I Am So, So Alive @horsesbythesea - Tumblr Blog

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artisticlog-deactivated20231213

treading lightly 📀

if only we could see the water horses in person

#the scorpio races #capaill uisce #thisby #water horse

skaldofskarmouth

From Thisby by Skald of Skarmouth

Let me send a postcard from Thisby

An elegy to the Mare Goddess’s Memory

A story recorded on island sands

Marked by the tracks of mare and man

a winner will rise, high as the tide

High as the cliffs they race alongside

thescorpioracesfestival

TSRF 2019

Hey everyone, it’s @applecakeandchainsaw

I know we’re getting a bit late into the season for preparation but I can’t imagine a year without a Scorpio Races Festival after the fantastic seasons we’ve had previously.

I’m trying to see how many are interested in participating in a festival this year. If there’s enough I’ll work something out for the festival and do my best to procure some prizes. Please respond by replying to this post, as I’ll be watching it through the end of the week.

fingalificated

»Dove leaps into action, hooves digging up half-circles of dirt behind her, and we tear after Finn. Finn’s path is no mystery; he has to follow the roads, and there’s only the main one, heading into Skarmouth past our house. It’s not the straightest way, though.«

The Scorpio Races by @maggie-stiefvater illustration in pen and watercolour, about 14x19cm

#the scorpio races #water horse #thisby #puck connolly #sean kendrick #capaill uisce #island ponies

I’m not quite sure why, but something about this horse just reminds me of a capall.

#the scorpio races #capaill uisce #water horse

notpuckconnolly

Sir this is my emotional support capall uisce

lsleofskye

Tennyson Beach, South Australia | blntpencil

Rider Challenge #9: Obstacles

Ava O’Connor and Volano

Jogging down the path to the beach with an unhappy Volano in tow was not my plan this morning. The sky was still dark but it was worth it to beat all of the other riders to the sand, we could train uninterrupted then. Without the presence of the other riders I didn’t have to worry about any unnecessary distractions, including a fight. The men had been testing my wits lately trying to deter me from actually racing during the festival, going so far as to try and harm Volano while we were on the beach.

Thankfully none of them had succeeded in getting more than a scratch on him before he or I put a stop to it. They made it difficult to exercise Volano but he didn’t seem to mind. After each try he was more energized than previous mornings, most likely from adrenaline. I’ve seen more personality changes from him over the past couple days then I’ve seen since I caught him. I refuse to let the other riders chase me from the beach though, and Damon agrees with me.

I ask Volano to pick up the pace, moving fluidly from a trot to a canter we seem to move in slow motion as his long strides eat the sand below. Gathering my reins he senses the motion and extends into a gallop. We fly down the length of the beach, finally slowing to a stop at the end of the long strip. Circling a few times I ask for a walk and we make our way back down to the other end of the beach. I cherish moments like this, where we’re both quiet and calm.

The sun is just starting to rise as I dismount and walk up the path back to the stable. Those riders think they can stop me, but they didn’t think about how determined I am to compete, even if we win or lose.

@thescorpioracesfestival

#the scorpio races #tsrf2018

Rider Challenge #8: The Mainland

Ava O’Connor and Volano

With the race only a week away it was crunch time. I have to get the rest of Volanos training and workouts completed by Race Day but I have to make sure that I’m not gonna lose my friends forever too. With so much on my mind I wasn’t paying attention to where I was walking. Go figure. Suddenly colliding with someone we both fell to the ground, books scattering across the road.

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t paying atten-“ but my apology was short lived as I heard a familiar voice begin speaking, “it’s fine Ava don’t worry about it”

I looked up to find Stephen at the other end of my gaze. Picking up books I apologized once more and headed on my way. I didn’t know what to do to make things less tense between us. Not race I suppose but that wasn’t an option. I continued about my way to Grattons to pick up meat scraps for Volano and was once again lost in my thoughts. What would’ve happened if I went with my mother to the mainland those years ago? I’d have never had a chance to catch Volano, or meet Damon.

Looking back I’m glad it planned out this way. The only way I’d leave Thisby is if I could take Volano with me and that was absolutely not possible. If my mother came back today to whisk me away to the city I can’t tell anyone I wouldn’t have mixed feelings about going or staying. Also on my mind, if Volano dies during the races I don’t know if I’d even be able to look at Thisby anymore. My life is in the Mare Goddesses hands, quite literally.

Only time will tell the outcome of the races, and I just can’t let anything happen to Volano. I’ll stay for now, but would I ever leave?

