Safely behind, she turned her head and saw that the stirrup had broken. The leather piece that was attached to the saddle was hanging loose, dangling from the stirrup, which was around Kei’s foot. She wriggled her foot and the stirrup fell to the ground, left behind as they pressed on.

Could she do it?! Ride with only one stirrup throughout the rest of the ride?! She looked at the next jump, coming closer. Kei decided quickly. She kicked her other foot out of the stirrup which was still intact on the right side. Lockhart looked back at her with his eyes, but charged for the upcoming problem. Kei managed to keep his focus on the jump when he leaped over the wall. On the other side, the loose stirrup was hitting Lockhart in his side and he snorted irritated with his whites showing in his eyes. Kei leaned over and managed to get a hold of the stirrup and threw it over the saddle, where it wouldn’t bother Lockhart. They turned around another plant ornament, heading for the next jump. Would they make it?! Ride without stirrups throughout a whole track. The odds was against them.

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Entry

Horse: RD's Lockhart Van Gogh
Rider/ Handler: Kei Long
Breed: Swedish Warmblood
Gender: Stallion
Age: 17 years
Stable: Rosendal Stables
Show: Beaumont's Mountain Equestrian Trials
Starting number: 211
Placement: 3rd place

Extra Pictures


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Oh gosh. I know someone who will have hurting thighs later x'D
I really hope they get through this unharmed, it would kill me if a accident would occure.

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Tools & Info
Refference: Some Ref
Estimated time: About 3 hours,
Tools: Wacom bamboo tablet & Photoshop CS
Layers: About 35 layers
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