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Description

Event: AusWBA Trials 2023

Horses Reference: AVS Starstruck Silvyr

Proof of Registration: LINK

Handler: Kathrynne "Kat" Rothschild

Class Entering: Refinement Trial: Flatwork (Dressage - Medium Level)

Extra Image:

Featured Character/s:

- Serendipppitous 's: Kinavara Kalumburu (right side cameo - headshot)

- conversett 's: Caravaggio (left side cameo)

- monymay14 's: Kinavara Kimberly (right side cameo - fullbody)

Show Sponsorship: COMMENT

AusWBA Merch: Saddle Pad and Sponser Banners

Can you find the little Pink Robin that flew in for a quick peek of the show?

Placing: They got fourth place

Story:

It was hard to believe the Trials were almost over. The first three days had flown by in a flurry, with lots of events, activities, and wonderful experiences for both Kat and Silvyr. The large stallion had behaved remarkably well at his first big show. Now there was only one more challenge before them – this morning’s Refinement Trials. They would be showing in the Flatwork Class, which would be going first – before lunch and the afternoon Jumping Classes. Kat preferred it this way, as it gave her just enough time in the morning to make sure Silvyr was presentation ready for his dressage debut, but not late enough in the day that her nerves could begin to unravel.

Just as forecasted, the rain had dissipated overnight, but the heavily clouded sky maintained a muted atmosphere for the early morning competitors. Kat had snuck a long-sleeve tee in with her riding clothes, hoping that an extra layer would keep her comfortable despite the chill in the morning air. She had finished grooming Silvyr, a routine that had become quite regular for them over the last few days, and double checked his saddle girth for a proper fit one last time. She had gotten up early to rebraid his mane and tail that morning, making sure everything was tucked tightly and in place before their routine. She stood back and admired how handsome the stallion looked. Of course, she was probably insanely biased, but she really did feel like he was already a champion.

She stepped into Occa’s living quarters trailer, where the girls had been staying, and changed into her dressage uniform. She tightened the strap of her safety helmet, took one last glance in the mirror, and headed back out to gather Silvyr’s reins from Thienna. With a quick word of encouragement from her dear friends, Kat climbed into the saddle and took a deep breath. This was it, their final performance here. After this, it was relaxation and rub downs for Silvyr. And then an afternoon watching the Jumping Classes, attending the Awards Ceremony and one final Farewell Bonfire. The girls would mingle one last time tonight, meeting new friends and making memories to last a lifetime.

But first, as Kat focused her thoughts, she and Silvyr would have the chance to demonstrate their ability to work together as a team. She motioned lightly for the stallion to move forward, heading toward the outdoor arenas. The wind was picking up again, and Silvyr began to prance with an excited snort as they made their way over to the arena. “Easy boy,” Kat said as she reached down to pat his neck, “You gotta save all that energy for the show, okay?” His dance settled into a normal walk, but his eyes and ears remained at high alert, along with the occasional snort – making sure everyone in the vicinity was aware of him.

The horse and rider in the arena before them had just finished. They exited with grace, and now it was Kat and Silvyr’s turn. The pale sand arena had wooden dressage poles laid around it, marking the perimeter of the performance area. Kat guided Silvyr forward, through the gap in the poles, to the center of the arena. Facing the judges, they halted and executed the customary salute. With an acknowledging nod from the judge, Kat gathered the reins back in both of her hands, and asked Silvyr to proceed at a trot. From there they went through the patterns they had practiced numerous times, letting memory guide their routine, as they moved through walking, trotting, and cantering. It was a simple, lower-level test, but one that Kat was proud they could present together. She tried not to focus on any bobbles or mistakes, but always keep the next part of the routine in the forefront of her mind, so she would give clear signals to her working partner. This was not about what errors they made, but about how much they had grown together as a pair, and the progress they had made to come this far. Silvyr concluded the sequence, halting again for their finishing salute. And a giant smile spread across Kat’s face as she reached down to offer him a reassuring pat and well-deserved praise for all of his hard work.
Bonuses:

- Extra Image (linked above)

- Including 2 other member's horses (linked above)

- Story (above)

- Event Merchandise/Sponser Banner (linked above)
- Prize Donation (linked above)

Class Specific Bonuses:

- For depicting the horse with braided mane + tail and formal/classical show coat or attire (Flat work aspects only)

_____

Edit 10/23/23: I went back and repainted the mountains in the background, as I had mistakenly put some snow on the peaks. Luckily I found out with enough time before the event closes to rework the mountains. I hope there's enough distant detail/definition to give the mountains some surface (and not look totally flat), while still letting the low-lying clouds obscure parts of them. I tried to use a lighter lineart in a few areas to help them pop against the clouds in some parts... but it's mostly for some definition and not meant to look like snow.

_____

References:
- Top (Halt/Salute): DressageKur_97
- Middle (Left facing): Dressage Cup_49
- Bottom (Right facing): Dressage Cup_45
Background refs and Sponser Banners provided by HOST
Art/Characters © ReQuay
Word Count: 718
Thank you Serendipppitous , conversett , and monymay14 for letting me borrow a little bit of your characters <3
_____

AUS Wildlife Recap:
Kat and Silvyr met some of the gorgeous avian wildlife while visiting AUS, including:
- the Pacific Gull (during their Midday Beach Ride )
- the Australian Magpie (during their Inspection )
- the Silver Crested Cockatoos (during the Hardiness Trials )
- the Pink Robin (who flew in for a viewing of their Refinement Trials performance here)
What a fun little adventure this has been, and wonderful experience to have been a part of <3

Description

Event: AusWBA Trials 2023

Horses Reference: AVS Starstruck Silvyr

Proof of Registration: LINK

Handler: Kathrynne "Kat" Rothschild

Class Entering: Refinement Trial: Flatwork (Dressage - Medium Level)

Extra Image:

Featured Character/s:

- Serendipppitous 's: Kinavara Kalumburu (right side cameo - headshot)

- conversett 's: Caravaggio (left side cameo)

- monymay14 's: Kinavara Kimberly (right side cameo - fullbody)

Show Sponsorship: COMMENT

AusWBA Merch: Saddle Pad and Sponser Banners

Can you find the little Pink Robin that flew in for a quick peek of the show?

