_{This is my entry for the KIEC Move to the Music Show Jumping competition! It's supposed to be jump #1 in the course.
This is my second time not using a lineart or greyscale, and I think it's probably one of the best pieces I've ever done, even if my attempt at the tack probably leaves more to be desired!
And I'm not gonna lie, I did this piece in virtually one sitting and it took me over eight hours... (goes to get ice pack for fingers.) And then I remembered I had to choose some music, and I've still got the story to do! I'll be amazed if my fingers are still in one piece after this! (lol!!)
The music was done using three tracks from the Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End soundtrack, put together in Windows Movie Maker.}

---

Entry Information

Horse: RME Northern Promise
Rider: Kimberly Griffiths
Stable: Riverside Meadows Equestrian
Class: Show Jumping
Music: [link]

---

Story

Kimberly couldn't have been more excited. Not only was she about to enter her first ever proper competition, but she was doing it on her beloved mare, Juniper!
She knew that Hannah could have easily picked a more experienced rider but she had chosen her and especially after Jenny did so well yesterday with Fyrefly, she was determined not to be left in in the shadow of one of the yard's best horse and rider combinations.
She had set her alarm to go off at the crack of dawn, well before anyone else from the Riverside team, so she could make sure Juniper was sparkling clean. Luckily, there wasn't actually that much grooming to be done since Hannah ahd made sure that all the horses being used in the competition had been bathed before they had left. Juniper was remarkably good at keeping herself clean, so all Kimberly really needed to do was brush the dust and straw out of her coat, which had settled overnight, and make sure her mane and tail were completely free of any knots (which was slightly more challenging).
It was just as Kimberly was getting the last knots out of Juniper's tail when Hannah appeared over the stable door with a mug of tea in hand and an amused smile on her face.
"You're up bright and early, Kim!" She said. "Not like you at all!"
Kimberly grinned. "I want to make sure Juniper is actually ready on time for once! You know how I'm always late for everything usually!"
They both laughed. Kimberly was notorious for being late for just about everything, no matter how early she started getting ready.
"I take it Juniper's been fed?" Hannah asked, patting the bay mare fondly.
Kimberly nodded. "Yes, I fed her first thing when I got down here. And I filled out her water, too, and mucked her out and everything!"
"Alright, who are you and what have you done with Kimberly Griffiths?" Asked Hannah, smiling. "Kim, she looks perfect! Why don't you go off and get some breakfast? There's still hours before the competition and you won't win on an empty stomach."
"In a minute, let me just get this knot out of her tail," said Kimberly, fighting with the stubborn knot. Finally it came loose, and Kimberly neatened up Juniper's tail before popping the brush back into the grooming box and heading off to get her own breakfast.

---

For once, Kimberly was on time as she approached the warm-up arena with Juniper, and it was such a foreign feeling that she was sure she'd forgotten something major. But she had triple-checked everything before she had left the stable, and had Will check twice, so she was quite positive that it was just perfectly normal paranoia before a show.
Still, she couldn't help but check with Hannah before she went in to warm up.
"Does everything look okay?" She asked, for about the hundreth time. "Have I forgotten anything?"
"Everything's perfect," Hannah insisted reassuringly. "You're even slightly early, which is great!"
"So shall I go and warm up now?"
"Yes. Now's perfect since there are't too many horses crowding the arena. Just warm up like I showed you."

---

"You'll be fine, Kim," Hannah whispered encouragingly, as Kimberly waited anxiously outside of the arena, waiting for the last horse and rider to finish their round.
"I know. It's just my stupid nerves," said Kimberly, her voice shaking slightly. "I've done bigger than those before."
"Go out there and show them how it's done!" Said Hannah, as the gate in front of her opened and the the competitor before her left the arena. Kimberly nodded, shortening her reins, and took off into the arena in a steady canter.
"And next up we haves Kimberly Griffiths with Hannah Thay's RME Northern Promise!"
Before she knew it, the bell had gone, and they was approaching the first jump. Kimberly encouraged Juniper forwards, making sure she was steady and balanced in the appraoch, and breathed out slowly. Here we go.

---

Juniper had been absolutely fantastic, and Kimberly couldn't have asked for a better performance. It had been almost as if they were riding at home. As they cleared the last jump, Kimberly found herself wanting to do it all again and could feel Juniper wanted it, too, but all too soon the music came to an end and she brought the mare down to walk, acknowledging the audience as they applauded and giving Juniper some huge pats. She had just had the best day of her life and it was all thanks to the amazing horse she was lucky enough to loan. Surely the day could only get better!

---

Credits

= Reference 1 [link]
= Reference 2 [link]
= Tree silhouette brushes [link]
= Sand texture brush [link]

Disney/Pirates of the Caribbean/Hans Zimmer = Music

= All else