Faerie Fire - Driving

It was around three in the afternoon when Kass’ English Pleasure class with Crumble finished. She was of the opinion that the young stallion was a fun ride, if only in need of a little more training and exposure. Walking beside him, she led the tall pony back to his stall. The red-head let out a yawn - she could feel that fatigue was starting to settle in her muscles and mind. Certainly the long drive and lack of good rest due to nerves from the day prior had not helped.

Just a couple more classes, she thought. Fortunately, she would only be a watcher in the immediate future - it was William’s turn to participate in the youth Driving class. She also reminded herself of the auctions that were due to be held that evening. She was pretty excited to look at all the handsome ponies that would be available! 

Kass brought her borrowed horse back into his stall, where she untacked him before giving him a quick brush. As she was working, Rachel returned from her own class. 

‘’Hey! Did you guys have fun? How did it go?’’ the stallion’s owner greeted.

‘’Not too bad, I think! He’s pretty quick on his feet, huh?’’

‘’Sure is,’’ Rachel replied with a chuckle. 

The two continued to exchange pleasantries while they laboured. Rachel seemed pretty happy with her mare’s performance in their Trail class. As she finished up and Crumble was back to eagerly pulling hay out of his net, Kass shot a quick look at her watch. With a jolt, she came out of the box.

‘’I’ll leave you to it. Will’s Driving class is starting soon,’’ she told her friend.

‘’Sure, thanks again for your help with Crumble. And wish Will luck for me!’’

Kass found her nephew near the lease horses’ stables, working on hooking up a pretty roan mare to a buggy with the help of a stablehand. Of the three ponies they had brought to the Summer Show, only two were broke to drive. Since both had been registered in the adult Driving class, William had originally not been supposed to participate in Driving too - until they had learned that a few teddies would be available to lease for the various events of the day. 

‘’Hey! Sorry I’m late,’’ Kass said as she walked up to the teenager and wooly pony. She thanked the stablehand for their assistance when she approached, taking over in holding the mare’s reins. ‘’Who is this?’’ she asked, when the pony reached with her nose to sniff Kass’s hand and check for treats. 

‘’Hey!’’ the boy replied. ‘’It’s fine, she was already harnessed when I got here. I think her name is Fairy Something…?’’

Once they finished hooking up the pinto to the buggy, they flagged an official who looked over their work before giving them the all clear. Kass passed the reins to William once he was up in the driver seat.

‘’You got this,’’ she said as the boy began to lead his lease pony towards the arena. ‘’Oh and Rachel sends her good luck wishes too!’’ 

-

The youth Driving Class was split in two halves - dressage and obstacle course. Unlike the class Kass had been registered in, there would be no marathon in the youth version. The horses would also only be asked to walk and trot while leaving out cantering. 

The young trainer took a spot in the stands outside of the ring, glad to just sit and watch for a while. The first part was the Dressage - where all the youngsters would drive their ponies together around the arena, similarly to Pleasure classes. She perked up and cheered when she spotted her nephew about to be announced next.

‘’Our next team is comprised of William Peregrine, leading Faerie Fire!’’ One judge called on the speaker while the duo walked into the ring. One more team joined the fray after that, then the class was all set to begin. 

A couple of judges stood in the middle of the arena, looking at each pair at the walk and taking notes on their pads. After a minute or so, one of them asked for the trot on the speaker. More or less simultaneously, all the carts accelerated. Kass could not help but find the army of children and teenagers leading their jogging ponies rather cute. 

‘’Walk and reverse,’’ the judge asked once every team had revolved a couple of times around the ring. ‘’Walk and reverse.’’

Faerie Fire slowed and turned inward readily to change direction. William was doing well so far, with the roan mare appearing to be quite responsive. With another loop around the arena completed, they were all asked for the trot once again under the gaze of the judges.

‘’Thank you to all drivers. Now please line-up in the center at the walk.’’

Every team’s current score was then shared, but the official ranking would wait until the obstacle course was completed.

-

Between the two parts, the arena was dragged, then officials placed a series of pairs of cones sporting a ball in a pattern. Kass noticed this circuit was more straightforward than that of the adult Driving class’ had been. The cones forming each pair were also set farther apart from each other, making it a little easier to go through without disturbing them or the balls perched on top.

When William and Faerie Fire’s names were announced after a few other teams had completed the arrangement, the tall mare entered the arena at a steady trot. The teenager led her towards the first couple sets of cones along the fenceline then they veered inward towards the next. Following the pattern, they trotted across the arena before turning in a wide circle and making their way back - forming a large figure 8. 

Kass only noticed that she had been holding her breath when the duo crossed the last set of cones. As they exited the arena under the claps from the spectators in the stands, Kass stood up to go meet with her nephew and congratulate him. From what she had seen, the team had grazed a cone or two but without knocking down any balls. All that was left for them now was to await the ranking.