Biscotti - Driving
With the first two events of the Driving class completed, Kass walked Jazz back to the stable to switch horses and buggies. She could feel a new wave of nervosity settle in the pit of her stomach thinking about the last part of the class. The marathon was the longest and - to her felt like - the most challenging part of the competition. Rather than return to the arena, the participants would be expected at the course set in a nearby clearing to proceed. The drivers and grooms had been allowed to go over to walk the course as well as receive more information on the proceedings from an official posted there.
Similar to cross-country, the driving teams would have to navigate a series of more or less natural obstacles. Then they would have to head into the englobing woods and follow a few kilometers of forest paths to make it to the finish line within an optimal time. Failure to complete the circuit in the allotted time would lead to penalties. Getting stuck at any individual obstacle for too long would result in the same. Agility, speed and stamina were all essential qualities to perform well in the marathon part.
At least, Kass remembered, she could count on Biscotti’s experience. The young trainer was very glad that the organisation allowed for horse swaps before the last event, even if unconventional. She also reckoned that, being an inclusive show and all, the officials would not have whipped up an overly complex or dangerous course. Were it not for that, Kass was not sure she would have signed up for the Driving class at all.
Soon Jazz was back to happily munching hay in his stall, once untacked and having received lots of pats and treats. Biscotti was taken out for a quick brush, then Kass and William both rushed to fit her harness and hitched her to their assigned cart. The teenager retook his place at the back - he would play the role of groom for the marathon. His job would be to balance the buggy in tighter turns as well as help navigate between obstacles. Since the competition was intended for buggies pulled by a single horse, grooms’ addition to the teams were optional. But Kass thought it would not hurt to get every bit of extra support that she could.
The ambiance was buzzing with energy once the trio made it to the field. Kass was surprised to see the size of the crowd despite the more remote setting - it seemed the marathon was an event people were looking forward to. A renewed sense of trepidation threatened to make her lose focus, but she forced herself to take a deep breath. Everything would be just fine - their aim was not to win but to gain experience in a new discipline. As long as both of them in the carriage and Biscotti at the front finished the course unscathed and in good spirits, all would be golden in Kass’s mind.
*
The buggy shot off with the jingles of claps and the rattle of metal as soon as the team received their go. Immediately, the trail sloped down before curving around a fenced triangle at the bottom. Kass guided the mare downhill at a trot, then put her at a short canter as soon as the slope tapered. They looped around the fences quickly, then headed towards a shallow pond. A couple of large wooden ‘’barrels’’ of sorts had been planted in the murky water on each side of a wooden bridge that was cutting across the pool. Biscotti trotted down the sandy banks, stepping into the pond without fuss with the buggy in tow. She splashed around the first barrel before climbing back onto dry land to switch to the other side of the pool. They swerved around the second obstacle then Kass guided the mare out of the pond at a lope. The roan pony turned sharply, galloping over the covered bridge that split the water with echoing hoofbeats.
They swiftly climbed a hill on the other side. The trail up the top was curved slightly so that they would come back down on the same cliffside at a trot. Then they were back to cantering, splashing straight through the pond, before swerving and crossing the water again on the other side of the divider bridge.
Only a few twists and turns along a fenced, hilly path followed by more fixed obstacles to loop around, were left before the trio headed into the woods to complete the racing portion of the circuit. Although the team had seemingly managed the obstacle course part just fine, Kass was not mad to be done with it. A few times during faster or tighter turns, she had felt the inner side of the cart lifting off the ground beneath them ever so slightly. But as quickly as it happened, they were rooted and stable again as William shifted his weight to counter the effect. Kass was glad to have been prepared for it from the lessons they had taken prior to the Summer Show, yet it had not helped calm her racing heart!
Biscotti came off of the dirt track and onto the grass at an easy gallop under acclamations from the crowd - the pony had faithfully carried them safely through the tricky course. Kass wished she could pat the mare in thanks for her hard work, but that would have to wait until they reached the finish line. The buggy jittered up and down along the way from the uneven terrain until they reached an opening in the treeline.
Sailing was smoother from there on the packed ground of the trail. They kept up a nice steady pace, Biscotti’s strides even while trees whipped past on their sides and overhead. Within about fifteen minutes the forest opened up again. The finish line was set up near the Colorado Horse Park, where officials were waiting for the participants’ arrival to record each of their times. Once they had made it and Biscotti was brought to a stop, William stepped off of the cart to hold the mare’s reins. Kass nearly burst out laughing when she noticed him - the poor boy's bottom half was completely soaked and dirty from passing through the pond earlier! With their horse under the teenager’s control, Kass was able to climb off too. She made her way to the front of the cart where Biscotti greeted her with a soft nicker. The young trainer affectionately wrapped her arms around the pony’s neck - Biscotti had been exemplary!
