Time For a Show Down -Chloe-

[tox]

The blue dodge pickup was washed over with a feather dusting of creamy sand. It ws evident the vehicle had seen its fair share of mud, rain, gravel, dirt, and hail. It's tires were the only thing new about it. The tread had worn off so bad that KC Dane had finally purchased a new set. It was kind of sad, to miss the weathered old things, but she did. The truck was obviously a handy thing, though. It happily tugged behind it a glaring white trailer. It was an odd difference. The messy, unkept truck compared to the lovely, glowing trailer.

The two horse trailer was a hitch-up, KC never found a gooseneck for less than three, so a two horse hitch it was. The trailer was a Sundowner, pinted on each side was an intricately painted design. It was black, all of it, and it very much resembled -big surprise- a sun. Inside the sun was a set of three galloping horses, only visible because of the glittery silver that outlined them. Now approaching the stable entrance, the duo of truck and horse box slowed to an easy pace, and crawled along the rock-lined dirt road which lead to the grounds.

Inside the trailer was the real beauty. His red-gold ears flickered back and forth, attempting to detect any evident threat, anxiously. A nervous whinny echoed from the young stallion, drawing eyes to the trailer. He stared through a barred window, about a foot high and wide. The only thing visible was his shining white blaze, which decorated his handsome face. The truck eased to a stop, trailer in hot pursuit. The girl climbed from the truck, her eyes glittering with unfallen tears. The ramp was unlatched, and lowered, the door opened and hooked so no gusts of wind could slam it closed and frighten the stallion.

KC stepped into the clean trailer and the stud twisted his head around, pulling the rope which kept him in place taunt. He whickered frantically, body vibrating with the sound. KC murmured soothing words, stroking him as she came to his head. She tugged the stud chain in place, making sure it was on securly and properly, before unhooking him. The stallion backed out with such large steps, it appeared he cantered out backwards. Once free of the confined space, the horse through up his head. KC's hold was light on the cotton lead rope, which was hooked on the stud chain, which was around his black leather halter. A silver nameplate glistened with his show name "Show Down" engraved into it. Gunner tossed his torso into the air, rearing to full height, towering above many at 17.2 hands, and still growing, before landing. He danced at the end of the white cotton lead.

KC had chosen the Round Pen for more than one reason. One, it was close to the barn, so they were in plain sight for when Gunner's new owner appeared, and two, the horse needed to move, and the round pen was the perfect place for him to work out his kinks from the trip.

People began to stop and stare at the chestnut stallion. His stockinged legs moved with precision and loft, lifted high as he passaged it in a tight circle, or piaffed in place, eyes wide, nostrils flaring. It was hard to believe Gunner had been abandoned as a colt, what with his immaculate beauty, he was downright made for the show ring. KC led him, pausing every once in a while to let the colt spazz, then trot beside her as she led him to the pen. Thank the Lord for such high fences. KC released the colt, hanging the lead line on the fence, awaiting his new owner, Anya. Gunner immediately shot off like he'd been bitten by a bullet. He galloped wildly, head down, lips brushing the sandy ground, , shoulders hunched as he bucked repeatedly. Finally he settled into a lofty working trot. The four year old moved with a classic handle on things. His knees snapped up, making him appear to be floating. Then he slowed to a halt in the middle of the ring, body gleaming in the sun. What would he do now? Then his ears pricked. He wanted to jump!

[Anya DeBouc]

Lovely conformation...

Anya pulled her silver Mercedes back into the property of Shady Lane for the second time that week. Once again, Kayla had informed her of a horse for sale and, being the person she was, Anya couldn’t refuse looking at him. Kayla had been her friend for years and it was kind of her to have offered Anya the opportunity to look at a horse. Besides, if Kayla like this stallion then he must be worth something.

His name was Show Down and he was a young chestnut stallion with a fiery personality. Intrigued by the wildness of this horse, Anya wondered what he would be like in person. She had been told that he was beautiful and had a lovely conformation built for the show ring. Hopefully this would be true because for almost a year Anya had been riding other peoples horses and acting almost as a hired rider by those she knew in the States. It was fun to compete for others but she missed having her own horse to come to every once in awhile.

