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Description
He won his class.

Horse : Beaumont’s Blackbird Fantasy
Event : *Zarac 's Karelian Master Spring Event 2011
Discipline : Dressage
Class : Class III; Kyra.K Kür Dressage
Handler/Rider : Kalib Beaumont
Song : Thunder - Boys Like Girls [Youtube]
Place: First
Reference Picture:: [link]

[EDIT] ~ added in some rain
I am unbelievably proud of this picture (and the story.)
And I want to make perfectly clear that I don't want any negative criticism for this. I know the faults - so I'm just looking for positive comments for this.
Also, in terms of the story, I know the inconstancies, and where it doesn't make sense, but I basically gave up re-writing it like 10 times so i'm leaving it as it is.
Enjoy!

“So, you all ready?” Kalib asked his daughter Kimber as she say at the foot of her bed, wrapped in a blanket, staring vacantly at the wall on the other side of the room, knowing full well that she wasn’t. Her room was a mess, her hair hadn’t been brushed since the night before and he knew even without glancing at a clock that she was already going to be late. “…Kimber?” He prompted, looking at her pointedly before sighing, rolling his eyes and snatching the cover off her.
“DAD!” Kimber screamed and Kalib huffed in frustration as his daughter snatched the corner of her sheet back and curling herself up in it again. “It’s like 20 degrees out there!” She complained, and Kalib rolled his eyes again, giving up, before taking one of her braids in his hand and giving it a gentle tug. “Get your stuff together; you’re training down in the arena in 15.”
He tried to sound harsh, but his smile gave away the tremendous pride he had in his only daughter, even though she was a real pain in the ass a lot of the time. Kalib then turned on his heels and waltzed out of the room, leaving the door purposely open so he could hear what her remark was.
“…shit.”
“I heard that!” Kalib yelled back, suppressing a chuckle as he took the banister in one hand and jumped the first three steps before lolloping down into the hall, turning right and into the kitchen where Lucie was preparing breakfast.
Mmmmmm! Pancakes! His mind trilled as the smell wafted over towards him and he leaned over the counter, giving Lucie his prize-winning smile. “Good morning, Honey.”
“What do you want?” She asked, half seriously, half with a cheeky grin.
“Oooh, I don’t know,” he spun around the edge of the counter, slid one arm swiftly around Lucie’s waist and pulled her closer, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “…Pancakes?”
She giggled like a schoolgirl and tapped his nose with the wet end of her spatula, putting a rather large smudge of pancake mixture on his face.
“Oi!” He spluttered, recoiling and wiping his nose with the edge of his arm, lifting his head to find Lucie dabbing his cheek with a dishtowel.
“Oh, calm down,” she murmured, leaning closer, letting Kalib get a waft of her perfume; his head skipped a beat.
“I’ll do my best,” he said quietly – seductively – leaning closer so their lips brushed briefly; he felt Lucie smile a little and he kissed her back, one hand drifting up to the back of her head and neck.
“Oh, stop it you,” she said, turning away, but not before shooting him a seductive glance over her shoulder.
Kalib chuckled before moving around the counter and sitting down on the stool, picking up the knife and fork left there and smiling sweetly as Lucie pushed a plate stacked with pancakes in front of him and doused them in dark syrup. “Have I ever mentioned how much I love you, Luce?” He said, smiling.
“Not as much as you should,” she replied, narrowing her eyes playfully.
At that moment, Kalib looked at the clock again and sighed. He raised his head, sighed and then yelled, “Kimber!!”
Within twenty seconds, his daughter was dashing down the stairs, tugging on a pair of black riding boots as she bolted outside slamming the door behind her.
Lucie’s head jolted up, her hair bouncing with the movement, “Ka?” She asked quietly.
“Yeah, Luce?” Kalib replied, not looking up from his breakfast.
“Was that—”
“—Kimber?”
Lucie nodded.
“Yup. And she’s late.” He replied, taking another mouthful of pancake. Lucie swept around the side of the counter, running a finger over his shoulders.
“You confuse me so much sometimes, Ka,” she said quietly, and Kalib felt a shiver down his back as her long, slender fingers caressed him.
He laughed. “You do the same, y’know.” Kalib chuckled, looking up just as Lucie cupped his chin in her hands and leaned down to kiss him, her golden locks falling over his face – tickling him. “What’re you doing?” He asked as she pulled away, the tingle on his lips fading as he looked into her pale blue eyes.
“Nothin’,” and she kissed him again, this time longer and more sensually.
At that moment, Kalib stood up, hooked his arm around her lower back, holding the other side of her waist, the other pushing her hair out of her face and then knotting in the tresses of her curls at the base of her neck and kissed her firmly…
Knock, knock, knock!
Kalib’s head jerked away from Lucie and he turned towards the hall, leaning away from where they’d been standing in the centre of the kitchen.
“Kalib!!” someone yelled from outside and there was the pounding of a fist on the door again.
“One second,” he moaned, sliding away from Lucie, defeated, and opened the door to expose Richard Grouse, BS’ resident jockey and daredevil.
“Ready?” He asked, squaring up instantly when he saw Kalib and lifting his head as though to try and heighten his burly 5’2’’ frame.
Kalib stared at him vacantly for a moment, before almost jerking backwards with the realization.
“Oh shit…!”
“Remember now?” Richey chuckled, giving a slight smile.
“Yeah. Honey, I’ve gotta go,” Kalib said, half way out the door, pulling on his boots and a coat over his jeans.
“See you later,” she said absently, drifting into the living room dejectedly.

