Halter Class, Elysian and Benjamin

POV : Benjamin Allen Davis                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Horse : WG Elysian Fields

I pecked Angela’s cheek. “I love you.” I whispered. 

“Love you too, now go, if you don’t leave now Elysian will be disqualified.” Angela’s eyes full of worry. 

“Fine, fine.” I said, throwing my hands up in defeat, and grabbing Elysian’s rope halter. We had just arrived at Fjellhov Stud a few hours prior and although Elysian probably needed some time to rest, we were scheduled for the halter class. I spent most of the morning stretching out Elysian and making sure she was all tidy, while Angela got our cabin set up. 

I have to be honest, this was not how I was planning on arriving at Fjellhov Stud. I thought we’d arrive at least two days earlier, with enough time to prepare for all of the classes. That clearly didn’t end up happening. Our plane got delayed, not to mention all the drama trying to get Elysian herself over here. Airport customs didn’t seem to think she was my horse, even though I had the papers for her on hand. 

Long story short, here we are, but two days later than we expected to be and the rush to get Elysian ready for her halter class is real. Elysian is scheduled to be the third horse to compete, which is just great.  

Elysian nickered as I walked her to the path, admiring the scenery as we went. The grass blades were still covered with early morning dew. The air smelled a hell of a lot cleaner out here with nothing but Fjellhov Stud for miles. The soft morning sun warmed the cool air, and even though there was some bustling around, it was quite calm. I had heard whispers that the famous Lady Godiva would be showing in the halter class today, and thankfully my schedule is mostly clear. I’m really looking forward to seeing her, maybe even talking to her owner if they aren’t too busy. There are also rumours going around that Godiva is in the best shape she’s ever been in. I don’t expect to place, let alone beat Lady Godiva, but she’s got to be a strong competitor and a tough one to beat. 

“Whispering Grove’s Elysian Fields is next to come through, handled by Benjamin Allen Davis.” The announcer announced, the microphone picking up some feedback and making a squeal. Most of the horses shied away, but Elysian stood by my side as I quickly dusted myself off. I hadn’t done much to prepare myself, just took a shower, threw on a nice suit which had gotten wrinkled in transit, but Angela thankfully was kind enough to iron it out, sprayed some cologne, and put on my best shoes. 

I sighed as we stepped onto the stone path that curved through the garden, Elysian’s shod hooves clicking against the hard flooring. We started at a walk, I tried to act my most professional. This was way out of my league. My daily life consisted of riding Elysian, caring for Zale and working with him, and teaching my students. This whole thing felt very different. I rarely dressed up, and why, well because I’m at the barn day in and day out, so it doesn’t make much sense. I don’t know, I mostly teach kids how to ride, I don’t normally attend prestigious events like this, not to mention with my horse. 

Elysian bowed her head softly towards me as we walked. “Easy girl.” I whispered, softly petting her face. I took a deep breath in as I looked at my surroundings. The garden wall towered high, but not high enough you couldn’t see over it. Spruce trees lined the outside, bringing in the fresh smell of a forest. They seemed to be dripping with moisture, and blotches of snow were still left over, fading with the sun’s brilliant heat.

The garden mostly consisted of a flower that looked like lavender. I never really paid attention to flowers, that was Angela’s thing and I’m sure she’d have my head for not knowing what it was. Maybe that would be something to ask her. 

The other flowers were mostly purple, but there were a few pinks littered in the garden. It was beautiful, even as a cold wind blew. I shivered as I kept walking. Should have worn something warmer. Littered around the garden, smaller bushes grew and a few small trees rose, most of them barely being any taller than the retaining wall that signified the end of the garden, and the start of the wild forest. 

I didn’t know much about the actual history of Fjellhov Stud. All I knew was that it was the breed's official registry, and they’ve raised or at least held a lot of the horses here.

Elysian nickered as we moved into a trot, coming out of the tame forest garden and only having the garden on our left side. The right side was an empty lot of grass with a few photographers standing around, most likely due to the fact that it's still early in the day, and a few bystanders engaged in early morning conversation, most of them holding a cup of coffee. I heard more than one camera click, which either was a good or a bad thing. 

The famous white gazebo stood on my right, quite a bit away. Elysian’s shod hooves made more than one person turn around from their conversation and stare. This is what I had signed up for, whether I liked it or not, Elysian deserved her recognition. 

I heard a few whispers as we moved into a canter at the designated point. Did I like running? Not particularly, but hey I was here now and running on the stone path. 

Panting, we came to a stop right in front of the gazebo. Three judges sat inside, and two of them stood outside, walking up to me as they inspected Elysian. This was another reason I didn’t bring Zale. He would have bit them by now, as they ran their hands up and down Elysian’s legs, neck, and face, giving her a few pats, and looking her over. Suddenly I felt subconscious about how I had braided her tail. It wasn’t my best at all, but I only had a few hours to get her a hundred percent ready. The braids were larger, at least twelve on each side. My hands still ached from all that braiding. 

“You’re good to go, the results will be posted at the end of the three days.” One of the judges said matter of factly, patting Elysian’s shoulder, and leaving no emotion for me to try to figure out how our performance was. 

Without another word I walked Elysian off the stone path, breathing a sigh of relief. Maybe I’m just going crazy but I think they really liked her. 

I gave Elysian a pat as I walked her back to the main stable. Sadly the cabins didn’t have horse accommodation, and all horses were expected to be kept in the main stable. Although I understood the reasons for this, it still made me a little sad to be so far from my little baby. I saw Angela coming up to me. 

“BJ, you guys did so well!” She cheered. I couldn’t help but smile. How did I get so lucky? “I heard they have some cinnamon rolls for breakfast.” She smirked. 

“My favorite.” I chuckled, “I’ll be there.” I smiled, walking to the main barn not expecting her to follow.

“Who said I was going to leave my husband?” She asked, jogging to catch up. I chuckled. She was perfect. My eyes widened as I realized what she had said.

“Your husband?” I mused, watching her with a suspicious but happy face. 

She chuckled but didn’t say anything more. Maybe it was time to propose soon. I felt the box in the inside of my coat jacket, stabbing its sharp corner into me. It was now or never. 

I’d been thinking of proposing to her for a long time, we’d been together for over three years but I don’t know why I never did. Every time I saw my father, he’d always tell me to put a ring on her finger. He knew how much I loved her and he’d always say that she was the one for me. I never listened. Until now.

I stopped Elysian, and got down on one knee.

“Angela, will you marry me?” I asked, pulling out the box. I saw probably hundreds of emotions run through her face at once. The one that stuck? Happiness. 

“Yes!” She cried jumping up and down. She didn’t even go for the ring, she went straight to me, embracing me in a tight hug. 

Nothing else mattered, nothing else existed. Just her. And of course me, otherwise I wouldn’t be telling the story of it. 

“Let’s put the ring on your finger.” I smiled pulling away. She smiled, but shook her head.

“Just let me hug you.” She caught me in another embrace, her tears of happiness soaking into my suit. I heard clapping from behind me.

Best day of my life.

Elysian neighed as she stomped her hoof. Impatient little bitch. I chuckled at that thought. 

It was a very filled walk to the barn as me and Angela started talking about the wedding. She was over the moon as she tried to have me decide on a big or a small wedding. Honestly, as long as she was happy, I didn’t care. 

Elysian seemed to protest when Angela was talking about no horses. 

Angela and I both worked closely with horses and we each had our own. She brought Pluto for the event, and airport customs believed her when she said he was hers, but didn’t believe me when I said Elysian was mine.  

It was one of the best days ever.