HOME | DD

Description

Vienna was gorgeous.

Pure, perfect architecture surrounded by lush gardens and wide fields. The arena was right in the middle of a giant garden and there were actual palaces. Heck there was a fully functioning fountain as a jump in this leg of the league. The weather was beautiful. This was the true spring, bright blue skies and bright green grass. It was a striking difference from the colder, rainy spring Derrick had been used to his entire life. While this weather may be calming for some, the unfamiliarity of it all made the young man feel uneasy. Of course that might just be his general mood for all of his competitions so far. It had always been his dream to travel the world and experience it in the best way, side by side with his horse. Just six months ago, he was focusing on passing his finals in school. That’s still important, obviously, but now the young man has found his drive once more.
In the middle of the commotion, Derrick couldn’t help be fidget nervously. He adjusted the button of his jacket, the shuttle logo resting nicely on the side of the collar.

This is it.

He has finally made it. It was almost like he didn’t believe it was true. He was jolted out of his thoughts when he felt a hand touch his leg. Derrick jumped slightly in the saddle, he knew that he had the habit of getting too caught up in his head, his nerves taking over his thoughts right before he entered the ring. Thankfully his coach was there to remind him to breathe.

Erin smiled up at him, “You always get so jumpy. Relax.” She walked up to Wake who couldn’t be bothered by her rider’s nerves right now. “You will be the best girl right? Take care of poor Derrick over there.” The coach basically started to baby talk the mare, who was just soaking up the attention.

Erin had been nothing but kind and supportive of the two since the beginning. She was there to help him get back into shape after his time off and she was there to fix some of Wake’s vices that she had when she got bossy. Thankfully, the mare was naturally talented and handled everything with ease. If anything went wrong it was usually Derrick’s doing. His over analyzing lead to some faults, like misjudging distances or taking too sharp of turns and approaching the jump at the wrong angle.

“Ah, stop thinking. You’re going to make us both have a headache before you even enter the ring.” Erin was checking her phone, “you’ve got around 5 minutes.” She looked up and saw Derrick tense up, “Do we need to do those dramatic breathing exercises Talon does?”

The young adult finally broke into a smile, those exercises were absolutely ridiculous. His friend definitely had a knack for the dramatic. Derrick took a deep breath in, “I’ll be okay. We are ready.” He loosened the reins and pat Wake on the neck.

“Hell yeah, that’s the right attitude.” Erin pushed playfully at his knee, grinning.

The busy environment started to calm down a bit as the pair was called to the stand by position. Positive side of having a later start time, you get to warm up longer. Negative side was having to watch all the competition go before. Derrick tried not to think about it, and tried not to look at the current horse and rider starting their round.

Wake started to get a little antsy, looking at the crowd surrounding the area. This was always when she woke up, right before all eyes on her. Derrick gathered his reins, and rolled his shoulders back. Okay okay girl let’s do this.

“I’m going to try to find your mom in the stands but Nadia will there to meet you at the exit gate. Good luck kiddo!” Erin waved and started jogging away.

It wasn’t too long of a wait before the pair heard the clapping of the crowd signaling it was their time. He heard the theme song of his team start playing as the gate opened up into the arena. Derrick realized then that he wasn’t alone, he had people to support him. Sometimes his competitive attitude overshadowed that fact. Besides this was just the start.

The first impression in the big leagues, the beginning of riding professionally. The start of living a dream.

Word Count: 741 words

AHHHH I finished! I definitely need more practice with dramatic perspective because my brain was setting sirens off the entire time like NONONONNO ITS WRONG. That's the whole beauty of practice and improvement, to experiment with new things. I am so excited for this season and so excited to share Derrick's journey through his own self discovery. He seriously needs to build some confidence (ha says the most nervous person in real life) because I can't write the for shizzz XD ANYWAY LETS GO BOYS AND GIRLS I have a feeling it's going to be a great season!

HCL VIENNA | Show Journal
TEAM: Space Shuttles
Rider: Derrick Serwin
Horse: VA's Lady Lace
Representing the team/riding as an individual? : TEAM

Other Images From the Event
coming soon!

Tools of Trade
Adobe Photoshop CC and Wacom Cintiq 13HD
All references were drawn using the classical method (hand to eye technique)
Horse Reference
Fountain Reference and other background references all provided by HA-Champions-League
Marble Texture is my own (created years ago for a class)
Art (c) ValkyrieAcres

Description

Vienna was gorgeous.