Pulling into the same parking space she had used once before, Anya parked her car and turned off the ignition. Then, putting the keys in the pocket of her breeches, she turned to her passenger seat and scooped up the small bag of peppermint horse treats. Sticking three of those in her pocket as well, Anya opened the door and stepped out of the car. Locking it, she looked around.

There was a horse nearby in a round pen with a woman nearby so Anya assumed she might know where to find this other lady. ‘KC’ she thought it was. Taking a small breath, Anya walked over and thought over what she would say. Reaching the other girl, she smiled shyly and tapped her on the shoulder.

“Hi, I’m Anya LeBouc,” she said softly. “Um, might you know where KC and…Show Down are?”

but where is Show Down?

[tox]

The big stallion tossed his head up and half reared. He broke into a steady trot around the arena. His stride was ground-covering, flowing effortlessly, as if he were made for flying. His neck dropped topped toward the ground, sniffing at the dust as he traveled in a lopsided circle, making no attempt to hug the rail. Then he came to an abrupt halt, snorted noisly in surprise. Dirt had billowed into his air passages, and he shook his head, blowing out what he could of the nasty particles. He lifted his head, wide eyes taking in the new surroundings. Sensing no threats, the young horse let his tense muscles fall for the most part. He still studied the area around him, the breeze, the waving grass, the crisp autumn air. People milled around, leading high strung and easy going horses alike. He gave a low whicker, with about two replying neighs. All the rest either looked his way, or ignored the newcomer completely.

KC and the chestnut had never really bonded like KC had wanted, and she had her lovely gray gelding Corocotta already, for more than just financial reasons, she'd decided to sell them both. She was not looking forward to sell her dappled star, and she wasn't exactly marketing yet. But with the money accumulated from selling Gunner alone, she could purchase another horse. And if she sold Corey, then she'd be set. She sighed and looked over at the handsome chestnut. He bobbed his head ears forward, very interested in what KC was doing, looking at him over her shoulder.

KC's eyes flipped back forward. She hadn't seen a car roll up, so she assumed the girl had parked in the back. Was this the Anya looking at her talented stallion? Gunner had seen the female too, and eagerly walked to the gate with a joyful nicker, thick forelock splayed like a golden-red veil over one of his inquisitive eyes. His tail, which mimicked the color of both his mane and forelock, flicked absent-mindedly at his flanks, chasing away those unruly pests.

KC had only glanced back at the approaching stallion when she felt a tap on her shoulder. Her attention immediately moved to the young blond haired woman. Gunner looked disappointed that the focus was not on him. In response to this, he poked his muzzle through the bars of the gate, and lipped at KC's back, catching her shirt between his teeth. "Hey!" KC laughed, spinning, and batting Gunner's muzzle back gently. She turned back to the woman-Anya?- and smiled. "I'm KC, and this is Show Down. We call him Gunner." She nodded to the chestnut who had arched his neck over gate, standing his easy 17.2 hands. "It's very nice to meet you, Ms. LeBouc."

Gunner's ears immediately stood on end. He could smell them! Peppermints! Or peppermint flavored, that was. They were his absolute favorite! The stallion stretched as far as he could toward Anya, practically begging. His muzzle shoved toward her pocket, yet she was too far away. He snorted, pulled his head back over the gate and backed up several steps. He shook his head, arching his powerful neck and striking the ground impatiently. KC smiled apologetically. "Atleast see him under saddle before saying no." She laughed weakly. "He's a got a bit of a personality on him." She exaggerated the words 'a bit'.

[Anya DeBouc]

Peppermint love...

Anya smiled as the horse seemed to tease and ask for attention from the woman in front of him. An attention hog; that was a lovely trait in a stallion she thought laughing softly to herself. Bringing up a hand to cover her mouth and afraid of having been rude, Anya cleared her throat and smiled apologetically at the lady. KC seemed like a wonderful person; someone Anya could easily see herself becoming friends with but shyness was always a hard thing to overcome for the blonde.

Anya nodded politely as KC introduced herself. She wanted to tell the woman to call her Anya but the blonde bit her tongue and only nodded. “It’s nice to meet you too.” She replied softly. Kicking herself mentally, Anya resisted the urge to frown. Sometimes it was irritating to not have the courage to confront others and greet them normally. It was childish, she new but being shy was one of Anya’s main personality traits so she couldn’t really help it.