[Continued [link] ]

“All packed?” Lucie’s voice chimed up the stairs just as they saw Kimber lugging her something-near-150lb bag towards the stairs.
“Just about…” she groaned, tugging it again and feeling it slip and thud down onto the top step. Kalib held his breath a little as he saw her struggling and Lucie’s shoulders tightened and suddenly jumped forward and Kimber slipped but somehow managed to get her bag onto the floor again and herself there also without tumbling onto the floor.
“Holy—” Lucie began but bit back her words as Kimber looked up and gave an exhausted smile.
“Got enough?” Kalib chuckled, readjusting his single backpack over his shoulder and pulling up the handle on his suitcase which was full mainly of his riding boots.
“Not half!” She giggled, and Kalib inwardly rolled his eyes whilst letting his mouth slip into a slight smile. He then turned towards the open door to see Kimber gawping at the helicopter that was being loaded with his and her mounts.
“How much does that thing cost, Dad?” she queried, her mouth hanging a little bit open, due to usually not being awake to see the aircraft being loaded.
“More than you’ll ever see in front of you,” he chuckled, laying a hand on her shoulder and looking out proudly at his stables. “Ready to go then?” he asked and turned to see Kimber hugging Lucie tightly, Lucie’s fingers intertwined in her daughter’s hair, holding her protectively.
“Let her go,” Kalib mouthed with a slight smile and Lucie looked weakly up at him before letting her go and stroking her cheek.
“I’ll see you soon, Mom,”
“Love you,” Lucie said before standing up to see Kimber bouncing out of the door, her suitcase lagging a length, being jerked along behind her.
She then turned to see Kalib standing in front of her, his arms taking her in an embrace. “We’ll be back in a week. Think you can last that long?” He asked, pulled back to look at her properly, gazing into her pale, ice blue eyes.
“I’ll have to, won’t I?” She said quietly before leaning closer so their lips met briefly.
“Be safe.”

“So this is The Royal Zakharov Stables…” Kalib said, daunted by the sheer amount of people around him, as well as the beautiful landscape, architecture and atmosphere around him.
“Interesting…” Kimber said, yawning, and Kalib smiled sympathetically, holding her jetlagged shoulder in a one-armed hug.
He quickly noticed a man striding up towards him, wearing what looked like a three-piece-suit, but with riding boots. “This way, Sir,” the man said, his voice thick with a Russian accent and gestured down a brick path. “V.I.Ps are meeting in the mansion.”
Kalib stood up tall, puffed out his chest and turned his head to see the side of the magnificent gray and cream mansion, windows lining every side with a kind of veranda out the front of it. He then almost jolted in remembrance, held out the side of his jacket and produced a little card shield on a small piece of blue rope. On it, in gold emboss, it said ‘V.I.P The Karelian Masters Spring Event 2011’.
“Oh, stop showing off!” Kimber groaned and Kalib smirked as she reached into her own pocket and produced a similar shield.

