Return of Fjellfast

Not sure if you guys will appreciate my HARPG art here but I wanted to share this one <3 It also comes with a short story. If you would like to see more HARPG art here's a link:

 https://www.deviantart.com/angellsview/art/Return-of-Fjellfast-Pheasant-Ridge-803764943 

 Story:

The sun warmed the backs of every horse and rider eagerly anticipating their run on the course. Smiles were all around, the warmth of the day had everyone in a good mood in Nova Scotia for Pheasant Ridge’s Spring show. Angell’s Meadow took the leap and had sent two of their flourishing riders to show all the way across oceans from America, their hopes were High as they brought along Fjellfast. He was a lovely Fjord horse who Riley had recently started riding and the pair were something from a dream. Riley Greene had worked with many horses during her time at Angell’s Meadow and had bonded with quite a few notably the padro mare Zena. But Riley after some time noticed the unused capabilities of “Fjelly” as she had nicknamed him.  

After sometime training Hank had caught on to these two’s special bond and couldn’t help but to encourage it. So when this show crossed Allison’s desk she took Hank’s recommendation and agreed to send Riley and Fjellfast to the show. But this worried Falco, a young rider as well as Hank’s son. Riley had never travelled further than the states for shows so Allison also agreed to send Falco overseas with her. No one had taken notice to the extra long looks or the blushes that were exchanged by the pair and Falco couldn’t be more excited to journey on a cross seas adventure with the girl who set his heart aflutter. 

Riley’s cheeks were flushed as she felt Falco’s strong hand caress against her back,

“You are going to do great out there Ri” Falco said excitedly, he understood just how good these two had become. 

“I just am worried Fjelly may get tired, He doesn’t have all that much experience and an-” Riley stuttered her nerves intertwining with her excitement like a poison trying to ruin her day. 

“Ri, Fjellfast is one of the most sturdy and strong stallions, Allie wouldn’t have agreed to send us here if she didn’t think that we could handle this, if HE could handle this. Plus it’s only like 70 F, it gets way hotter than this in the states” Falco’s words soothed Riley and she took a trembling breath. 

It was only thirty minutes later till Riley heard her exhibitor number called, Falco gave her a leg up hoisting her into the saddle. Fjellfast snorted and shook his mane in anticipation for Riley’s soft commands. Falco patted the stallion’s muscular neck,

“You take care of her boy, alright?” He smiled and looked to the Riley, “You got this”. She smiled and nodded giving Fjelly the soft encouragement to move on.

They walked up to the starting line and when the alarm sounded the pair took off at a quick but well paced canter. Each jump presented a challenge and Fjellfast accepted it and moved forward. His strong muscles flexing as he tore up the ground beneath him, any hesitation Riley had was wiped away by the excited grin she had on her face. This horse was a power house and she loved him for it. Zena had accomplished courses with grace and control, but Fjell? He took courses with pure strength and will. This was the quality she loved most about this stallion. 

His unrefined passion would not be well placed in a dressage ring and this is why he dominated in cross country. His stocky fjord build was perfect for this beautiful course. Riley loved cross country courses that were situated in the wilderness, this way she got to experience the sites of the location. This course sent her through a dazzling forest and a road lined with blossomed apple trees, each jump suited the area and both challenged and rewarded the team. Sweat started to stain the stallions coat but his enthusiasm was relentless as he flew over another jump, a log one made from birch trees with flowers around it adding to it’s decorative appearance. 

Riley patted Fjell’s neck as they cantered smoothly through the turf coming down a hill into the bay’s floor, a sandy portion of the course, the sun had dried the sand and it gave for soft footing as Fjell ran across the length of the shore, a jump came up in their sights. A piece of drift wood, probably from this very bay, was laid across two larger logs and a mossy stone. Riley took a deep breath and pushed Fjellfast on. They approached the jump and Riley counted strides in her head,’1….2…...3!’ and the pair effortlessly floated over the jump, yet another one countered fearlessly and left in their dust. She smiled and patted the horse’s neck “Good boy Fjelly! Real good boy!”.

The final portion of the course was a lush green field that was soft under Fjell’s hooves and was lined with white flowers that popped against the brightly colored grass,

“That’s it boy almost there” Riley soothed, by this time the heat had gotten to the stallion and sweat had gathered on his shoulders and neck, but he still pushed on. His endurance was rivaled only by Angell’s Meadows acclaimed endurance mares. Riley wiped her own forehead as moisture beaded on it, she regretted her apparel decision for the sheer fact that MAN the sun was hot as it beamed down on this open field, but the sunburn would have been without a doubt more regrettable. 

Standing at the end of the field was the finish line where Falco waved, that same goofy smile on his face. Riley and Fjell finished strong crossing the finish line and smoothly transitioning to a stop. Falco grabbed the reins and embraced Riley as she swung out of the saddle and to the ground.

“How was that ride?”  Falco asked excitedly

“You were right, Fjell didn't miss a beat!” she grinned and did a giddy little dance as she was impressed with the strong stallion next to them.

“How could he with such a talented rider by his side?” Falco smile was replaced by a crimson blush as riley hugged him, her much smaller frame fitting perfectly against his.

“Thank you Falco, I couldn’t have done this without you… I owe you” Falco put his hand on her sunburned cheeks,

“You don’t owe me a thing, just being witness to your triumph has been enough” He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. Today had truly been a good day and the warmth of the sun only sealed their bliss in a golden light.