@thescorpioracesfestival

#the scorpio races #tsrf2018

Rider Challenge #7: Home and Family

Ava O’Connor and Volano

The sun is bright and there is much activity on the beach by the time I bring Volano down today. He’s happy that we’re able to run today. I can feel his excitement radiating in waves around us. I ask for a couple circles at a walk, then trot and finally canter as we begin our workout. He’s been responding better the more I’ve worked with him and I’m proud he’s come this far. Those who I’ve come to recognize over the years as my family are upset and in shock that I’m riding in the races this year, however since I’m an adult they have no say in it.

I understand why they’re upset but I want to tell them they have no need to worry, and that I’ll be fine. However no one can guarantee the outcome of the races. We all just have to hope that we come out unharmed. Shaking my head I refocus my attention to Volano and ask him to slow to a walk. Letting the reins slip through my fingers I grab a small portion of his mane and give him a nudge with my heels. I steer him with my legs towards our usual starting point and prepare myself for the huge burst of speed I’ve come to love. I keep the reins loosely over my arm just in case I happen to need them but I doubt I will.

Volano senses my excitement and with a short cry of “let’s go boy!” we’re off down the beach. This is the fastest we’ve gone since we started training and I’m sure we have the speed and the heart to win. We fly by familiar and strange faces as we continue our gallop down the beach and I see Damon upon Finch, sitting quietly by the cliff wall. He’s watching me with a smile on his face as I gallop by and I give him a slight wave as we go.

Reaching the end of the beach I realize that no matter how much my family hates me for participating in the races, I still have the support from someone. That’s all we need.

@thescorpioracesfestival

#the scorpio races #tsrf2018

Rider Challenge #6: Sea Wishes

Ava O’Connor and Volano

I sat on the cliff side alone, listening to the crashing of the waves and the low hum of the breeze. Today was a day to just think, with the races so close my mind has only been focused on training and the races.

“Ava! Whatcha up to?” I hear a voice from my left and turn to find Damon coming up to the edge.

“Thinking.” Was my short response as he sat down beside me.

“Whatcha thinking about?”

“How absolutely annoying you are Damon.”

“Yeah but since when has that stopped me from getting answers? What’s on your mind buttercup?” He asked softly, a smirk playing on his features.

In reality I had no idea. Trying to sort out my thoughts was like a blind man trying to find his way out of a maze, nearly impossible. My mind drifted to my parents. If only they could see me now, about to play the most dangerous game on the island.

“My parents. If dad could be here now I think he’d be proud. But my mom would probably stop at nothing to make sure I didn’t race.” I had told him a bit of why my parents aren’t here, thanks to his constant prying. “The races have basically pushed all of my friends away, I barely even see Stephen anymore. He thinks I’m being reckless and stupid.”

During my whole little speech Damon hasn’t taken his eyes off the ocean, silent. The quiet shocked me, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Damon serious for more than 5 minutes. Not counting the day we met on the beach of course.

With a sigh he spoke, “Well, even though you may not have your d friends you’re not getting rid of me” He bumped my shoulder with a smirk “and you’re definitely not getting away with leaving me to race by myself. Plus, what would happen to Volano if you jut decided you were gonna drop from the races?”

He was right. I had too much on the line to quit now, and I wasn’t going to no matter who tried to stop me.

@thescorpioracesfestival

#the scorpio races #tsrf2018

Rider Challenge #5: The Rider’s Parade

Ava O’Connor and Volano

It’s been two days since I lost Volano that horrendous day on the beach. Damon and I searched for him for hours after he ran off with no luck. All I know for certain is that I have to find him before the Rider’s Parade later on tonight. I meet with Damon on the beach, however this time we are both on foot.

“I have one more place I want to look for him, and if he hasn’t been caught by another rider then I’m betting that’s where he’ll be.” I break the silence as I tell Damon the plan.

“If he’s not there what are you going to do?” Damon asks. I’ve come to find out over the past few days that he’s quite talkative even if I’m in no mood to deal with it.

“I either have to live with it and catch another Capall or forfit the race. I’m not particularly in the mood for either of those options so he’s got to be here. We’ve looked everywhere else short of sneaking into other people’s stables.” I’ve come to terms with the possibility of having to scratch from the races and even though I don’t like it I have no choice. We walk in silence the rest of the way to the cove, where I first saw Volano before I caught him.

Listening to my surroundings I hear shuffling, and the faintest jingle of bells. Slowly, as to not upset whatever I hear making noise I creep forward to see around the corner and catch sight of a black tail.

Letting out a low whistle I remove myself from my hiding place and see the black horse standing before me. Alive, and a little worse for wear but he’s alive and that’s all I care about. Volano lets me approach him as I whisper about how I missed him and loop my arm through the reins of the bridle. Looking him over I notice that my saddle is missing but that’s the least of my concerns as we all walk out of the cove.

Damon is the first to break the silence by asking if we really have to walk all the way back to Skarmouth. Volano snorts and I look between my horse and Damon as I debate. I’m unsure how Volano would take two riders but it couldn’t hurt to try.

