2nd day (Tim Malark & Caprico)

[Maggie]

Weather: Snow has stopped for now, their are some slippery spots on the field so watch out!

Indoor/outdoor: Outdoors

Limit: You have two days to complete your post, if you do not make the limit you will be disqualified from the event.

Course: Cross country, You may make up jumps to your horses stamina and level. Detail counts!

Tips: Throw in some tuff jumps, don't god mod! Judges will look for how well horse and rider compete and their over all time. You may come up with decent time, you don't have to.

[ThePhantomStallion]

[[Eh, I'll do more than the course this time around :] ]]

The fire crackled and popped within the hearth, sending showers of sparks skyward up the chimney. It was really inviting just to stay inside today, to sink into the depths of the soft leather recliner, to drink coffee and stay by the fire. Outside snow fell heavily, highlighted by the floodlights on the side of the house. The porch and patio were blanketed in the stuff, and the pool was warm under a thick winter cover though the recent precipitation had hidden it from view completely.

Forcing himself away from the window, Tim set his hot mug down, flexing his sore fingers. They were red around the joint area, and somewhat swollen, but there was no backing out after such a spectacular dressage day. He shuffled across the long shag carpet towards his bedroom, running his fingers longingly over the back of his favorite chair. Turning away, he grumbled into his closet, flicking the switch for the closet light. The ocean-eyed boy took his clothes from a hanger, and laid them out on the bed, regarding the various worn holes with contempt.

Shrugging, he pulled on layers of undergarments, knowing today would be exceptionally frigid. Finally, after wrestling with his pants, he was dressed, and walked stiffly to the door, snagging his car keys off the table.

Once he loaded Capricio and packed his show equipment, he was off to the show grounds, cursing under his breath at the blinding snow. The cold leaked through the top of the window, which had so conveniently gotten frozen down a bit. His hands began to shake, same as always, and he knew that today was going to be living hell. But winning isn't everything is it? It's the only thing. He needed money to support his triad of boys.

It wasn't long before he was tacked, frustrating himself with the buckled with numb and barely dexterous fingers. The gelding was clipped short and still he stood still and alert in the deep snow. Tim mounted, poking at the twisted stirrup with a frozen toe, trying to right it without having to bend down. He finally was ready, in the startbox, and he felt the bay thoroughbred beneath him tense at the sound of the tone.

They were off. Tim was right - this was a living hell. Snow swirled around them, stinging his eyes, his cheeks, his chin. His ears were barely warm from his long hair, and his fingers, though through two pairs of gloves, were frozen and numb. It was hard to see more than ten yards ahead, but Captain was intensely focused, big black eyes boring into the blizzard ahead. He galloped with ease through the deepening snow, but he surely wasted a lot of energy doing it.

Why won't they just postpone it a day more...call the riders off...? he thought, catching another snowflake in his eye. Ice from the mud is under this thick snow, I can barely see...bloody hell... he continued, losing his depth.

The first jump was thoroughly covered in snow, either side splashed with muddy slush from the base which was plowed up from previous horses. It was simple - a massive flowerbox about 4 feet wide and somewhere above 3'9" in height. Capricio charged it and kicked out over it, completing the first with style. They had to ascend a hill, next, and upon cresting it, a jump, high, though not wide, waited for them. Capricio was as startled as his rider and launched from the base, studded shoes barely catching on the slippery mixture of ice and water. The trees were coated in snow, as were the flags and tape, and it was difficult going.

The next jump, a pair of logs suspended over a ditch with water in it, was frozen over completely, long ice beads hanging from the wooden structure and they water below but a giant crystal. Capricio flicked in ears back in hesitation. Though he would give it all, he didn't dare risk a fall for him and his master if it could be avoided. The slush gave under his hooves and he stumbled a bit, but he plowed ahead, heading for the treacherous jump.

NOT FINISHED