~ Themiskyra's First Ride

After Willow’s okay-ish round concluded and the applause from the last Western Pleasure class faded behind her, Taylor swung down from the saddle with a long exhale, running her hand down the mare’s neck, pride swelling in her chest even as the mare let out a tired snort. “Really, you were amazing.”, she whispered, “We’ll keep working on it, huh?” Willow nudged her softly, and Taylor grinned, leading her back towards the trailer with the lightness of someone who had finished something meaningful, even if it hadn’t been perfect. Once the grullo mare was untacked, brushed down, and happily munching hay in the shade, the blonde set out to find Aarya. The sun had started to dip low, gilding the edges of the horse park in molten amber, and the buzz of the approaching auction had begun to ripple through the air.

She spotted her friend near the food vendors, sipping on her fifth fresh lemonade of the day, and chatting with someone from the trail class earlier. Taylor waved, “Aarya! Come on - we have unfinished business.”

Aarya raised an eyebrow, shaking her head with a groan, “Oh no. This is about her, isn’t it?” Taylor didn’t need to answer, and just nodded excitedly. “The blue roan. Really?”, the brunette sighed, falling into step beside her, “The one you were eyeing before the crowned stallion and before Nightmare had her little runway moment? That one?”

“Come on! She’s stunning, Aarya.”, Taylor giggled, barely able to hide the excitement bubbling in her voice, “You have to at least seeher up close. And who knows, maybe you’ll find someone, too.”

“Right-“, Aarya muttered, “Because that’s what I need: another four-legged excuse to never sleep in again.” Still, she followed without protest, and the two of them made their way back towards the auction paddocks where the meet-and-greet ponies were being prepped for viewing. A few handlers were already bringing out horses for last-minute test rides before the sun dipped too low. Taylor scanned the paddocks until her eyes locked on the mare again. Even among the crowd of beautifully bred ponies, the collared blue roan stood out like a brushstroke of stormlight. Her coat shifted between steel and slate in the sunlight, dapples hidden beneath layers of roan like the ghost of a painting beneath fresh paint. Taylor’s heart kicked. Gosh, what a beauty.

She turned towards one of the handlers nearby, the same sun-weathered man who had arranged her ride with Tartarus. “Excuse me, Sir-“ she said, “Would it be possible to test ride the blue roan mare in the back paddock? I saw her earlier and haven’t stopped thinking about her.”

The man gave her a knowing smile, tipping his hat back, “Ah, you’ve got an eye, that one’s been getting a lot of attention today.”

Taylor smiled back, “Well, I’d love to see how she moves under saddle.”

He gave a small nod, “Alright. I’ll get a saddle on her. Give me ten minutes.”

Taylor turned back to Aarya, who was already watching her with narrowed eyes. “Don’t say it.”, Taylor warned, unable to contain her giggle, “I know what I promised this morning but… but just look at them.”

Aarya just sipped her lemonade and mumbled, “Yeah it’s okay, you’re already gone anyway.” 

Only about ten minutes later, the blue roan mare was brought to the test paddock, already saddled and snorting lightly with energy. Her name, Taylor learned, was Themiskyra, a name as bold and striking as her coloring, and she wore it well. The handler passed over the reins with a warning smile, “She’s got fire in her. Not everyone likes that.”

Taylor only grinned, “That’s what I do like.” She mounted smoothly, settling into the saddle as Themiskyra shifted under her, muscles alive and twitching with anticipation. The mare tossed her head, her ears swiveling as if she were already planning her own ride. The blonde gathered the reins and nudged her forward; Themiskyra responded - but not exactly as asked. She gave a half-step, then veered slightly, testing. When Taylor corrected, she flicked her tail with theatrical flair and surged ahead at a brisk walk, more than ready to move. The mare’s energy was… something. Her gait had bounce, verve, a little too much swing in the hips - but it was all attitude, not rebellion, like a dancer who could follow the choreography but preferred to improvise.

Taylor guided her around the paddock, letting her stretch out. They transitioned into a jog - choppy at first, uneven; but with every circle, Themiskyra began to listen more. Taylor didn’t force her; she gave light pressure, clear direction, and let the mare figure it out. “She’s got opinions!”, Taylor murmured with a grin, “You’d definitelyget along great with Nightmare.” Her dunskin mare needed another new friend. After all, she couldn’t just continue turning her out ONLY with Cowboy, who was the only other pony the mare tolerated.

At the lope, Themiskyra launched into the gait like a rocket, a moment of chaos before finding rhythm. Her strides were long and expressive, a little wild around the corners, but powerful, and gosh there was something raw and beautiful about it, like living with a storm that hadn’t quite decided to be tame. Taylor felt her pulse rise with the mare’s movement. She was no polished show pony, not like Cowboy or Afterglow, but she was full of potential, full of fight… and Taylor loved every second of it. By the time she finally brought the mare back to a walk, both of them were breathing hard, sweat darkening the base of the mare’s neck, a light sheen on the woman’s brow. The mare pranced slightly, tossing her head again, as if to say, That’s all you’ve got? Taylor laughed and reached down to pat her neck. “Oh, you’re trouble, girl.”, she whispered, “And I like trouble.”

Across the paddock, Aarya watched from a distance, her arms crossed, expression already knowing.

“Looks like she’s buying that one too.”, someone muttered nearby.

And Aarya just sighed, “Of course she is.”