The inside of the mansion, as the outside, was spectacular. It was adorned with what seemed like 19th century architecture with old-style drapes and framed paintings of long-deceased horses and riders, paired up in competition in some, others were a lone mare or stallion in front of the estate.
“Glorious…” Kalib mused out loud, looking around the extent of the room, and his eyes slowly drew to a halt on a framed photograph of a marvelous dark brown, yet gold, stallion.
“That is Szhigat' gimn .” One of the waiters said at long last. “Or, more commonly known as Sazha. He’s a Zakharov Sport Horse.”
“Uh-hu.” Kalib said, absently, still staring at the beautiful horse in the photo, wondering whether it would be wrong to ask if they were currently importing them for people, or if he could book a breeding…
“Lovely, isn’t he?” A male voice sounded behind him and Kalib literally jumped around, and then suddenly brushed his bangs out of his face and shook the hand of the handsome yet rather old man standing in front of him. “Alexander Krymov, nice to meet you.”
Kalib nodded furiously, his heart thundering. “Thank you so much for inviting us!” He blurted out, and Alexander chuckled. “I wish you all the best in the competition.”
Kalib mumbled something before Alexander walked off, the man walked with a kind of splendor only achieved by men who’d made their way up to the top of his profession and knew just how important was.
…Kalib then began to feel his cheeks turn rose…

The pair stood directly in the centre of the arena, black and white contrasting with the green all around them and the pale gold sand beneath the mighty stallion’s hooves. He snorted and shifted the weight on his hind hooves, flicking his ears about, listening to the silence…
His master sat atop his broad, muscular frame, holding the reins firmly, his brow sweating beneath his hat and eyes harsh as he waiting nervously for the song to begin. He saluted, then paused, his hand shaking, feeling the rain start up, splattering against his face.
'Great...'
The music started almost abruptly with a dash set of chords on an acoustic guitar.

Today is a winding road that's taking me to places that I didn't want to go

Blackbird almost jerked forward at a trot, his hooves landing almost daintily into the earth in time with the song, his tail fanning out like a banner behind him.
As the lyrics stopped, he turned to his left and gallivanting into a canter, striding around the corner, his tail flicking and he tossed his head up a little before bowing down into a swan-like arch.

Whoa

The voice echoed out as then came down the long side, Blackbird’s legs thrown out as he moved into an extended trot and glided down the side of the arena, his hooves barely touching the earth.

Today in the blink of an eye I'm holding on to something and I do not know why

Blackbird and Kalib found themselves at the end of the arena and they turned at the corner and then swept around in an extended canter, turning gracefully into a 20m circle at the end.

I tried…

They ended the circle and Kalib took up the reins firmly as Blackbird moved into a Passage down the longside, in time with the movements.

I tried to read between the lines
I tried to look in your eyes
I want a simple explanation
For what I'm feeling inside
I gotta find a way out
Maybe there's a way out

…Until they reached the end of the arena and the chorus picked up…

Your voice was the soundtrack of my summer
Do you know you're unlike any other?

They cantered two strides to the end central marker where Kalib, with a slight grunt, pulled Blackbird up into a Piaffe. The stallion’s legs elevated, his neck crested and his entire body’s energy seemed to condense to this one point in the centre of his magnificent body.

You'll always be my thunder, and I said—

He lurched forward at a canter, which was quickly reduced to a collected stride as they swept around the corner and moved effortlessly into a Half-pass down the diagonal.
Blackbird's neck steamed with sweat as they moved, his body bursting with energy, excitement and power and he very nearly let out a squeal of exhilaration at the thought of performing for an audience.

Your eyes are the brightest of all the colors
I don't wanna ever love another
You'll always be my thunder

Blackbird’s legs crossed over naturally, his feather sweeping past his muscled limbs and body streamline as he flounced around the corner and was pulled back into a collected trot; his tail swishing indignantly.

So bring on the rain

The energy instantly built inside the pair, man and horse almost connected in the movements and angled down the quarter line in the school. Kalib motioned with the reins and Blackbird drew up, back, and circled himself around, almost on the spot, in a Pirouette in trot.

And bring on the thunder

He reeled forward and out of his delicate Pirouette and down a straight line in an exaggerated Passage, swishing around at the central circle and to the X marker, where his body shifted together once again for another Piaffe, the black bulk of his body shedding energy and sweat with every delicate movement he made.

Today is a winding road
Tell me where to start and tell me something I don't know

He moved off again, straight down towards the entrance to the arena, before almost jerking to the side in what seemed a jump, but was in fact one of Blackbird’s swiftest movements from trot to walk.

Your voice was the soundtrack of my summer
Do you know you're unlike any other?
You'll always be my thunder, and I said

The chorus began just as they passed E, and, almost tracing a serpentine in the sand, they Half-Passed in a bouncy, collected trot to F; this movement also, was made identical to the one that followed.

