OHSF Prize 1

I'm officially terrible, I can't even remember *ElreniaGreenleaf's placing that earned her this prize

But here's her horse EA Roscoe, who you can find on her website [link] in the Liveries section. He's a youngster with a bit of an issue with personal space. With some kind words from Dallas Faulkner, originally from Empire Equestrian Centre, he's getting better.

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Well, this was going to be awkward.

Dallas Faulkner had a gift, a gift he didn't really like to share with other people. It was the usual story - if he did share it, people would think he was mad, and probably write off whatever he tried to do as just his talent with horses. He didn't even want to tell Laura. That girl was the most down-to-earth person he'd ever met (except perhaps her mother) and therefore, probably the least likely to believe him.

But she was standing by at the edge of the arena with a digital camera, wanting to film and take snaps to send to EA Equestrian to show Roscoe's midweek progress. Of course he'd been coming on leaps and bounds - as if being able to talk to them wasn't enough, Roscoe was an Irish Draught and Irish Draughts were Dallas' specialty. Even this huge, bolshie creature was just a playful, misunderstood youngster who needed the situation levelling and to understand he wasn't boss.

"So just...imagine I'm like other humans. Just...do what my body language tells you."

"Other humans talk." Roscoe replied snortily. He quite enjoyed his sessions with this human. At first, because he was so tall and strong, he thought he'd be able to play a bit more with him - then realised quickly that wasn't the case.

"Yeah, I'll talk a bit, but I can't talk much because of..."

"Ohhh...oh right. I get it. Got you. OK." Roscoe nodded his head enthusiastically and Laura laughed from her seat on the arena fence.

"Come on, Dallas! My bum's numb already and I haven't sat on a horse yet today!" Laura shouted. Dallas gave her a thumbs up and unhooked the long line from Roscoe's rope halter. The idea was to lunge the youngster off the line, using the whip to send him away. When he complied with this, Dallas would then just use his body. Then he'd lead him about, showing the horse could stay a respectable distance away, stop when he stopped - basic ground manners that some horses ignored.

The session was going well, until Laura asked if she could have a go.

"I, uh..." Dallas hesitated, but Laura was already jogging over.

"What? You've already done wonders with him. And I'm small enough I can duck out the way if he really tries it on." Laura said, misinterpreting his hesitation for worry the big horse might step on her, which it partially was if Dallas was honest. "I'm not that far off average height, Dallas, we all look smaller 'cause you're so tall remember?"

Dallas grinned humourlessly at the tall joke. "OK, fine. Just be careful, he's still playful." He handed Laura the long line then made a show of talking to the dun horse. "You treat her nice, alright? Show her how well you can behave." Dallas looked Roscoe in the eye, trying to see if the horse understood, but Roscoe just whinnied immaturely.

They were off, walking around the arena on each rein. So far, Roscoe was doing well. He clipped Laura's heel once but Laura dismissed it as not giving him enough warning. Then she asked him trot alongside.

Dallas winced as Roscoe whinnied. The youngster was getting playful - he pranced sideways a little then did a couple of bunnyhops. Laura just laughed and jerked the halter, telling him to calm down. Finally, Laura walked back into the middle.

"You've done so nicely with him, I remember him stepping off that trailer like a tit and trampling everything in sight." Laura commended Dallas, handing Roscoe back over.

"Don't speak too soon - I still haven't tried loading." Dallas said absentmindedly.

Laura shook her head and stood on tip-toe to kiss him on the cheek. "Try it later. I have to go crack on, see you later."

Dallas waited until she was out of the arena before mock-collapsing against Roscoe. "Thanks for being a good guy." He said gratefully, clapping Roscoe's neck.

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Art (c)
Dallas (c)
EA Roscoe (c)