Flight of the Bumblebee

Show: NorwegianIEC
Horse: Jabberwocky
Rider: Stormy Summers
Class: Show Jumping (Shown over Obstacle 3)
Country: United States
Stable: Windswept-Acres

---

Stormy glanced out over the grassy arena. She'd already walked the course, and it was nothing she and Jabberwocky couldn't handle. They'd jumped higher at home on the practice course. Stormy herself wasn't nervous, at least not about the course. She bent down to adjust the mare's boots, paying special attention to the leg that had been injured just a few weeks prior. It wasn't a Windswept custom to use boots, but she'd insisted on using them for this event. The black and grey mare had been resting since the incident, with only a couple of training sessions before the show. The vet had said that she was fine to return to normal work, but this was Stormy's favorite horse, and she was still worried. She'll be fine, she tried to convince herself. As if she knew her rider's worries, Jena nickered softly and rubbed her head against Stormy's coat, making her smile. "You're right, girl," she said, giving the mare a scratch behind the ears. "That leg of yours has healed up just fine. We'll be just fine!"

Suddenly her name was called out over the loudspeaker. It was time to go! She swung up onto the Ratsu's back and walked her into the arena. The grassy footing was a little different, and it showed as the mare picked up speed. She slipped right before the first obstacle, and knocked down a pole. It discouraged Stormy - already their round wouldn't be clear - but it seemed to motivate Jena. She took off even faster, pounding her hooves into the dirt beneath the grass to get a foothold as she cleared the second jump with a foot to spare. Stormy had to rein her in for the third - a beautiful arc over a striped yellow-and-black obstacle. The rest of their round was clear, and the two left the arena with heads held high.

Stormy just hoped it would be enough to place.

---

Reference: Chestnut Warmblood Grand Prix Jumpers
Jump: static4.depositphotos.com/1017…