Fall Jumping [Edith - Show Jumping]

Edith’s ear flicked as the barn started to come alive with the hum of morning activity, tail swishing as she huffed out a breath and circled in her stall. She could hear the soft murmur of the others, horses huffing greetings to half-familiar neighbors and whinnying greeters to their riders as humans chatted to their Loshenka or fellow competitors.

A familiar hum had her turning, returning to the door of her stall and lowering her head over it as she whinnied a greeting to Alene. The woman smiled, reaching out to run a gentle hand down her face.

“Hey, sweet girl, ready to go this morning?”

Edith did her best to nod, even as she nudged her human’s hand to encourage more pets, earning a soft laugh as Alene stroked over her nose as she reached for the halter and lead rope on her hip.

“Okay, okay! Easy now, let me get this on.”

Edith stilled, ears twitching. The halter slipped over her head easily, settling with a comforting familiarity.

“There we go.” Alene clipped the lead rope to the halter and Edith snorted as she unlatched the stall door, hoof scraping with excitement as her ears continued to swivel and take in noises from the rest of the stable. A gentle tug and a click of her human’s tongue drew her full attention back to Alene, a fond smile playing over the woman’s lips.

Right, focus time.

Edith snorted her apology, following after her handler as she was led from the bustle of the stable and across the stretch to where their competition trailer was, standing patiently as she was tied and Alene ducked into the truck to draw out her brushes.

“Right, just something quick and then we’ll go get warmed up, alright?”

Edith whinnied her agreement, holding still as she was given a brief but thorough brush down, letting her attention wander. In the arena nearby, she could see the course they’d walked a few days prior, some riders currently moving through it either alone or with their horse. The entire farm was buzzing with conversation and excitement, from Loshenka, their handlers, and those that were merely here to watch the competition.

She knew there was a few different paddocks set up for warm ups and basic practice too, no doubt one of them their own destination.

The click of the trailer’s door made her ear flick, head turning to see Alene putting the brushes away and coming back with a saddle blanket and jumping saddle.

It wasn’t their usual one, Edith noted curiously. Rather than the usual mint green color, the bridle was a crisp orange, adorned with silver maple leaves that glinted in the light as Alene carefully moved to replace the halter with the bridle, the snaffle bit settling easily in Edith’s mouth as her tail swished.

The reins were quickly tied to replace the now-unattached lead rope, and the rest of the tack followed in a familiar, quick pattern.

The saddle blanket, a light orange with patterned leaves in various shades of red and yellow, was placed under the saddle, their usual sleek brown color, and the breastplate was quickly attached for extra security.

With those pieces in place, Alene returned to the trailer to grab what looked to be leg wraps that matched the blanket she’d chosen to use. Edith’s ear flicked, standing still as her lower legs were wrapped quickly before her rider rose and untied her.

“Looking good, aren’t you?”

Edith snorted her agreement, bowing her head to lip fondly at her rider, earning a laugh as she was walked away from the trailer.

As promised, their warm up was thorough but not too terribly long. The familiar exercises were certainly welcome, walking, trotting, and even cantering in circles and figure eights, followed by walking and trotting various sets of ground poles before they did a few low jumps and headed for the arena.

Edith’s ears pricked, watching as another Loshenka and rider duo took to the course.

“Patience, girl, it’ll be our turn soon enough.”

Edith’s tail swished, the two of them joining their fellow warmed up and waiting competitors, several of the riders talking amongst themselves as the horses stayed ready for what was to come.

The competition’s announcer thanked whoever had ridden for their performance, adding in their time and other details Edith didn’t bother with.

“Next up, Entrant 128, Alene Quinten and her horse KJS Snowy Mount Edith! Rider, take your place.”

Alene was gentle, as she always was, as she turned Edith, nudging her to move to the starting mark of the course.

Edith shifted her weight, ears pricking as she studied the jumps laid out before her. The course looked a little like a riot of colors to her, vibrantly colored but massively oversized leaves placed around the jumps, one with a tipped over basket of various foods that Edith could only guess wer fake, and even some plump birds that she’d heard called ‘turkeys’!

The sound to begin popped in her ears.

The mare started forward just as her rider nudged her, breaking into a gallop easily and letting her rider guide her with silent instructions, adjusting her stride…

Up and over the first jump.

Her hooves landed neatly, and she kept going.

There was the bird jump up next, a bit taller…

Adjust, and jump!

She couldn’t help the little whinny she let out as they landed safely on the other side, excitement rushing through her alongside adrenaline as she turned with Alene’s silent request.

The next jump was a simple oxer, decorated with leaves. Just stay focused…

They cleared it.

The course seemed to breeze by, and before she knew it her pace was being slowed to a trot, chest rising and falling with rapid breaths as Alene waved to the cheering crowd, their time being called out as they were thanked for their ride while they slipped out of the arena.

Edith smiled as her rider’s hand patted along her neck. “Great job, Edith!”

It had been pretty good, on both their parts, hadn’t it?