Whoa

They turned down the longside again, walking around the circle at the A end before picking up into a canter, swishing around the central line, to P, and then into a beautiful collected canter.

I don't know

The voice echoed out again as Kalib tightened the reins, shifted his weight invisibly and tightened his grip with his legs.
Blackbird drew up, throwing out his legs as he switched to a diagonal line, heading to E, and his body shifted with each two strides as he performed his Flying Changes ‘two-tempi’.

And now I'm itching for the tall grass
And longing for the breeze
I need to step outside
Just to see if I can breathe

He found himself at E, wheeled about at a bouncy, collected canter, before slowing to a collected trot, his body drawn up and together, before spurring forward at M, down the diagonal, his Flying Changes thrown out ‘two-tempi’, almost symmetrically.

I gotta find a way out
Maybe there's a way out

The chorus started again, and, conversely to the music, Blackbird and Kalib slowed to a walk. The stallion’s head arched beautifully, his beady black eyes watching the crowd as he walked in time, but extremely slowly, to the music, his muscles ripping, hair tussled and body itching to move forward faster.

Your voice was the soundtrack of my summer
Do you know you're unlike any other?
You'll always be my thunder, and I said

He picked up again into trot, then down the longside, his body melting into a shoulder-in, before Half-Passing at a bouncy collected trot to the other side, where he performed the movement identically.

Your eyes are the brightest of all the colors
I don't wanna ever love another
You'll always be my thunder
So bring on the rain
And bring on the thunder—

The bridge cut in and Blackbird shot forward at a long-strided extended canter, his body exploding with excitement, his ears shot forward and he snorted happily as his hooves dug into the earth and he propelled himself forward, and then to the side in a floaty trot, which was pushed to the side in a Half-pass in Passage.

Yeah I'm walking on a tightrope
I'm wrapped up in vines
I think we'll make it out
But you just gotta give me time

He swung onto the track just in time to move onto the central track again, trotting to the X marker where he drew himself up and cantered a stride before turning into a tight double canter Pirouette that he broke from to trot a few strides before picking it up again on the outer track.

Strike me down with lightning
Let me feel you in my veins

The audience’s breaths were held as Blackbird broke from his Pirouette, strided another two lengths before taking it up again, taller and more powerfully…

I wanna let you know how much I feel your pain…

He dropped so abruptly from his Pirouette it looked like a mistake. He stood almost still for a fraction of a second before walking forward, his head still flexed in an arch, but far more relaxed, his body doing lolloping strides as Kalib kept his composure, waiting for the second to bring Blackbird up again.

Today is a winding road that's taking me to places that I didn't want to go
Whoa

He let the reins slip a little, and then pushed Blackbird on, who responded instantly, picking himself up into a bouncy trot, his strides literally floating above the ground and he flicked his tail as they sailed to the side… Onto the central line and then hooked about in a 10m circle on his hindquarters, spurring off down the track again a second later.

Your voice was the soundtrack of my summer
Do you know you're unlike any other?
You'll always be my thunder, and I said

They soared down at a trot, then a canter, whisking around on an angle, down the diagonal, switching leads in a ‘two-tempi’ Flying Change and Blackbird let a tiny squeal emit from his nostrils.

Your eyes are the brightest of all the colors
I don't wanna ever love another
You'll always be my thunder
And I said—

They spun off the track in a tight circle, back to it, and off again at the little circle— Blackbird's legs showing off a Passage and he tossed his tail in excitement.
Off the track and around the end of the arena in canter, then onto it again and another Passage.
Blackbird's entire body felt shattered and drained as he kept himself elevated and alive, adrenalin fueling his movements.

Your voice was the soundtrack of my summer
Do you know you're unlike any other?
You'll always be my thunder
So bring on the rain

Kalib put sudden pressure on Blackbird’s inside rein, he spun off the track, onto the central line, tossed his head a little, flickered his ears as his hooves danced and floated towards the centre of the arena.

Oh baby bring on the pain

They drew up swiftly, Blackbird's legs coming underneath him and he hooked his neck down obediently, sweat streaming off the entire expanse of the great stallion’s body.
And Kalib gave his finishing salute…

And listen to the thunder.

Art & Beaumont Stables ©: =Baringa-of-the-Wind

I do not appreciate critique unless I request it!
Please keep your own opinions to yourself unless I ask for it - I will not be happy to hear you bashing my work.
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Description
He won his class.

