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But Peafowl Can't Fly... — Description
3rd place

I JUST LOOKED BACK AT THIS AND IT LOOKS TERRIBLE T-T

Ok, so technically, they can flutter, but you get my point. This is my (first) entry for the ES Summer Games being hosted by The-Melancholy-Virus , for the showjumping class 'Birds of a feather'

>>STORY<<

The sun shone down brightly into the barn as Rush carefully spread out his peafowl costume for the day's "Birds of a feather" showjumping class, which he was doing together with Neo. Joachim glanced at him, then curiously wandered over.
"Did you make zat?" he asked. Rush nodded without replying, grabbing a few safety pins for a small big he had. Jesse, who was polishing Neo's hooves, looked up, too.
"Flashy," he chuckled, straightening out while putting the hoof polish away.
"Can you tack him up?" Rush asked, beckoning to Neo while gathering up his own clothes. Jesse nodded, whistling softly between his teeth while grabbing the bright green and blue saddle pad. Rush walked away to get changed in the small bathroom nearby, then came out a few minutes later. He had dyed the roots of his hair blue-green the night before, and the colours were still bright. Neo's tail had also received a large amount of green and blue dye. He adjusted the shirt a bit, tugging it up, then pushed his hair to the side.
"How much time do I have?" he asked Jesse while collecting the 'tail' he'd made for Neo and carefully placing it on the stallion's back. Neo looked at him curiously, with a look that clearly read 'what are you doing to me this time?', and Rush grinned, patting his neck before continuing to fasten the feathers to the saddle pad.
"Lots," Jesse reassured, adjusting the green brow band on Neo's bridle. Joachim watched, fascinated, then finally asked, "isn't it... strange, to go out dressed like zis?" Rush looked at him.
"Does it seem like I care?" he asked, raising one eyebrow, "I'm going out there to see if I can get a shot at a prize and to train Neo. And have some fun, of course." Joachim grinned.
"I should have known," he chuckled, "can I help vith somezing?"
"Yeah, can you grab the feather leg wraps I made and put them on?" Rush nodded. Joachim did so, making sure they wouldn't slide down. Neo, in the meantime, was basking in all the attention, his bottom lip relaxed and his ears flopping out to the side lazily.
"Come on, man, you should be a little more excited," Jesse laughed, patting his neck while checking the buckles on the saddle. Finally Rush had finished with the tail, and he grabbed the non-toxic paint he had brought along, together with the paintbrush. He took some and carefully painting the white marks onto Neo's face, to match those of a peafowl. He moved to his muzzle, which took a bit more time because he had to hide all the dark brown areas while being careful not to get to close to his mouth. Neo flicked his ears back, not entirely sure what was happening. Rush finished, inspected his work, then nodded. He put the paint down and grabbed the peafowl crest. He attached it to the brow band of Neo's bridle patiently, making sure they stayed up, then thoroughly inspected all of his work.
"Good," he finally nodded, somewhat pleased, and he grabbed the paint again, sitting down.
"Jesse, can you hold up the mirror?" he asked, handing him a small mirror. Jesse did so and Rush painted the peafowl streaks onto his face, too. Joachim was combing Neo's mane patiently, getting out every last tangle. Finally Rush had finished. He paused before changing into his show boots, then straightened out, taking Neo's reins and taking the halter off his neck, where they'd left it while tacking up and getting everything ready.
"Let's do this," Jesse chuckled, leading the way out into the bright, sunny day. He took a deep breath of the warm, fresh Spring air, then laughed, "I feel sorry for anyone who has a pollen allergy," while looking at the vast fields filled with dandelions. Rush merely smiled, then continued walking through the grass towards Axel, who was sitting on the fence watching a few people warm up.
"And?" he asked. Axel looked over, pulling his sunglasses down.
"You look like a fashion statement. I like it," he grinned, patting Rush's back before pushing his sunglasses back up. Rush thought about the words for a moment, then agreed, "I suppose," with a small smile while pulling down the stirrups on Neo's saddle to get ready to warm up.

Word count: 726 words

I hope the background is alright This drawing took a lot longer than it should have so I'm happy I finally managed to get it done...

Horse: SEA He's The One , 5 years old
Rider: Oliver C. Trace
Stable: Sterlingwood Equestrian Acres
Class: Birds Of A Feather - Showjumping
Previous Experience:
- Approaching Storm
- The Storm Has Passed
- Soaring

Reference used for horse and rider: Horse Trials Stock 23
Reference used for background: cougarmountainstables.com/imag… (partially)