Placing: They got fourth place

Story:

It was hard to believe the Trials were almost over. The first three days had flown by in a flurry, with lots of events, activities, and wonderful experiences for both Kat and Silvyr. The large stallion had behaved remarkably well at his first big show. Now there was only one more challenge before them – this morning’s Refinement Trials. They would be showing in the Flatwork Class, which would be going first – before lunch and the afternoon Jumping Classes. Kat preferred it this way, as it gave her just enough time in the morning to make sure Silvyr was presentation ready for his dressage debut, but not late enough in the day that her nerves could begin to unravel.

Just as forecasted, the rain had dissipated overnight, but the heavily clouded sky maintained a muted atmosphere for the early morning competitors. Kat had snuck a long-sleeve tee in with her riding clothes, hoping that an extra layer would keep her comfortable despite the chill in the morning air. She had finished grooming Silvyr, a routine that had become quite regular for them over the last few days, and double checked his saddle girth for a proper fit one last time. She had gotten up early to rebraid his mane and tail that morning, making sure everything was tucked tightly and in place before their routine. She stood back and admired how handsome the stallion looked. Of course, she was probably insanely biased, but she really did feel like he was already a champion.

She stepped into Occa’s living quarters trailer, where the girls had been staying, and changed into her dressage uniform. She tightened the strap of her safety helmet, took one last glance in the mirror, and headed back out to gather Silvyr’s reins from Thienna. With a quick word of encouragement from her dear friends, Kat climbed into the saddle and took a deep breath. This was it, their final performance here. After this, it was relaxation and rub downs for Silvyr. And then an afternoon watching the Jumping Classes, attending the Awards Ceremony and one final Farewell Bonfire. The girls would mingle one last time tonight, meeting new friends and making memories to last a lifetime.

But first, as Kat focused her thoughts, she and Silvyr would have the chance to demonstrate their ability to work together as a team. She motioned lightly for the stallion to move forward, heading toward the outdoor arenas. The wind was picking up again, and Silvyr began to prance with an excited snort as they made their way over to the arena. “Easy boy,” Kat said as she reached down to pat his neck, “You gotta save all that energy for the show, okay?” His dance settled into a normal walk, but his eyes and ears remained at high alert, along with the occasional snort – making sure everyone in the vicinity was aware of him.

The horse and rider in the arena before them had just finished. They exited with grace, and now it was Kat and Silvyr’s turn. The pale sand arena had wooden dressage poles laid around it, marking the perimeter of the performance area. Kat guided Silvyr forward, through the gap in the poles, to the center of the arena. Facing the judges, they halted and executed the customary salute. With an acknowledging nod from the judge, Kat gathered the reins back in both of her hands, and asked Silvyr to proceed at a trot. From there they went through the patterns they had practiced numerous times, letting memory guide their routine, as they moved through walking, trotting, and cantering. It was a simple, lower-level test, but one that Kat was proud they could present together. She tried not to focus on any bobbles or mistakes, but always keep the next part of the routine in the forefront of her mind, so she would give clear signals to her working partner. This was not about what errors they made, but about how much they had grown together as a pair, and the progress they had made to come this far. Silvyr concluded the sequence, halting again for their finishing salute. And a giant smile spread across Kat’s face as she reached down to offer him a reassuring pat and well-deserved praise for all of his hard work.
Bonuses:

- Extra Image (linked above)

- Including 2 other member's horses (linked above)

- Story (above)

- Event Merchandise/Sponser Banner (linked above)
- Prize Donation (linked above)

Class Specific Bonuses:

- For depicting the horse with braided mane + tail and formal/classical show coat or attire (Flat work aspects only)

_____

Edit 10/23/23: I went back and repainted the mountains in the background, as I had mistakenly put some snow on the peaks. Luckily I found out with enough time before the event closes to rework the mountains. I hope there's enough distant detail/definition to give the mountains some surface (and not look totally flat), while still letting the low-lying clouds obscure parts of them. I tried to use a lighter lineart in a few areas to help them pop against the clouds in some parts... but it's mostly for some definition and not meant to look like snow.

_____

References:
- Top (Halt/Salute): DressageKur_97
- Middle (Left facing): Dressage Cup_49
- Bottom (Right facing): Dressage Cup_45
Background refs and Sponser Banners provided by HOST
Art/Characters © ReQuay
Word Count: 718
Thank you Serendipppitous , conversett , and monymay14 for letting me borrow a little bit of your characters <3
_____

AUS Wildlife Recap:
Kat and Silvyr met some of the gorgeous avian wildlife while visiting AUS, including:
- the Pacific Gull (during their Midday Beach Ride )
- the Australian Magpie (during their Inspection )
- the Silver Crested Cockatoos (during the Hardiness Trials )
- the Pink Robin (who flew in for a viewing of their Refinement Trials performance here)
What a fun little adventure this has been, and wonderful experience to have been a part of <3