“Give me a leg up will you?” I ask as I attempt to jump onto Volano’s back from the ground. He chuckles but complies to my request as he launches me up onto my horses back. Steadying Volano I motion for Damon to climb up. Volano’s ears go back and he raises his head but makes no move to throw either of us into the sand. Then we’re off, making the journey back to Skarmouth on horseback.

A short walk later Volano is back in his stall with a bucket of scraps from the butcher. The sun is beginning to set behind the cliffs and I turn to Damon, “We better hurry if we want to make it in time for the Parade. Race ya?” and then we take off, sprinting down the cobblestone paths as fast as we can.

We make it just in time as I hear the announcement for the beginning of the Parade. Damon enters the line behind me, as he’s entered the race with his grey mare. I hear the names of horses and riders and become a little more anxious the closer I get to the rock. I feel Damon’s hand on my shoulder as the man before me steps down from the rock. With a deep breath I step forward and hold my hand out to the figure with the small knife. They cut my hand and I force myself to speak.

“I will ride. Ava O’Connor, Volano, by my blood.” my voice comes through stronger than I expected as my blood drips from the cut on my hand to the rock. I hear gasps through the crowd as I make my way down past Damon. I’m the only other girl to participate in the races this year, another girl named Cara is the only other female. I turn to watch Damon step up to the rock. His hand is cut though he doesn’t flinch and I hear his voice cut through the noise.

“I will ride, Damon Lennon, Finch, by my blood.” and just like that he is by my side once more. We walk through the crowd and I’m determined to enjoy the rest of the festival.

@thescorpioracesfestival

#tsrf2018 #the scorpio races

the-edadan

Rider Challenge #4: Make a Friend

Ava O’Connor and Volano

I usually distanced myself from the other riders on the beach but I had a bad feeling about today. Something bad was going to happen but I decided to saddle up and take Volano down to the beach anyway. Either way, I wasn’t going to pause our morning workouts because of an eerie feeling I had.

Walking down the narrow path I could sense the excitement and magic in the air. Another clue I had was the black monster beside me was prancing, eager to enter the beach area for a reason unknown to me. I continued on a little faster, now curious to see what had Volano so energetic.

Then I saw it. Dark red blood stained the golden sand this morning. Volano snorts, ears pricked and head raised high at the sight before us. Men running, Capalls jogging around the scene unattended. A figure lay slumped in the sand, blood covering his once white shirt. I knew something like this would happen sooner or later, after all, we are working with viscous water horses.

I mounted Volano and carefully made my way towards the bloodbath, wary of getting too close. Of course, my worst weakness is that I, Ava, am the nosiest twenty year old in Thisby. I see a rider, whom I’ve come to learn is named Aaron. He was one of the nicer riders, but now he’s gone. The offending Capall is being wrangled by those who aren’t attending to their own mounts or trying to save Aaron. I know he’s gone but I still continue to stare, unable to look away.

Blindsided, I feel an impact to my left leg. Seemingly in slow motion I fly from Volano’s back as he is hit by another Capall. I hit the wet sand harder than expected but because of the adrenaline I’m back up within seconds. Suddenly there is a presence at my side, but I’m too stunned at seeing Volano battling a smaller stallion.

“Are you hurt?” asks a voice from my right. I’m not but I can’t muster the energy to speak so i just shake my head. I watch the horses knowing better than to try and break up the fight. Keeping my eyes on the horses I answer the man, telling him I’m okay. With raven black hair and icy blue eyes he stands at least five inches taller than my 5′8 self. Catching a better glimpse of him I conclude he’s no older than twenty five.

Holding out my hand I introduce myself, “Ava. And you are?”. He shakes my hand and I hear him say quietly “Damon, are you sure you’re alright?“. I assure him I’m fine and look back to the quarrel. Hooves, teeth, and red are all I see as a man has just lost an arm trying to break up the fight, which is why I stay back. I see red streaks on Volano’s hide where the smaller horse has managed to kick or scrape with his teeth, however the gold colored horse looks much worse.

Soon the golden one has fallen and Volano stands, breathing heavily. He looks at me and I don’t expect him to come back to me. He doesn’t, but instead trots away down the beach. I have no way to catch him so I have no choice but to let him go. Damon has disappeared until he appears beside me on a light grey mare.

Holding out his hand, he speaks, “If you want to catch your horse before someone else does, I suggest you get on the horse.” I give him a sly smile and accept his offer, leaping up onto his mount. Off we are, to catch Volano before he decides to run into the ocean. As we head up the beach after my horse, I think to myself that I may have just made a friend.

@thescorpioracesfestival

#tsrf2018 #the scorpio races