So this was Show Down – er Gunner? She thought now frowning. Gunner was such a….rough barn name and it didn’t please Anya at all. But this wasn’t her horse so she couldn’t comment. Suddenly, the stallion started to advance towards her and crane his neck to Anya. Eyes wide at the absurd image, Anya couldn’t help but laugh but quickly brought a hand up to her mouth again. Reaching into her pocket with the other hand, Anya brought out one of the circular peppermint treats. The scent of the delightful little things always made her want a candy cane and now, as Anya extended her hand towards the muzzle of this stallion, she thought once more of the Christmas season – her favorite of the year.

Turning back to KC, Anya smiled shyly again. “No, no.” she said gently with only the slightest hint of a French accent, “I would like to see him under saddle. Spirit in a stallion is normal and not something I worry about.”

In all truth, a little spirit was just what Anya wanted in her horse - to compliment her own personality. A shy rider and a shy horse was not always the best combination she knew. In addition to that, a shy horse under saddle was even worse for the blonde. She might be shy on the ground but when in the saddle Anya was nothing like what she appeared. She had yet to find a horse wild enough that she’d refuse to ride it due to personality.

Looking over herself quickly, Anya glanced at her black leather chaps and white riding breeches. They were clean and she just realized that she had been lucky. Having been up late last night, Anya didn’t wash her clothes and meeting someone whose horse she might buy but wearing dirty clothes…..it just wasn’t in character or appealing. Then, brushing a blonde curl over her shoulder, Anya reached her hand out to pat Show Down gently on the muzzle with two fingers against the nostrils. Smiling, she turned to KC.

“Whenever you are ready I am.” She said softly.

candy canes forever.

[tox]

KC nodded shortly at her go, and immediately turned to fetch the chestnut horse who was happily shaking his his noble head up and down with a comical horsey grin on his face, while crunching the minty treat. His pawed the ground impatiently, yet stayed where he was as KC smoothly fastened his stud chain in place. The stallion stepped up beside herm walking at her shoulder, head now inclined even higher, ears flicking eagerly. KC pushed the gate back softly, and urged the stallion into a forward walk beside her. "If you follow me, you can watch him tack up. I'll get on first and put him through the paces and pop over a low fence, then let you on him." She smiled firmly, pausing beside Anya, awaiting her to follow.

KC clipped the stallion into the cross ties, hanging his lead line on a hook beside them. The chestnut swung his rump sideways, gazing down the isle with mild interest. KC shook her head, poking his flank. "Over," she murmured softly. With an exasperated sigh, Show Down moved back, standing straight and square, neck arched as his eyes searched quietly for the young woman who had at first been with them. KC scratched his forehead, and went to retrieve his tack and a hoof pick. The stallion had been groomed before being trailed here, but it never hurt to check their hooves.

When she returned, KC ran her hand over Gunner's back, and down his legs, checking his shoes and oiling them down. She combed her fingers through his tail, the stallion eyeing her all the while. When she placed the yellow saddle bad upon his back, Gunner shifted his head even higher and bobbed it joyfully. He knew what was coming. Despite the thoughts that many aimed toward horses, this particular German Warmblood absolutely adored being worked. KC smiled, and placed the riser slightly further back than his withers. Here she sat the havana saddle above and slipped the running martingale over his head. She quickly buckled the straps to the saddle and fed the girth through the loop between Gunner's legs. She tightened the girth, leaving it slightly looser than needed, as she wasn't getting on yet.

When KC finally swung into the saddle, the stallion sported a set of yellow polo wraps and a havana figure eight bridle. His bit was a Dutch Gag Four Ring, a strong bit, which was mandatory for the big horse, who wasn;t quite a push button pony. KC checked her helmet one last time, and nudged the horse forward. His stride flew forward in a ground eating walk, immediately dropping his nose into the contact, chomping at the bit the best he could with the figure eight flash noseband preventing the worst of it. His muzzle lowered to his knees, KC sitting taller, lifting her voice to Anya. "If you have any questions, just ask, or anything you want to see, tell me right away." She smiled, asking the horse to move out at a floaty trot, in which during the transition, the four year old's contact and stretch into the bit didn't falter once.