Azurite Claim Attempt 1

Henry was holding onto the stirring wheel with one hand, his arm out the open window that supplied a crisp morning breeze. The slight creaking of the trailer could be heard behind them as they made their way down the dirt road- if it wasn’t for the music playing at the moment probably would have been the main thing bothering him in that moment. Henry’s gaze slightly shifted to the side of him as he looked to the passenger side to take a look at Fred, who was head first in a map. He let out a low tsk and looked forward chewing on the toothpick in his mouth. “Oh what got something to say wise guy?” Piped up a rather teasing voice from Fred, who had looked up from his map. “Why yes I do. Why you staring at a map like that?” Henry retorted. “Cause I’m trying to figure out kits where we are, we have been going down this dirt road now for a good time yet not a ranch in sight.” “I already told you they are further back, besides we are almost there. I came here when I bought Ziggy and Paloma.” “Yea yea.” Fred waved his hand slightly setting down the map and looking ahead. The truck gave a sudden jolt as its wheel found a hole the dirt causing its passengers to lurch forward before straightening itself back out. “JESUS” Fred let out holding on grab handle. Henry was erupting with a loud laughter which got a glare from Fred. “Oh relax my love. That wasn’t there before and look the ranch is just up ahead.” Henry pointed out as they made their way down a grouping of trees. It was busy today as expected multiples trucks and trailers- all walks of ages where gathered many bells in hand preparing to go to the field. Henry eventually found a spot and pulled into it, before looking over to Fred a small grin plastered on his face. “Let’s go pick us out a Teddy huh?” Fred still mildly annoyed from the pothole sighed “Yea sure there is someway to compete against the amount of kids here, they will probably get their sticky hands all over them.” Henry let out a snort in laughter. “Im serious! Do you know how many times I have to tell the riders to not come with sugar covered hands.” “If they do you have them clean the horses and tack after touching em don’t ya.” Henry said with a chuckle reaching over for the glove box taking out a ribbon that was lined with bells on either side. “Exactly!” Fred said “they have to learn how to not mess things up. I swear when we have kids we are making sure they don’t cause messes like some of the riders that come in. “Yea yea.” Henry chuckled giving Fred a quick kiss. The blowing of a horn caught both their attention as the excited cheers came from the crowd. “Come on let’s go! Gotta beat those kids out there then!”

With admission paid, wristbands attached, and one complaint to staff about the pothole later they were in the pasture. Walking around as some many families were already intrigued and taking the attention from the teddies, a few of them hand multiple kids who were bickering over who was going to get it. Henry looked around as they walked at the prospective teddies seems like all of them though where already intrigued by the sweet covered hands of the kids. Their attention was suddenly drawn away by the crying from a little boy who ran from behind a bush straight to his parents, to hysterical to say what happened in the moment they pulled him aside to a Teddy was was happily taking sweets so he can calm down for the moment. Fred and Henry both shared a look before heading down that way curious what could cause such a meltdown. As they approached they noticed a few bells on the ground already and a slight snort alerted them that there was a teddy here. Sure enough as they rounded the bushes, hidden right under the tree was a small mare. Her black coat and splashed markings defiantly made her a stunner. However she stood ears back looking at them with her head lowered. Not a single bell had been attached to her mane just yet. “Hey hey, it’s okay girl.” Henry said softly lowering himself slightly so he wasn’t just towering over her. “Kids have you freaked out don’t they.” The mare only let out a short snort before turning and facing away from them still keeping her gaze at them. “It’s okay we won’t tell them you’re here. You gave that kid quite the run didn’t you. How many have you chased off at this point.” He added on with a chuckle noticing a few more bells, before closing in on the distance at a slow pace continuing to keep a calm voice to the mare as he talked. When he was just close enough he presented a small bag of cut up apple slices. The slight smell of the treats wafted from the bag that caught the mares attention. “Smells good doesn’t it?” He opened to the bag and took one out holding it out to her- which after a few moments she did end up taking. Henry patted the mare lightly on her withers bringing his hand up to pet just behind the ear, still presenting her some apple slices. Moving his hand away from petting her he reached into his pocket for the bell ribbon, and with a little bit of patience was able to get it secured in. Fred has been watching from where they originally stood with a soft chuckle and a shake of his head as Henry came out dusting his hands off. “I swear if we got ourselves a project.” “It will be fine, little thing is just stressed out by the noise and commotion. The kids were likely to much for her, worried though some of the parents are gonna say something.” He pointed out seeing some talking to employers. “Well hopefully we can get her to come with us then get her out of grubby kids hands. She will probably get along well with Lennon then.” Fred said referring to one of the geldings they owned Henry nodded in agreement. “We shall see won’t we.”