About Those Obstacles

Cass stood near First Class as the classic champagne roan razed lazily next to her. It was a lovely fall day and Applewood’s trees were certainly starting to show off with their changing leaves and crisp autumn breezes. The demonkin had an odd soft spot for fall weather, though she preferred the winter most years. First Class was certainly enjoying himself as he crunched at and occasionally pawed at the slowly falling leaves to get at the still green grass below. 

They’d had plenty of time after the archery contest to take a break and stretch, do some light walking to cool off. Now they were just waiting their turn at the obstacle course. This was usually Cass’s favorite part of the competition, and First Class was a good horse on any ride. Mostly they did cross country and occasionally working equestrian, so this was likely to be a familiar run for them. 

First Class bumped against Cass, nibbling at her pocket. 

“Really?” Cass scratched at the white marking on his forehead before pulling a sugar cube from her pocket and handing it to him. He used to prefer carrots, but he’d been picking up bad habits from another of her horses it seemed. 

“We’re almost ready for you two.” A young woman Cass recognized as a member of Applewood’s staff called over with a cheerful wave. 

Cass nodded her acknowledgement and picked up First Class’s reins. She’d been just letting them hang as there hadn’t been any point keeping a hand on him while he was grazing. She used the nearby fence rail like a mounting block and settled into his saddle. 

The pair followed the staff member to the start of the course, First Class perking up as soon as he saw the gate, his ears up and his long tale swishing as his hazel eyes waited for the first sign he could race onto the course. 

He didn’t have to wait long. The gate opened and the announcer signaled the start of the run. Then they were off. 

The first set of hay bales were an easy over, started and done with little to no effort by either in the pair. The scarecrows and spooky figures were more cute than scary in Cass’s opinion. And apparently First Class felt the same way as he decided to steal a hat from one of them in passing. 

Cass laughed at his antics and then nudged him to go faster around the giant pumpkin barrels. He was a solid show at barrel racing and she saw no reason not to show off a little. He took the turns fast and sharp, his feet steady in the sand and leaves of the arena. 

The next turn was a series of jumps. Some of them were a little challenging from a spacing standpoint, and the decorations around the obstacles would have probably spooked some of the horses. Not First Class though. He took the jumps with ease and speed, barely batting an eye at the ghostly or ghastly figures around him. 

The water jump, with the floating apples barely broke his stride as he sailed over it. Landing on the other side and tearing towards the next task with abandon. 

Cass laughed, enjoying the ride. First Class knew his job well enough that he’d required very little direction from her. While she was his partner on this race, her job was mostly just to set him up for success on things when they got tricky and otherwise to let him handle his work. There were other horses who would require more direction, but not him. 

The next part was one where she had more to do, and it was a favorite activity of hers. She was and had always been one for a spear or lance when on horseback, and so as she snagged the spear to catch the rings, she urged First Class faster. She wanted a good challenge. 

Most of the rings weren’t too hard, even at a good pace, but a few of them made her reach for it. One even had her dropping the reins and leaning partially over to the side to snag it. She wasn’t actually sure if it was part of the course or one that fell and got caught on a haybale, but it was fun to get anyway. 

The tight turnaround was probably First Class’s least favorite, and Cass’s too in this case, as it forced them to slow down. She’d been enjoying the speed and had already decided to take First Class out on the trail the next day for a good run. She figured they’d both enjoy it. 

After they’d made it out of the turnaround, First Class almost immediately picked up speed again with little urging from Cass. The stallion took the last of the course at a rapid speed, his white front legs and darker hind ones eating up the ground as he cleared the jumps without hesitation. 

As they crossed the finish line, Cass couldn’t help but laugh as First Class claimed yet another piece of attire from one of the scarecrows they’d passed. This time though the stallion flung it up in the air and caught it as if playing catch. 

Cass dismounted and went to go put it back but First Class seemed to have other ideas, turning his head so it was just out of her reach. 

“You cannot steal the hat.” Cass shook her head, reaching for it yet again. “I will get you your own later.” 

This didn’t seem to satisfy the stallion, who seemed rather determined to play keepaway with her, once again tossing the hat up. 

This time Cass was quick enough to catch it, though before First Class could protest too much she offered him an apple slice as compensation. First Class side-eyed her as he munched on the apple, and as soon as he was finished tried to snag the hat again.

Cass could hear the crowd’s amusement as she managed to keep the hat out of his range and get it back on the scarecrow before getting First Class away from it. 

She gave them a small bow of acknowledgement as she passed First Class another apple from her stash and took note of his fascination with the hat. It seemed he’d decided on his costume for the costume contest, which could be a whole other obstacle. 

“Oh well. At least you’ll look good in the hat.” Cass chuckled as she led him back towards the stables.