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Description
Horses:
Merciful
Phoenix
Show: A Trek Across Namibia
Story:
Mercy was still jumpy throughout the morning, preferring to travel at a fast trot rather than the usual slow plodding pace, much to her rider's displeasure. As the day progressed, Phoenix was becoming steadily more stressed. Whatever Mercy had picked up on seemed to be affecting her too. They were spooking at the smallest disturbances: a shadow cast by a bird flying overhead, a rock kicked by one of their hooves, tree branches clattering in the wind. Both horses were constantly sniffing the air, snorting like dragons.
Noah couldn't figure out why they were so upset. At first he assumed it was pent up energy from setting up camp earlier than usual but the tension was getting worse as the day wore on. After barely hanging on during yet another spook, Noah dismounted in favor of leading Mercy. It seemed a lot safer on the ground.
Around midday they were passing through a particularly wooded area. Long, dry grass went up to Noah's waist and they kept having to clamber over fallen trees. It was while they were navigating a particularly difficult spot that he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. They were being watched. He turned and scanned the tall grass behind him. He could see two tawny ears peeking over the top. Lion ears. He felt his blood run cold.
Mercy noticed it a split second after he did and bolted, tugging the rope out of his hands. Phoenix took off after her but stopped, turning to look back at her human. It took everything in her to return to his side, fighting against every one of her instincts screaming "RUN! RUN! RUN!". The lion charged. Noah knew what he had to do. He grabbed a chunk of her mane and they were off before he could even get his leg over her back.
Another lion appeared at their side, forcing them to take a hard right. Noah slipped, clinging to the mare's neck as he attempted to pull himself back up. Phoenix was thrown off balance, causing her to stumble. The two lions were right behind them now. The first one leaped, claws extended, ready to latch on to her prey's back. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. Noah could see the way their bones showed almost painfully through their skin, how their muscles had shrank from malnutrition. He saw the desperation in their eyes. This was their last chance at a meal and they would not waste it.
Just as Noah was sure he and his horse were going to be lion chow he lurched forward and heard a sickening crunch. The lioness who had jumped now lay motionless on the ground. Phoenix's kick had been enough momentum to get his leg back over. No longer hindered by her rider's weight on one side, Phoenix returned to full speed.
He thought they'd made it. The other lioness had fallen behind, unable to keep up with the well fed horse. As they were nearing open ground, two more lions emerged from the thicket in front of them. Phoenix swerved but in front of them was a huge fallen tree. It wouldn't have been a problem except for the sharp branches jutting upwards. There was no way phoenix could jump that high! Even if they tried they'd be skewered if she didn't clear it.
Phoenix didn't seem to get the memo however, and was galloping straight towards it. Noah shut his eyes and leaned forward. That's what you're supposed to do when jumping- right? He felt his horse's muscles bunch, then for a moment they were flying. They hit the ground hard, Noah barely clinging on.
Eventually Noah opened his eyes. They had slowed to a canter and seemed to be following Mercy's trail. Noah could see her tracks in the hard clay. The lions were far behind them now, and he didn't think they'd try again anytime soon. He almost felt bad for them. They were obviously starving, otherwise they wouldn't have gone after a human.
Phoenix came to a sudden stop, sending Noah tumbling to the ground. She snorted indignantly, immediately plopping down for a roll. Noah could see mercy in the distance, plucking the few blades of grass that managed to break through the hard earth. He sighed in relief. Their packs were lopsided but thankfully still attached. Phoenix shook herself and trotted off to join her. Noah admired his horses in the distance. The sun was beginning to set, turning the sky red to match the cliffs. It was quite beautiful actually. If you didn't count the almost eaten by lions part.
Word Count: 774

Artist Note: This isn't as polished as I would've liked but I'm running out of time. You'd think I'd be better at time management after barely making most of the other show deadlines -_-

TheRanchRegistry points
Phoenix: 28.5
Mercy: 28.5

References:
Sunrise at Etosha National Park
Chestnut Arabian Walking Head Down
Arabian Walk Stock

