SSO Winter Prompts 2020

20. Friesian (Canter Ella)

(Fun Fact: Canter Ella's secret identity is Elena)

A young girl clambered up the fence, wanting a better view of the horses in the paddock. Her father had gotten some new horses from very far away to add to his breeding stock, and she wanted to watch them.

"What are you doing, Little Ella?" a deep voice behind her made her smile and look back, catching her father's face as he lifted her up and supported her as she stood halfway up the fence.

"I wanted to see the horses!" Elena chirped, attention going back to the horses adjusting to their new home. She went quiet in awe, starstruck by the majestic flowing manes and tails, the horses nervously parading around and investigating their surroundings. They held their heads high and picked up their feathered hooves, prancing about. Blacks, bays, and chestnuts snorted in a herd, and two stable hands tried to control a midnight black stallion that reared, not interested in going into his own paddock.

"Where are they from?" the girl asked her father, focused on the beautiful black stallion.

"Friesland, very far north from here. You like the stallion?" he asked, not missing her admiration.

"Yes! Is he mine?" she whipped her head around, excited and hopeful, making him laugh as he shook his head.

"No, no! He's much too big and dangerous for you, Elena-"

"No he's not! I can ride him! I-" she interrupted, pouting and pleading and only stopping when he put his hand up and gave her a stern look. She went silent, sticking her bottom lip out.

"That's why you'll get his colt," he finished, beaming when she squealed and hugged him around the neck.

"A horse of my own! Where is he? I want to see him! Can I ride him now?" she begged, so excited the words were a jumble escaping her, slowing down as her father laughed and stroked her hair.

"There isn't a colt yet, but I have plans for that stallion and some of Orenzio's mares, and when one of them has a colt he will be yours!" he told her his plans, her eyes lighting up again at the mention of their family friend Orenzio, who also bred quality horses.

"Thank you thank you thank you, Papa!" she hugged him again, squeezing him tight as he spun her around, already thinking of names and how wonderful it will be to have a gorgeous Friesland horse of her own.