[OAS] Barrel Racing Justice - Oasis Invitational

Cassandra held Justice’s reins firmly. The large draft danced nervously as they eyed the crowd and people around them. Bringing them had been a test of the ember mare’s disposition had been something of an act of faith on Cass’s part, one that had thus far gone well. Justice was nervous, but had trusted Cass enough not to bolt. The stablehands all had strict orders not to handle her as the demonkin didn’t trust the mare when she wasn’t around and didn’t want the horse or anyone else harmed.

The sand of the arena was warm enough it could be felt through her shoes, a fact that didn’t bother Cassandra too much. Justice seemed impatient and ready to go, even with some display of nerves. 

The fiery draft stamped her hoof hard into the sand, snorting in a way that suggested she was about to breath out a gout of fire. It was a skill she had, but several days with more Plainsrunners seems to have given her a few bad habits. How she hadn’t picked them up from the likes of Goose or Mets was beyond her, but it wasn’t the worst the Mare could do. 

Justice stamped her hoof again and nipped at Cass hard enough to sting but not enough to do damage, tossing her head impatiently. 

“Fine, I’ll get in the saddle if that’ll make you feel better.” 

Justice only danced slightly as Cass mounted, a large improvement over how they’d started, and then the mare went still. It was a new sensation for Cass as far as Justice was concerned, and it was mildly disconcerting when used to constant twitching or flicking of the tail. 

Justice remained still until they entered the area just before the gate of the arena and Cass wasn’t sure what to expect any more. The gate swung open and they were signaled to begin their run. 

The demonkin didn’t even get the chance to signal Justice before the draft was thundering down the sandy floor of the arena. No attempt at signaling or reigning in the large draft was effective which left Cass with only the option of hanging on and going along for the ride. It wouldn’t be the first time in her life she’d ridden a horse that way, and she was certain it wouldn’t be the last time she did so. Still, it wasn’t her preferred way to ride in a competition. 

They looped around the first barrel fast enough and at a sharp enough turn that Cass’s knee almost scraped the sand and she found herself blinking grit from her eyes. She’d have rubbed at them but she was more interested in hanging on and possibly wrestling back just a modicum of control.   

She clipped the second barrel as they came around it. Well, as Justice came around it. Cass had to acknowledge that she didn’t have control over any aspect of the ride. Instead she brought herself in closer to the horse and tightened her legs to keep herself on more securely. There was only one barrel left, so whatever was going to happen would be over quickly.

Justice careened around the third barrel, this time Cass’s knee leaving its own trail in the sand alongside Justice’s hoof prints. How the draft didn’t topple over was beyond her, but somehow the magnificent creature kept her footing as she sprinted towards the end. 

The moment they were out of the arena, Justice came to an abrupt stop, almost tossing Cass out of the saddle with how quickly and unprompted it happened. The mare then proceeded to glance back at Cassandra as if to assess if the demonkin was pleased with the performance or not. 

Cass straightened her windswept hair and let out a breathy laugh has she patted Justice’s neck, the mare for once not attempting to throw her for the gesture. “Yes, well done. But perhaps let me have a bit of a say in the activity next time, yeah?” 

Justice once again snorted in a way that suggested she might blow smoke or flames and tossed her head, clearly displeased with the notion but not completely defiant. 

“Well, I suppose that’s something.” Cass murmured as she dismounted and started to walk Justice back towards the stalls, offering the draft a piece of an apple once they’d cooled down enough. “And so are you.”