[Obstacle] They Survived

As the afternoon settled in and the temperatures cooled significantly, Marrow began to perk up. Returning to his usual self, the mischief coming alive within him. Tail swishing lazily, pulling at the orange ribbons in the tidy plaits. One after the next, they come unwoven, scattered around the floor of his stall. Rather pleased with himself, the looming dark stud hung his head through his open window. Looking down to Sabela as she napped in her camping chair, lipping at her shoulder. The closest thing he can reach, before loudly breathing on the girl's face. It's time to be up, it's time to do the next things.

Four minutes before her alarm, Sabela is woken up by Marrow's shenanigans. Grumbling, reaching up to gently bat him away. "Okay, okay, chill." Their time slot for the obstacle class was coming up, sure, but they had time. "Really, you had to go for your tail?" She sighs heavily, entering Marrow's stall to redo the plaits and make sure he looks at least somewhat presentable for the ring. "Just because these are fun classes doesn't mean you can look like a ragamuffin, you know." Still, there's fondness in her voice as she begins to work through the new knots in his long tail. The stallion would stand relatively quietly, for now. Only reaching to rummage through Sabela's jacket pocket at the very end, growing terse with a stomp of his hoof when he finds it empty.

Preparing for obstacle isn't nearly as nerve racking as the morning's archery class had been. Brushing away the fine layer of dirt that had settled on Marrow's coat, watching as he clears to a grim sheen. Cute. Fitting for Halloween, and also cute. Sabela is pleased with herself, pleased with the outcome. Festive black and orange saddle pad placed carefully over his shoulders, trail saddle perched atop it, he's really a striking picture. Even if the saddle was borrowed and maybe more understated than some of the others they would see out, everything is in good condition. Hell, her horse is too. Sabela herself bundles up, feeling the afternoon chill settling in the barn. A thick leather jacket to accompany flannel lined jeans, it's good enough.

Heading out into the brisk autumn afternoon, the outdoor ring has been transformed. All manner of festive obstacles laid before them, and Sabela has time to think as she swings up onto Marrow's back. He doesn't balk, doesn't flinch. Instead, his walk picks up. Eager to get going, eager to get working-- at least he has that going for him. Still, there's plenty to consider as they make their way into the warmup ring. Moving from a walk to a trot, she finds herself posting as she thinks. Each beat, moving easily in the saddle. Right, they had to do this tactically. As long as she stayed focused, Marrow should too.

When their number is called, Sabela is quick to get Marrow through the gate. His ears flicker for a moment as he takes in the full spread, especially as a rogue breeze ruffles the decorations on each obstacle. A bit of ribbon comes loose from a wreath, blowing around Marrow's feet before being carried off by the wind. Though he takes a large sidestep, the stallion doesn't react further. Okay, one unofficial obstacle down, only... all of the official ones to go.

The first, a spooky arch with strips of tarp and faux spiderweb, is something they'd practiced before. Sabela could be grateful for that much, carefully guiding the stallion beneath it. Taking it at the walk, his head low and ears forward. What Marrow wasn't a huge fan of? The feeling of tarp and web at his haunches. The boy gave an almighty wave of his long tail, knocking it into the PVC pipe framing. Though it makes a great deal of noise, he doesn't seem shaken-- no, only annoyed. Kicking back at it, freeing his tail from the tangle, it's only the stallion being snarky. Sabela's expression is apologetic as she looks to the ring stewards, who would need to reset the obstacle before the next contender. At least he hadn't knocked any of the orange fairy lights loose, right?

A small jump was next. Sabela's stomach tightened for a moment. This was far outside their wheelhouse, hell, had Marrow ever been jumped before? Certainly not since she'd gotten him. Nothing more than jumping small creeks around the property back at the ranch, but at least it wasn't high. The scarecrows watching from each jump block watch with a mocking gaze, though Sabela couldn't let the worry travel from herself to her horse. Marrow would do what he was asked, approaching at a jog... but taking a large step over the jump instead of truly hopping over. Well, as long as he hadn't freaked out, Sabela supposed it would be fine. All of her is sheepish. Had this been the right choice?

The next obstacle is one that she would have thought it too cold for. A large box, lined with a tarp and filled with water. Inside, apples bobbed lazily. She chewed the inside of her cheek as she slowed Marrow to a walk, watching as they drew near. Marrow's love for snacks couldn't be challenged here. Reaching down, he plucks one from the small pool triumphantly, chewing it as he continues on. Splashing easily through the pool... okay. Sabela let go of a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. That was good enough, right?

Their final obstacle would be the toughest yet. Something Sabela is more than aware that Marrow struggled with, a series of different ground textures in quick succession. They wove through a maze of straw bales, all of them decorated with festive carved pumpkins and wreathes, as well as baskets and baubles. Crossing the sheet of metal wasn't too bad, though Marrow's ears pitched backwards at the quick transition. Wooden planks beneath his hooves next, and stepping up slightly to meet it. He snorted, tried to balk as he reached the next portion-- wet ground. It's enough to gross him out, or maybe pass as an irritation. Stepping up, boards over tractor tires, the give beneath his hooves enough to bring out a bit of panic. Crow hopping a step forward, Sabela's hand on his shoulder is enough to begin to steady the stallion.

Making it to the end is a true relief, and Sabela was grateful for it. Finally breathing a true sigh of relief, they leave the arena gracefully, with their heads held high. They'd done it, and it hadn't gone half badly.