Horse : Beaumont’s Blackbird Fantasy
Event : *Zarac 's Karelian Master Spring Event 2011
Discipline : Dressage
Class : Class III; Kyra.K Kür Dressage
Handler/Rider : Kalib Beaumont
Song : Thunder - Boys Like Girls [Youtube]
Place: First
Reference Picture:: [link]

[EDIT] ~ added in some rain
I am unbelievably proud of this picture (and the story.)
And I want to make perfectly clear that I don't want any negative criticism for this. I know the faults - so I'm just looking for positive comments for this.
Also, in terms of the story, I know the inconstancies, and where it doesn't make sense, but I basically gave up re-writing it like 10 times so i'm leaving it as it is.
Enjoy!

“So, you all ready?” Kalib asked his daughter Kimber as she say at the foot of her bed, wrapped in a blanket, staring vacantly at the wall on the other side of the room, knowing full well that she wasn’t. Her room was a mess, her hair hadn’t been brushed since the night before and he knew even without glancing at a clock that she was already going to be late. “…Kimber?” He prompted, looking at her pointedly before sighing, rolling his eyes and snatching the cover off her.
“DAD!” Kimber screamed and Kalib huffed in frustration as his daughter snatched the corner of her sheet back and curling herself up in it again. “It’s like 20 degrees out there!” She complained, and Kalib rolled his eyes again, giving up, before taking one of her braids in his hand and giving it a gentle tug. “Get your stuff together; you’re training down in the arena in 15.”
He tried to sound harsh, but his smile gave away the tremendous pride he had in his only daughter, even though she was a real pain in the ass a lot of the time. Kalib then turned on his heels and waltzed out of the room, leaving the door purposely open so he could hear what her remark was.
“…shit.”
“I heard that!” Kalib yelled back, suppressing a chuckle as he took the banister in one hand and jumped the first three steps before lolloping down into the hall, turning right and into the kitchen where Lucie was preparing breakfast.
Mmmmmm! Pancakes! His mind trilled as the smell wafted over towards him and he leaned over the counter, giving Lucie his prize-winning smile. “Good morning, Honey.”
“What do you want?” She asked, half seriously, half with a cheeky grin.
“Oooh, I don’t know,” he spun around the edge of the counter, slid one arm swiftly around Lucie’s waist and pulled her closer, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “…Pancakes?”
She giggled like a schoolgirl and tapped his nose with the wet end of her spatula, putting a rather large smudge of pancake mixture on his face.
“Oi!” He spluttered, recoiling and wiping his nose with the edge of his arm, lifting his head to find Lucie dabbing his cheek with a dishtowel.
“Oh, calm down,” she murmured, leaning closer, letting Kalib get a waft of her perfume; his head skipped a beat.
“I’ll do my best,” he said quietly – seductively – leaning closer so their lips brushed briefly; he felt Lucie smile a little and he kissed her back, one hand drifting up to the back of her head and neck.
“Oh, stop it you,” she said, turning away, but not before shooting him a seductive glance over her shoulder.
Kalib chuckled before moving around the counter and sitting down on the stool, picking up the knife and fork left there and smiling sweetly as Lucie pushed a plate stacked with pancakes in front of him and doused them in dark syrup. “Have I ever mentioned how much I love you, Luce?” He said, smiling.
“Not as much as you should,” she replied, narrowing her eyes playfully.
At that moment, Kalib looked at the clock again and sighed. He raised his head, sighed and then yelled, “Kimber!!”
Within twenty seconds, his daughter was dashing down the stairs, tugging on a pair of black riding boots as she bolted outside slamming the door behind her.
Lucie’s head jolted up, her hair bouncing with the movement, “Ka?” She asked quietly.
“Yeah, Luce?” Kalib replied, not looking up from his breakfast.
“Was that—”
“—Kimber?”
Lucie nodded.
“Yup. And she’s late.” He replied, taking another mouthful of pancake. Lucie swept around the side of the counter, running a finger over his shoulders.
“You confuse me so much sometimes, Ka,” she said quietly, and Kalib felt a shiver down his back as her long, slender fingers caressed him.
He laughed. “You do the same, y’know.” Kalib chuckled, looking up just as Lucie cupped his chin in her hands and leaned down to kiss him, her golden locks falling over his face – tickling him. “What’re you doing?” He asked as she pulled away, the tingle on his lips fading as he looked into her pale blue eyes.
“Nothin’,” and she kissed him again, this time longer and more sensually.
At that moment, Kalib stood up, hooked his arm around her lower back, holding the other side of her waist, the other pushing her hair out of her face and then knotting in the tresses of her curls at the base of her neck and kissed her firmly…
Knock, knock, knock!
Kalib’s head jerked away from Lucie and he turned towards the hall, leaning away from where they’d been standing in the centre of the kitchen.
“Kalib!!” someone yelled from outside and there was the pounding of a fist on the door again.
“One second,” he moaned, sliding away from Lucie, defeated, and opened the door to expose Richard Grouse, BS’ resident jockey and daredevil.
“Ready?” He asked, squaring up instantly when he saw Kalib and lifting his head as though to try and heighten his burly 5’2’’ frame.
Kalib stared at him vacantly for a moment, before almost jerking backwards with the realization.
“Oh shit…!”
“Remember now?” Richey chuckled, giving a slight smile.
“Yeah. Honey, I’ve gotta go,” Kalib said, half way out the door, pulling on his boots and a coat over his jeans.
“See you later,” she said absently, drifting into the living room dejectedly.