Pure, perfect architecture surrounded by lush gardens and wide fields. The arena was right in the middle of a giant garden and there were actual palaces. Heck there was a fully functioning fountain as a jump in this leg of the league. The weather was beautiful. This was the true spring, bright blue skies and bright green grass. It was a striking difference from the colder, rainy spring Derrick had been used to his entire life. While this weather may be calming for some, the unfamiliarity of it all made the young man feel uneasy. Of course that might just be his general mood for all of his competitions so far. It had always been his dream to travel the world and experience it in the best way, side by side with his horse. Just six months ago, he was focusing on passing his finals in school. That’s still important, obviously, but now the young man has found his drive once more.
In the middle of the commotion, Derrick couldn’t help be fidget nervously. He adjusted the button of his jacket, the shuttle logo resting nicely on the side of the collar.

This is it.

He has finally made it. It was almost like he didn’t believe it was true. He was jolted out of his thoughts when he felt a hand touch his leg. Derrick jumped slightly in the saddle, he knew that he had the habit of getting too caught up in his head, his nerves taking over his thoughts right before he entered the ring. Thankfully his coach was there to remind him to breathe.

Erin smiled up at him, “You always get so jumpy. Relax.” She walked up to Wake who couldn’t be bothered by her rider’s nerves right now. “You will be the best girl right? Take care of poor Derrick over there.” The coach basically started to baby talk the mare, who was just soaking up the attention.

Erin had been nothing but kind and supportive of the two since the beginning. She was there to help him get back into shape after his time off and she was there to fix some of Wake’s vices that she had when she got bossy. Thankfully, the mare was naturally talented and handled everything with ease. If anything went wrong it was usually Derrick’s doing. His over analyzing lead to some faults, like misjudging distances or taking too sharp of turns and approaching the jump at the wrong angle.

“Ah, stop thinking. You’re going to make us both have a headache before you even enter the ring.” Erin was checking her phone, “you’ve got around 5 minutes.” She looked up and saw Derrick tense up, “Do we need to do those dramatic breathing exercises Talon does?”

The young adult finally broke into a smile, those exercises were absolutely ridiculous. His friend definitely had a knack for the dramatic. Derrick took a deep breath in, “I’ll be okay. We are ready.” He loosened the reins and pat Wake on the neck.

“Hell yeah, that’s the right attitude.” Erin pushed playfully at his knee, grinning.

The busy environment started to calm down a bit as the pair was called to the stand by position. Positive side of having a later start time, you get to warm up longer. Negative side was having to watch all the competition go before. Derrick tried not to think about it, and tried not to look at the current horse and rider starting their round.

Wake started to get a little antsy, looking at the crowd surrounding the area. This was always when she woke up, right before all eyes on her. Derrick gathered his reins, and rolled his shoulders back. Okay okay girl let’s do this.

“I’m going to try to find your mom in the stands but Nadia will there to meet you at the exit gate. Good luck kiddo!” Erin waved and started jogging away.

It wasn’t too long of a wait before the pair heard the clapping of the crowd signaling it was their time. He heard the theme song of his team start playing as the gate opened up into the arena. Derrick realized then that he wasn’t alone, he had people to support him. Sometimes his competitive attitude overshadowed that fact. Besides this was just the start.

The first impression in the big leagues, the beginning of riding professionally. The start of living a dream.

Word Count: 741 words

AHHHH I finished! I definitely need more practice with dramatic perspective because my brain was setting sirens off the entire time like NONONONNO ITS WRONG. That's the whole beauty of practice and improvement, to experiment with new things. I am so excited for this season and so excited to share Derrick's journey through his own self discovery. He seriously needs to build some confidence (ha says the most nervous person in real life) because I can't write the for shizzz XD ANYWAY LETS GO BOYS AND GIRLS I have a feeling it's going to be a great season!

HCL VIENNA | Show Journal
TEAM: Space Shuttles
Rider: Derrick Serwin
Horse: VA's Lady Lace
Representing the team/riding as an individual? : TEAM

Other Images From the Event
coming soon!

Tools of Trade
Adobe Photoshop CC and Wacom Cintiq 13HD
All references were drawn using the classical method (hand to eye technique)
Horse Reference
Fountain Reference and other background references all provided by HA-Champions-League
Marble Texture is my own (created years ago for a class)
Art (c) ValkyrieAcres