[OAS] Mets Cross Country Oasis Invitational

Cassandra held Mets firmly at the starting line. The Plainsrunner was more than a little excited to be home and his energy was impossible to ignore. She’d been training him for endurance races, and to have his first real competition be in the Plains seemed fitting. 

It was still early in the day before the full heat of the plains really settled in, the grasslands stretched out in front of them. Even better was the sounds of the other riders getting ready. She hadn’t been out in this area in a few hundred years and a part of her missed the unbridled freedom of riding in the area. 

The breeze carried with it the scent of the grass, causing Mets to attempt to bolt out into the open. She’d opted not to put any tack on him. Even though he was bred for the heat, he hadn’t been in it for a while. Besides, she preferred bareback anyway. 

The signal for the race happened not a moment too soon, Mets’s impatience having grown harder to contain. There was no signal necessary, no need to urge the stallion to move. All she needed to do was stop holding him back. 

Soon Cassandra found herself racing through the open plains on a horse bred to do just that. The passing of the tall grass was a sight to behold, the land stretching on as far as the eye could see. It was thrilling and she knew Mets was as excited as she was. 

The first obstacle was little more than a low wall, Mets leaping it without breaking stride. He was probably a little overly enthusiastic if the small snort of flames that burst from him was any indication, but as she wasn’t sure how long it had been since he’d truly been able to run the plains, she’d forgive him his exuberance. 

Beyond that was another open stretch that Mets leaned into, his speed almost causing Cass to let out a shout of joy and excitement. She’d missed this. Even the open fields of Solerea couldn’t compare to the plains. She didn’t know Hayti particularly well, but she’d have to thank the barbarian for the opportunity later. And perhaps discuss further opportunities for breeding horses and such. 

The second obstacle was a jump and down into a dry creek bed, then up the other side. They’d done this enough that Mets didn’t even bat an eye, though it was the first time he listened when Cass signaled him to slow down a little. However reluctantly she did so. 

As soon as they came up the ditch the course took a sharp turn into a hedge jump spaced just far enough away to give horses and riders just enough space to adjust speed and stride… barely. Cass let out an excited shout as Mets navigated it beautifully with little input from her. It took time to get a horse to this point, and it was always worth every minute spent doing so. 

The next part of the path was winding with lots of sharp turns, which Mets decided were far too much fun not to take at a breakneck speed. Cass didn’t mind though. She knew his footing was steady and he was on his home turf, if such a thing could be said about a horse. She provided the eyes and forsite for the path, he provided the instinct and power. 

The next jump was a table, up and over and down without more than a slight hesitation at the unfamiliar placement. Mets blew a puff of smoke as he landed safely and took off towards the next set of jumps. Another jump and into a ditch and out into a jump. 

The jump opened back into a straightaway and Cass leaned in near to the stallion, patting his neck. “Nopeammin, Mets, näytä heille, mitä osaat.” 

Mets didn’t disappoint, and soon he was racing through down the path with abandon. Cass simply held on and kept an eye to the road for the next obstacle.

Another table and a row of hedges finally forced Mets to slow his pace. He was good over the jumps, but his exuberance almost cost them on one of the hedges as he tried to rush over it. A stumble and an annoyed burst of flame were the only results, fortunately. Though much to Mets annoyance Cass opted to hold him to an easier pace for a bit. At least until they were back on clearly open ground. 

It was probably a good choice as the path turned and led into a series of narrow jumps. Mets balked at the first one, tired of the slower pace and uncertain about the width. Cass circled him back around and patted his neck. “Täällä nyt voit tehdä tämän,” she murmured as she nudged him back towards the jumps. 

This time he went through all three with little more than a displeased huff of smoke and a toss of his head on the landing of the last jump. Cass chuckled as she kept him to the same steady pace. “Toivottavasti sinulla on pian taas tilaa juosta.” 

It would be a bit though before that came true. The next jump wasn’t far off, a good sized leap across a creek. Then it was a series of ditches and logs. Small hops and chains of combinations that forced even Mets to keep his pace even and slower. Though it was clear to Cass that his patience wasn’t going to last forever. 

The last jump before they hit a patch of open ground was a trench of water with a log over it, something Mets tended to struggle with. Cass wasn’t certain if it was the call of the open ground beyond or if he’d finally gotten over whatever hangup he had with jumps like that, but he didn’t hesitate as he sailed over the jump.

She barely had time to react as his hooves hit the ground on the other side and he practically dove onto the open road. Fortunately she didn’t really have to try and rein him in after that. The rest of the course was relatively easy. A few good twists and at least one challenging series of hedges, but nothing that really made Cassandra feel the need to ease the stallion’s pace. 

Finally, as they crossed the finish line, Mets gave one last show. He reared up the moment they were across, sending a gout of fire into the air. Fortunately, Cass had been ready for this and didn’t get sent toppling to the ground. 

She was laughing as she patted his neck. “Loistava kilpailu, rakkaus. Nyt viilennystä ja hyvää ruokaa varten.” And for once, Mets seemed satisfied with this.