[Continued [link] ]

“All packed?” Lucie’s voice chimed up the stairs just as they saw Kimber lugging her something-near-150lb bag towards the stairs.
“Just about…” she groaned, tugging it again and feeling it slip and thud down onto the top step. Kalib held his breath a little as he saw her struggling and Lucie’s shoulders tightened and suddenly jumped forward and Kimber slipped but somehow managed to get her bag onto the floor again and herself there also without tumbling onto the floor.
“Holy—” Lucie began but bit back her words as Kimber looked up and gave an exhausted smile.
“Got enough?” Kalib chuckled, readjusting his single backpack over his shoulder and pulling up the handle on his suitcase which was full mainly of his riding boots.
“Not half!” She giggled, and Kalib inwardly rolled his eyes whilst letting his mouth slip into a slight smile. He then turned towards the open door to see Kimber gawping at the helicopter that was being loaded with his and her mounts.
“How much does that thing cost, Dad?” she queried, her mouth hanging a little bit open, due to usually not being awake to see the aircraft being loaded.
“More than you’ll ever see in front of you,” he chuckled, laying a hand on her shoulder and looking out proudly at his stables. “Ready to go then?” he asked and turned to see Kimber hugging Lucie tightly, Lucie’s fingers intertwined in her daughter’s hair, holding her protectively.
“Let her go,” Kalib mouthed with a slight smile and Lucie looked weakly up at him before letting her go and stroking her cheek.
“I’ll see you soon, Mom,”
“Love you,” Lucie said before standing up to see Kimber bouncing out of the door, her suitcase lagging a length, being jerked along behind her.
She then turned to see Kalib standing in front of her, his arms taking her in an embrace. “We’ll be back in a week. Think you can last that long?” He asked, pulled back to look at her properly, gazing into her pale, ice blue eyes.
“I’ll have to, won’t I?” She said quietly before leaning closer so their lips met briefly.
“Be safe.”

“So this is The Royal Zakharov Stables…” Kalib said, daunted by the sheer amount of people around him, as well as the beautiful landscape, architecture and atmosphere around him.
“Interesting…” Kimber said, yawning, and Kalib smiled sympathetically, holding her jetlagged shoulder in a one-armed hug.
He quickly noticed a man striding up towards him, wearing what looked like a three-piece-suit, but with riding boots. “This way, Sir,” the man said, his voice thick with a Russian accent and gestured down a brick path. “V.I.Ps are meeting in the mansion.”
Kalib stood up tall, puffed out his chest and turned his head to see the side of the magnificent gray and cream mansion, windows lining every side with a kind of veranda out the front of it. He then almost jolted in remembrance, held out the side of his jacket and produced a little card shield on a small piece of blue rope. On it, in gold emboss, it said ‘V.I.P The Karelian Masters Spring Event 2011’.
“Oh, stop showing off!” Kimber groaned and Kalib smirked as she reached into her own pocket and produced a similar shield.

