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Description
Horse name/link to ref: Beast of Gevaudan
Rider name/link to ref: Jim Kelly
Stables: Ballyroan-Farm (Representing Ireland)
Show: Tuscan Challenge - 3 Day Eventing
Class: 5* Barbaresco (Dressage Phase)
Starting Number: 312

Extras: The Horse is Fine , Principle Distraction , Pleased to Meet You
Other Entries: Wind Beneath My Wings (XC), Crash Test Dummies (SJ)
-----
On a fine Tuscan Tuesday, the Barbaresco dressage took place. It was Jim’s chosen sport, one he claimed to have “grown into”, as if he thought it was something to mature to enjoy, in some vain attempt to age with dignity. Of course, that would imply that at some point he “grew out” of jumping and cross country. They were a young man’s sport in his eyes, and Jim indeed hadn’t felt like a young man in quite some time.

That cloudy afternoon, then, would naturally be as relaxing as a walk in the park, or an evening in front of Agatha Christie. Whatever it was the middle-aged and middle class got up to in their leisure.

So why were work-worn hands clamming up and trembling inside soft white gloves with stress? Why did bluebell eyes soften as they nervously scanned the audience, flitting feverishly up at the judges before entering the arena? The stakes were only as high as he let them be. He was doing this event for himself, to prove a prideful point, and yet as feigned confident steps took the pair onto plush sand, it felt like his whole career was suddenly resting on his elegant shoulders.

Luckily for the anxious man, he was sat atop a far less worried companion. Calm and primed for his display of expertise, was the Beast of Gévaudan. A handsome hunk of horse who wouldn’t let his cumbersome frame get in the way of becoming an established dressage competitor to a grand-prix level. It had taken painstaking time and patience to bring an ex-police horse to such a difficult stage, but it had paid off in his show results. Each placing the tall grey claimed had been alongside his tall, grey rider. They were an inseparable team, even outside of the arena. It wasn’t uncommon for Beast to follow Jim around loose on the farm, wandering the grounds like an obedient puppy.

The arena turned the 17hh grey pup into a regal dire wolf, as notable as his namesake. A noble head set well on a majestic crested neck comfortably arched for an elegant collected form. Powerful quarters propelled the loyal steed into a charged canter, extending his dense legs in a rhythm like a dancer that floated against the neatly raked sand.

The midday performance was at least the silver vet’s usual standard since at least the usual amount of training and experience had gone into it. But still, there was nothing routine to Jim about entering a three-day event, especially on something of a whim. So unannounced was his departure to Tuscany that nobody from home even knew he was there, much less attended to watch from the substantial crowd. As far as anyone knew, the declining man was just taking a week off for ambiguous and yet undeniable health reasons.

There was just one familiar face in the crowd, though. And this time, it was fortunate that Beast kept his big brown eyes from greeting him. Even if this fashionable man was hidden behind expensive sunglasses, he shone like a beacon to Jim with a shiny signature Rolex affixed on a slender wrist. A similarly shaded head of golden hair shimmered under the Italian sun peeking in through the proud Cypress trees, casting the rest of the arena flanks in the blissful shade.
The greying man on his greying mount would salute the judges, in a most polite fashion. But the subtle wink aimed at his secret supporter as he passed told him who’s approval he really seemed to care for.

----

Ref: Dressage Cup_133
27 frame animation using Procreate
Lost track of time taken, but well over 20 hours
Movements depicted: Collected trot (above) and Extended canter (below)

Jamie Reid (featured in the crowd) belongs to Joequidae
Damon Voinovich (judge) belongs to abosz007
Gideon Goldenweiser (judge) belongs to Zoubstance

Description
Horse name/link to ref: Beast of Gevaudan
Rider name/link to ref: Jim Kelly
Stables: Ballyroan-Farm (Representing Ireland)
Show: Tuscan Challenge - 3 Day Eventing
Class: 5* Barbaresco (Dressage Phase)
Starting Number: 312

Extras: The Horse is Fine , Principle Distraction , Pleased to Meet You
Other Entries: Wind Beneath My Wings (XC), Crash Test Dummies (SJ)
-----
On a fine Tuscan Tuesday, the Barbaresco dressage took place. It was Jim’s chosen sport, one he claimed to have “grown into”, as if he thought it was something to mature to enjoy, in some vain attempt to age with dignity. Of course, that would imply that at some point he “grew out” of jumping and cross country. They were a young man’s sport in his eyes, and Jim indeed hadn’t felt like a young man in quite some time.

That cloudy afternoon, then, would naturally be as relaxing as a walk in the park, or an evening in front of Agatha Christie. Whatever it was the middle-aged and middle class got up to in their leisure.

So why were work-worn hands clamming up and trembling inside soft white gloves with stress? Why did bluebell eyes soften as they nervously scanned the audience, flitting feverishly up at the judges before entering the arena? The stakes were only as high as he let them be. He was doing this event for himself, to prove a prideful point, and yet as feigned confident steps took the pair onto plush sand, it felt like his whole career was suddenly resting on his elegant shoulders.

Luckily for the anxious man, he was sat atop a far less worried companion. Calm and primed for his display of expertise, was the Beast of Gévaudan. A handsome hunk of horse who wouldn’t let his cumbersome frame get in the way of becoming an established dressage competitor to a grand-prix level. It had taken painstaking time and patience to bring an ex-police horse to such a difficult stage, but it had paid off in his show results. Each placing the tall grey claimed had been alongside his tall, grey rider. They were an inseparable team, even outside of the arena. It wasn’t uncommon for Beast to follow Jim around loose on the farm, wandering the grounds like an obedient puppy.

The arena turned the 17hh grey pup into a regal dire wolf, as notable as his namesake. A noble head set well on a majestic crested neck comfortably arched for an elegant collected form. Powerful quarters propelled the loyal steed into a charged canter, extending his dense legs in a rhythm like a dancer that floated against the neatly raked sand.

The midday performance was at least the silver vet’s usual standard since at least the usual amount of training and experience had gone into it. But still, there was nothing routine to Jim about entering a three-day event, especially on something of a whim. So unannounced was his departure to Tuscany that nobody from home even knew he was there, much less attended to watch from the substantial crowd. As far as anyone knew, the declining man was just taking a week off for ambiguous and yet undeniable health reasons.

There was just one familiar face in the crowd, though. And this time, it was fortunate that Beast kept his big brown eyes from greeting him. Even if this fashionable man was hidden behind expensive sunglasses, he shone like a beacon to Jim with a shiny signature Rolex affixed on a slender wrist. A similarly shaded head of golden hair shimmered under the Italian sun peeking in through the proud Cypress trees, casting the rest of the arena flanks in the blissful shade.
The greying man on his greying mount would salute the judges, in a most polite fashion. But the subtle wink aimed at his secret supporter as he passed told him who’s approval he really seemed to care for.

----

Ref: Dressage Cup_133
27 frame animation using Procreate
Lost track of time taken, but well over 20 hours
Movements depicted: Collected trot (above) and Extended canter (below)

Jamie Reid (featured in the crowd) belongs to Joequidae
Damon Voinovich (judge) belongs to abosz007
Gideon Goldenweiser (judge) belongs to Zoubstance