Disguised In Lavender

Part 44

Celebrating getting into the competition was almost as impressive as winning it entirely, even Ducky nodded along. Ann leapt into Lauren's arms as she was spun around, burying her face against her neck, giggling. "We're in, Ann, we're in." Lauren was in disbelief, gazing up at her girlfriend with adoration, her heart hammering in her throat. Ann leaned down and kissed her again, pushing herself to the ground and holding a tender hand to Ducky. The young gelding curiously stretched forward, his muzzle wriggling as his gentle lips touched her fingers. Lauren didn't realize she was staring until Ann looked up at her, she quickly cleared her throat and looked down. Hearing Ann's laugh felt good, but winning so that they could keep seeing each other would feel even better. Lauren looked back at Ducky as her girlfriend jogged after the judge to thank him, the gelding blinked calmly. "Good buddy." She whispered, patting his neck as she followed the trainer more slowly down the corridor, holding her anxious breath.

There are entire libraries filled with books that go on and on about the spectacular bond between man and horse. Lauren had read each of them probably eighty times and every time they all really felt wrong in an aspect or two. The fact was, there is no magnetic connection and a sudden gateway to heaven when you're riding. Everything is a war, you fight each other and create this static balance that's tense but fluid. Ducky however, wasn't necessarily the best horse Lauren could have ever wanted in a ring. She laid a gentle hand on his withers as she pulled herself into the saddle, squirming around for a minute to get her stirrups. Ann held her reins evenly from the ground, looking up below the visor and mask, each inky black. Even Ducky had braided purple ribbons through his grey tone mane and tail.

Some younger riders had already come back from training, their older teachers giving Lauren thumbs up. One, a taller blonde boy who only looked a few years older than Lauren, stopped at Ducky's head. "The judge's will like this guy, Willerman was a breeder before judging so good luck to anyone against you." He gave a small nod to Ann and followed his young rider back towards the stall, his gate set with a limp. Lauren followed him, tensing her hands on the reins so Ducky chewed and swished his tail uncomfortably. "He seems familiar." Ann pointed out slowly, tugging back on the reins from Lauren to bring her back to the saddle. "That's what I thought. Maybe he was just on the train with us." Both spent a moment thinking about where they could have seen the boy, watching him untack the trainer's pony. "He was in the lobby wasn't he? With the old lady." Ann nodded at the thought, still furrowing her eyebrows in concentration as if it didn't feel right. "Ladies, let's walk out." Mr. Terence's impatient command drew them from their thoughts, forcing them towards the doors.

Course walkers dressed in solid ivy green didn't even look up at Lauren as she passed them on horseback. There was a feeling of almost being invisible that made her squirm in the saddle, clicking Ducky forward. It had obviously rained overnight, the course was glistening with droplets and squished beneath the foot. Cross country would be a breeze, Lauren steered the gelding across the course, almost a mile long. His head dropped in relaxation as the familiar show day buzz gripped the campus. Lauren let her reins go slack, leaning back and stretching out her arms over her head. Her back hurt from the night before which put an almost sheepish smile across her face. "Head long, riders!" Lauren looked up in an instant, regaining her reins as Ducky bobbed his head, feeling the excitement rise. From seemingly every corner of the course, a rider and their horse trotted towards the center.

There was a table set up beneath a stiff tent that was so thinly spread it hardly moved in the occasional December breeze. A group of four older looking men, each with blue lanyards that were noted in tight ribbons around their necks. The judges, Lauren stuck her feet back into the stirrups, clicking her tongue and urging Ducky forward. He was by far the laziest of the horses, or at least the most well behaved of the prancing bunch. Most riders looked Lauren's age or older at least from below their thick plastic visors shadowing their faces. Ann came running over, slowly to a speed walk as she neared the huge animals surrounding. A few more trainers came after her as well, each stopping by the sides of their riders and whispering. "I saw that blonde guy again. He's some preppy guy but we were right about him being with that older lady, his grandmother." She explained under her breath, adjusting her mask over her nose and looking up at Lauren seriously.

When it came to showing, both of them got a lot more professional and it felt good to be on the same wavelength. "Those of you here will be starting in cross country, trainers, please come collect the numbers." Ann lifted her hand to Lauren with a cheeky smile, the rider looked down, examining her curiously. She placed her hand in Ann's, avoiding her eyes with a repressed smile that hurt her jaw. "Good luck, darling." The trainer whispered, squeezing Lauren's hand and walking in the crowd of trainers to collect the numbers. They were thick papers with numbers written in smudged sharpies held together by string. Not exactly the most durable things, Lauren strung the number 34 around her shoulders like a backpack. "Wait, Ann, here." The trainer spun on her heels, eyes turned wide at the abrupt stop from heading off to the sidelines with Mr. Terence. Lauren pulled her phone from her boots, flipping it in her fingers and swiftly checking the messages. "Don't drop it." She warned as she tossed it to the trainer who fumbled carefully before shoving it into her pocket.

Walking off, Ann turned and blew a kiss, winking as Lauren rolled her eyes and made a heart with her fingers. As she escaped into the trees, lost from view, the riders studied their numbers and faced the judges critically. Lauren smiled at the tension in the air, it was clear some had doubts about the sudden deadline. She scanned the group ruthlessly, feeling a red haze flutter across her mind at the thought of leaping along the course. Dalla stared back at her, pausing her grandiose sweep of the competition with a snarky wave. "Hush." Lauren calmed Ducky with a hand on his withers as he began to prance, fighting above the bit. Tucking her elbows, the rider pushed the gelding forward and trotted beside Dalla, twisting him beside her mare. "You think she's got the color for a red ribbon?" Lauren taunted quietly, ignoring Dalla's glare and watching the judges whisper the course order. "Guess I'll just have to win." The brunette hissed back, wheeling her mare away with a harsh jab and sharp hands.