The inside of the mansion, as the outside, was spectacular. It was adorned with what seemed like 19th century architecture with old-style drapes and framed paintings of long-deceased horses and riders, paired up in competition in some, others were a lone mare or stallion in front of the estate.
“Glorious…” Kalib mused out loud, looking around the extent of the room, and his eyes slowly drew to a halt on a framed photograph of a marvelous dark brown, yet gold, stallion.
“That is Szhigat' gimn .” One of the waiters said at long last. “Or, more commonly known as Sazha. He’s a Zakharov Sport Horse.”
“Uh-hu.” Kalib said, absently, still staring at the beautiful horse in the photo, wondering whether it would be wrong to ask if they were currently importing them for people, or if he could book a breeding…
“Lovely, isn’t he?” A male voice sounded behind him and Kalib literally jumped around, and then suddenly brushed his bangs out of his face and shook the hand of the handsome yet rather old man standing in front of him. “Alexander Krymov, nice to meet you.”
Kalib nodded furiously, his heart thundering. “Thank you so much for inviting us!” He blurted out, and Alexander chuckled. “I wish you all the best in the competition.”
Kalib mumbled something before Alexander walked off, the man walked with a kind of splendor only achieved by men who’d made their way up to the top of his profession and knew just how important was.
…Kalib then began to feel his cheeks turn rose…

The pair stood directly in the centre of the arena, black and white contrasting with the green all around them and the pale gold sand beneath the mighty stallion’s hooves. He snorted and shifted the weight on his hind hooves, flicking his ears about, listening to the silence…
His master sat atop his broad, muscular frame, holding the reins firmly, his brow sweating beneath his hat and eyes harsh as he waiting nervously for the song to begin. He saluted, then paused, his hand shaking, feeling the rain start up, splattering against his face.
'Great...'
The music started almost abruptly with a dash set of chords on an acoustic guitar.

Today is a winding road that's taking me to places that I didn't want to go

Blackbird almost jerked forward at a trot, his hooves landing almost daintily into the earth in time with the song, his tail fanning out like a banner behind him.
As the lyrics stopped, he turned to his left and gallivanting into a canter, striding around the corner, his tail flicking and he tossed his head up a little before bowing down into a swan-like arch.

Whoa

The voice echoed out as then came down the long side, Blackbird’s legs thrown out as he moved into an extended trot and glided down the side of the arena, his hooves barely touching the earth.

Today in the blink of an eye I'm holding on to something and I do not know why

Blackbird and Kalib found themselves at the end of the arena and they turned at the corner and then swept around in an extended canter, turning gracefully into a 20m circle at the end.

I tried…

They ended the circle and Kalib took up the reins firmly as Blackbird moved into a Passage down the longside, in time with the movements.

I tried to read between the lines
I tried to look in your eyes
I want a simple explanation
For what I'm feeling inside
I gotta find a way out
Maybe there's a way out

…Until they reached the end of the arena and the chorus picked up…

Your voice was the soundtrack of my summer
Do you know you're unlike any other?

They cantered two strides to the end central marker where Kalib, with a slight grunt, pulled Blackbird up into a Piaffe. The stallion’s legs elevated, his neck crested and his entire body’s energy seemed to condense to this one point in the centre of his magnificent body.

You'll always be my thunder, and I said—

He lurched forward at a canter, which was quickly reduced to a collected stride as they swept around the corner and moved effortlessly into a Half-pass down the diagonal.
Blackbird's neck steamed with sweat as they moved, his body bursting with energy, excitement and power and he very nearly let out a squeal of exhilaration at the thought of performing for an audience.

Your eyes are the brightest of all the colors
I don't wanna ever love another
You'll always be my thunder

Blackbird’s legs crossed over naturally, his feather sweeping past his muscled limbs and body streamline as he flounced around the corner and was pulled back into a collected trot; his tail swishing indignantly.

So bring on the rain

The energy instantly built inside the pair, man and horse almost connected in the movements and angled down the quarter line in the school. Kalib motioned with the reins and Blackbird drew up, back, and circled himself around, almost on the spot, in a Pirouette in trot.

And bring on the thunder

He reeled forward and out of his delicate Pirouette and down a straight line in an exaggerated Passage, swishing around at the central circle and to the X marker, where his body shifted together once again for another Piaffe, the black bulk of his body shedding energy and sweat with every delicate movement he made.

Today is a winding road
Tell me where to start and tell me something I don't know

He moved off again, straight down towards the entrance to the arena, before almost jerking to the side in what seemed a jump, but was in fact one of Blackbird’s swiftest movements from trot to walk.

