Suspicious Pair

As the Skeleton took his morning nap in his favorite spot, a comfortable hollow among the trees - which he picked after coming out of his grave on that fateful halloween night - which was now surrounded by mushrooms, autumn leaves swirled in the crisp breeze and suddenly the wind brought an odd leaf. A colorful and perfectly shaped leaf which landed perfectly on his face, waking him up. It was a stray pamphlet. 

The images on it were dazzling: beautiful horses with their riders dressed all fancy and ads for some tack brands and foods. The bold letters at the top read: "Whitehorse Farms October Shows!" The Skeleton didn’t need eyes to be impressed by the riders' gear, nor a heart to desire to participate and be like them. He imagined himself among the riders, looking just as stylish as them on his stunning steed. Determined, he jumped to his feet, clutching the pamphlet tightly as he rattled his way through the woods.

It didn’t take long to find Solimar, grazing near those two other horses he had seen playing with her several times before. As Solimar spotted her skeletal friend sprinting towards her, waving his bony arms, she lifted her head and let out a little neigh. The Skeleton crackled, tripped and skidded his way  to her, holding up the pamphlet above his head like it was a treasure. Solimar tilted her head, her soft eyes scanning the paper as if she was able to read and understand it.

But they didn’t need those random letters nor a single exchange of words. She understood immediately. Her friend needed her help and company and that's all it needs to count her in!

Now riding Solimar, they followed the little map on the pamphlet and set out towards Whitehorse Farm. It didn’t take long but by the time they arrived, the festival was at full swing. Stalls selling food, trinkets, and horse gear as laughter and music filled the air. Riders in polished boots and glittering helmets guided their sleek horses towards the competition grounds. The Skeleton’s eyes would be shining, if he still had them that is.

But well, there was a HUGE problem: how could the undead enter a human competition? Solimar and her bony companion hid near the trees at the edge of the festival grounds to try and come up with a plan. They tought and tought. tThe Skeleton tipped his finger on his jaw trying to come up with a plan in his non-existent brain. And *bling!* the dead man lifted a finger in the air.

Now he just had to execute his (self-claimed) pefect plan!

The Skeleton borrowed an oversized trench coat he found on a nearby cheir and a hat from a nearby donation bin. Solimar tilted her head as he wore his disguise. The final touch? A pair of round sunglasses, which he managed to hold on his flat face by pure will.

While he was dressing up, a gentle drizzle covered Whitehorse Farms, not near enough to halt the competitions, but enough to ruin the event manager’s glasses, obscuring her view. When Solimar trotted up to the registration booth with her “rider”, the manager gave them a fleeting glance.

“Name?”

The Skeleton’s jaw wobbled in an attempt to respond. Not a single sound came out. Still, the manager, too tired of writing names all day, and even more so now that she has seen this suspicious rider, scribbled something illegible and waved them on. They don't look like a pair of troublemakers so is easier to let them in than to deal with whatever it is they're up to.

And so, they’re in!

After a few horses finished their rides, it was the Skeleton and Solimar’s time to shine! The bell rang, and they were off! Solimar surged forward and as soon as they reached the forest line, off went the disguise with the wind. They galloped, clearing logs, fences and water obstacles with ease.

But at some point they somehow ended up at their usual forest at their own ranch…? Well, they went off course. Way off course. But they didn’t know that. They’re just a horse and a skeleton, neither know how competitions actually work. They don’t even know there’s a finish line and winners and all that stuff. All they know is that they took part in it (although barely) and had their fun!