Description
Horses:
Merciful
Phoenix
Show: A Trek Across Namibia
Story:
Mercy was still jumpy throughout the morning, preferring to travel at a fast trot rather than the usual slow plodding pace, much to her rider's displeasure. As the day progressed, Phoenix was becoming steadily more stressed. Whatever Mercy had picked up on seemed to be affecting her too. They were spooking at the smallest disturbances: a shadow cast by a bird flying overhead, a rock kicked by one of their hooves, tree branches clattering in the wind. Both horses were constantly sniffing the air, snorting like dragons.
Noah couldn't figure out why they were so upset. At first he assumed it was pent up energy from setting up camp earlier than usual but the tension was getting worse as the day wore on. After barely hanging on during yet another spook, Noah dismounted in favor of leading Mercy. It seemed a lot safer on the ground.
Around midday they were passing through a particularly wooded area. Long, dry grass went up to Noah's waist and they kept having to clamber over fallen trees. It was while they were navigating a particularly difficult spot that he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. They were being watched. He turned and scanned the tall grass behind him. He could see two tawny ears peeking over the top. Lion ears. He felt his blood run cold.
Mercy noticed it a split second after he did and bolted, tugging the rope out of his hands. Phoenix took off after her but stopped, turning to look back at her human. It took everything in her to return to his side, fighting against every one of her instincts screaming "RUN! RUN! RUN!". The lion charged. Noah knew what he had to do. He grabbed a chunk of her mane and they were off before he could even get his leg over her back.
Another lion appeared at their side, forcing them to take a hard right. Noah slipped, clinging to the mare's neck as he attempted to pull himself back up. Phoenix was thrown off balance, causing her to stumble. The two lions were right behind them now. The first one leaped, claws extended, ready to latch on to her prey's back. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. Noah could see the way their bones showed almost painfully through their skin, how their muscles had shrank from malnutrition. He saw the desperation in their eyes. This was their last chance at a meal and they would not waste it.
Just as Noah was sure he and his horse were going to be lion chow he lurched forward and heard a sickening crunch. The lioness who had jumped now lay motionless on the ground. Phoenix's kick had been enough momentum to get his leg back over. No longer hindered by her rider's weight on one side, Phoenix returned to full speed.
He thought they'd made it. The other lioness had fallen behind, unable to keep up with the well fed horse. As they were nearing open ground, two more lions emerged from the thicket in front of them. Phoenix swerved but in front of them was a huge fallen tree. It wouldn't have been a problem except for the sharp branches jutting upwards. There was no way phoenix could jump that high! Even if they tried they'd be skewered if she didn't clear it.
Phoenix didn't seem to get the memo however, and was galloping straight towards it. Noah shut his eyes and leaned forward. That's what you're supposed to do when jumping- right? He felt his horse's muscles bunch, then for a moment they were flying. They hit the ground hard, Noah barely clinging on.
Eventually Noah opened his eyes. They had slowed to a canter and seemed to be following Mercy's trail. Noah could see her tracks in the hard clay. The lions were far behind them now, and he didn't think they'd try again anytime soon. He almost felt bad for them. They were obviously starving, otherwise they wouldn't have gone after a human.
Phoenix came to a sudden stop, sending Noah tumbling to the ground. She snorted indignantly, immediately plopping down for a roll. Noah could see mercy in the distance, plucking the few blades of grass that managed to break through the hard earth. He sighed in relief. Their packs were lopsided but thankfully still attached. Phoenix shook herself and trotted off to join her. Noah admired his horses in the distance. The sun was beginning to set, turning the sky red to match the cliffs. It was quite beautiful actually. If you didn't count the almost eaten by lions part.
Word Count: 774

Artist Note: This isn't as polished as I would've liked but I'm running out of time. You'd think I'd be better at time management after barely making most of the other show deadlines -_-

TheRanchRegistry points
Phoenix: 28.5
Mercy: 28.5

References:
Sunrise at Etosha National Park
Chestnut Arabian Walking Head Down
Arabian Walk Stock