Percy's First Show

Percy looked out the window, watching all of the scenery whizz by. He wasn’t exactly sure where he was going, but he wasn’t happy about it. The stallion was just itching to go back to the barn and into his warm stall. Percy reached for his hay again, it was too cold to be doing anything today. He felt the car slowly stop. He looked outside again, wondering where this blasted girl had taken him. There was a large building surrounded by another much shorter but longer building. Hesitantly, he stuck his head out, huffing at the cold. Percy could see a sign that was originally out of view. “Sacabi Stables” This was going to be interesting.

He snorted in annoyance as he and his barn mate, Saturn, were lead out of their warm trailer. The young stallion stared around in awe, causing Percy to roll his eyes. How could he be happy in THIS weather? “What’s wrong bud?” Alice asked her grump of a horse. Percy just glared at her, she knew why he was being a butt. “Okay okay! Relax we’re about to enter the stables, it will be warmer in there,” Alice laughed, leading him to a large pair of doors.

Percy banged his head on the wall again, wishing all of the chattering would just stop. “Uh… Percy?” A familiar voice called out. He sighed and looked at the young stallion. “What,” He growled in annoyance, his headache wasn’t getting any better. “Are you ok? You keep banging your head against the wall,” Saturnasked, sticking his snout through the iron bars. “I would be if everyone would just shut up,” Percy grumbled. “Get your snout out of my stall before a bite it off,” Saturn flinched back, giving the older stallion a fearful look. “I was gonna ask if you wanted the saltlick Mark gave me, but you don’t seem to be in the mood,” He chuckled nervously, turning to his hay net before Percy called him back. “If I can have the saltlick you can play with the jolly ball for 6 months,” He offered, getting a vigorous nod from him.

“Where in the world did you get a saltlick?” Alice asked, chuckling as she slipped a halter of Percy’s head. “Saturn’s missing his, he probably gave it to him or something” Mark suggested, a confused look on his face. “Maybe, come on boy, our class is going to start in 30 minutes.” She stressed, practically dragging Percy with her. What in the world was a class? Were we having a lesson?

Alice swiftly brushed him down, making sure that his coat was nice and shiny. She then moved onto his tail, brushing out as many knots she could. ”How are we going to do your mane?” She asked, looking down her phone. “Bingo!” She propped her phone up against a curry comb, following whatever tutorial was playing on it.

“You look so handsome bud! You’re gonna rock the show ring.” Alice stepped back and smiled. Percy’s mane had been braided into buttons. She threw on her helmet and lead Percy out of the wash stall.

Percy landed into the canter over the jump, feeling all eyes on him. Percy had already heard multiple people and horses comment on his impressive coat. It wasn’t that he didn’t like the attention, he just wasn’t used to so much of it. The more the pair moved about the arena, the more Alice started to get nervous. Percy couldn’t tell why. Yeah, there are a lot of people and horses there, but both of them should be used to it. After all, SE was huge and housed a lot of animals. A voice came through the speakers, asking everyone to leave the arena so they could set up. What did they have to set up?

“Sunset In The Mountains and Alice Harvy, please come to the starting gate. I repeat Sunset In The Mountains and Alice Harvy, please come to the starting gate,” a male voice said over the speakers. Alice urged him forward, taking deep breaths as they neared the gate.

They walked into the ring, Alice’s eyes darted around as she showed each jump to Percy. He stared at the odd jumps, wondering why they were so colorful. Alice pilled him back towards the front of the arena, preparing for a large courtesy circle.

Percy cleared the first jump, turning and clearing the next. Everything was going smoothly until Percy saw a little girl rush up to the arena fence, spooking the stallion. He moved to the side, causing him to jump over the next set of poles in an awkward way. Percy felt his back hooves hit a pole. He heard it hit the ground as he turned towards another jump. He managed to clear it, his focus slowly building back up.

The pair exited the arena, both somewhat covered in sweat. Alice dismounted him, patting his neck. “You did amazing, now let’s get you cleaned up.” They walked down the hallway and back to the stables. Percy definitely was going to enjoy a nice bath for once.