Your voice was the soundtrack of my summer
Do you know you're unlike any other?
You'll always be my thunder, and I said

The chorus began just as they passed E, and, almost tracing a serpentine in the sand, they Half-Passed in a bouncy, collected trot to F; this movement also, was made identical to the one that followed.

Whoa

They turned down the longside again, walking around the circle at the A end before picking up into a canter, swishing around the central line, to P, and then into a beautiful collected canter.

I don't know

The voice echoed out again as Kalib tightened the reins, shifted his weight invisibly and tightened his grip with his legs.
Blackbird drew up, throwing out his legs as he switched to a diagonal line, heading to E, and his body shifted with each two strides as he performed his Flying Changes ‘two-tempi’.

And now I'm itching for the tall grass
And longing for the breeze
I need to step outside
Just to see if I can breathe

He found himself at E, wheeled about at a bouncy, collected canter, before slowing to a collected trot, his body drawn up and together, before spurring forward at M, down the diagonal, his Flying Changes thrown out ‘two-tempi’, almost symmetrically.

I gotta find a way out
Maybe there's a way out

The chorus started again, and, conversely to the music, Blackbird and Kalib slowed to a walk. The stallion’s head arched beautifully, his beady black eyes watching the crowd as he walked in time, but extremely slowly, to the music, his muscles ripping, hair tussled and body itching to move forward faster.

Your voice was the soundtrack of my summer
Do you know you're unlike any other?
You'll always be my thunder, and I said

He picked up again into trot, then down the longside, his body melting into a shoulder-in, before Half-Passing at a bouncy collected trot to the other side, where he performed the movement identically.

Your eyes are the brightest of all the colors
I don't wanna ever love another
You'll always be my thunder
So bring on the rain
And bring on the thunder—

The bridge cut in and Blackbird shot forward at a long-strided extended canter, his body exploding with excitement, his ears shot forward and he snorted happily as his hooves dug into the earth and he propelled himself forward, and then to the side in a floaty trot, which was pushed to the side in a Half-pass in Passage.

Yeah I'm walking on a tightrope
I'm wrapped up in vines
I think we'll make it out
But you just gotta give me time

He swung onto the track just in time to move onto the central track again, trotting to the X marker where he drew himself up and cantered a stride before turning into a tight double canter Pirouette that he broke from to trot a few strides before picking it up again on the outer track.

Strike me down with lightning
Let me feel you in my veins

The audience’s breaths were held as Blackbird broke from his Pirouette, strided another two lengths before taking it up again, taller and more powerfully…

I wanna let you know how much I feel your pain…

He dropped so abruptly from his Pirouette it looked like a mistake. He stood almost still for a fraction of a second before walking forward, his head still flexed in an arch, but far more relaxed, his body doing lolloping strides as Kalib kept his composure, waiting for the second to bring Blackbird up again.

Today is a winding road that's taking me to places that I didn't want to go
Whoa

He let the reins slip a little, and then pushed Blackbird on, who responded instantly, picking himself up into a bouncy trot, his strides literally floating above the ground and he flicked his tail as they sailed to the side… Onto the central line and then hooked about in a 10m circle on his hindquarters, spurring off down the track again a second later.

Your voice was the soundtrack of my summer
Do you know you're unlike any other?
You'll always be my thunder, and I said

They soared down at a trot, then a canter, whisking around on an angle, down the diagonal, switching leads in a ‘two-tempi’ Flying Change and Blackbird let a tiny squeal emit from his nostrils.

Your eyes are the brightest of all the colors
I don't wanna ever love another
You'll always be my thunder
And I said—

They spun off the track in a tight circle, back to it, and off again at the little circle— Blackbird's legs showing off a Passage and he tossed his tail in excitement.
Off the track and around the end of the arena in canter, then onto it again and another Passage.
Blackbird's entire body felt shattered and drained as he kept himself elevated and alive, adrenalin fueling his movements.

Your voice was the soundtrack of my summer
Do you know you're unlike any other?
You'll always be my thunder
So bring on the rain

Kalib put sudden pressure on Blackbird’s inside rein, he spun off the track, onto the central line, tossed his head a little, flickered his ears as his hooves danced and floated towards the centre of the arena.

Oh baby bring on the pain

They drew up swiftly, Blackbird's legs coming underneath him and he hooked his neck down obediently, sweat streaming off the entire expanse of the great stallion’s body.
And Kalib gave his finishing salute…

And listen to the thunder.

Art & Beaumont Stables ©: =Baringa-of-the-Wind

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