*Judges*

As the three participants were to be getting their horses ready, a person walked to each stall and handed out the guidlines of this dressage competition. The riders were to follow a set of 8 different steps. They would be judged on their rhythem, grace, understanding between horse and rider, how they are dressed, and any faults they make.

One the paper, it said-
1. Medium walk for a minimum of 10 meters.
2. Working trot for 10 meters.
3. Working canter for 10 meters.
4. 20 meter circle left - trot for 10 meters.
5. 20 meter circle right – trot for 10 meters.
6. 20 meter circle left – canter for 10 meters.
7. 20 meter circle right – canter for 10 meters.
8. Free walk on loose rein for 20 meters.
9. Salute and dismount.

When she was finished passing out the forms, she walked back to the officials area. After letting the participants have a few minutes to read over the forms and get their horses ready, an announcement came over the speakers.

"Would Aralyn Sanchez and her horse Psyche please enter the corral and make a brief pass by the judges's table."

Aralyn

Aralyn walked Psyche into the arena silently. She had on a top hat with her hair up in a bun and white breeches with a coal black coat. Psyches tail was brushed and flowing behind her. Psyches mane was pinned up as Aralyn passed by the judges table. She nodded and began the medium walk judging her ten meters carefully. She didnt want to screw this up for this was Psyches first show in awhile and they hadnt worked on any of this in about two months. She shifted slightly giving the que to her mare for a trot pushing her for ten meters at the working trot silently blocking out everything and everyone. They were good but not as good as they used to be. Aralyn shifted once more and loosened the reins a touch for the working canter. Psyche moved gracefully and was about seven meters through when she stumbled in a dirt hole. Aralyn pulled her up a bit slightly slowing her down checking to see if there was any limp. Feeling nothing she continued on.

She began her 20 meter circle going to the left at a trot making sure to keep Psyches head level and her body in line. Aralyn lightly tapped Psyches shoulder with her finger and horse and rider moved to the right at a trot. Completing the circle they turned once more and went into the ten meter canter circle. Completing that one without any faults she shifted and moved into the ten meter to the right pulling it off as well. Aralyn let out the rein as they free walked for twenty meters Aralyn sitting tall with her back straight chin parallel with the ground Psyches body perfectly lined and in tune to her mistress's every shift. Aralyn moved her hispano-arabe in front of the judges and saluted them and dismounted silently leading her black mare out of the arena.

Shady Star & Charlotte

Charlotte and Shady Star were up next. Feeling an urge of excitement, Charrlote pinned the number: 78 on Shade's brilde. Charlotte was wearing her smooth, well brushed hair up and her favorite top hat sat upon her head. She wore a blue coat and off-white breeches. Underneath her coat she wore a polo like shirt. Mounting her gelding, she squeezed slightly to get him moving. Shady Star's banner was braided tightly. His black plume was half braided, letting most of it flow peacefully. Shade walked silently into the arena. She gave a good salute and then urged shade into a good medium walk. He arched his neck in a beautiful way. Charlotte judged her 10 meters and then knew where to change gaits. They continued to the spot. Charlotte gave a little nudge and Shade changed to a working trot. Charlotte looked towards where the next gait change would be. Got it She thought fearlessly. Reaching the place, Charlotted asked Shade to move into the working canter. The canter was so smooth. Charlotte felt as if she was floating in the air. Shade was so happy to be doing this, though he knew he shouldn't neigh or whinny in the test. She slowed Shade to the trot. They began to do the 20 meter circle to the left. Shady Star began to slow, so Charlotte tapped him lightly on the shoulder with her whip(which she didn't use very often). Shade's body bended just right so he could make a perfect circle. Charlotte sat tall, as she was taught. As the finished the circle, they did the easy trot for 10 meters. Gracefully they began to circle right. Shade didn't bend as much that time but he still did a good circle, Charlotte thought. Shade realized he didn't bend as much as he needed and knew he must do better. Charlotte felt that and knew what he was about to do. It should me okay with the judges. Shade picked up his feet a little. Charlotte put a little pressure on the reins and Shade stopped high-stepping. Charlotte smiled and they finished the circle. they trotted for another 10 meters. Now Charlotte let a little rein free, and sqeezed Shady Star into the canter and circled 20 meters to the left. Not breaking his vow, Shade bended, and stumbled slightly over a rock. I wonder how that got in here. Charlotte thought. Finishing the circle, they cantered the 10 meters and Charlotte felt her floating sensation again. Shade loved cantering, his sleek black pelt shone and he felt a slight wind blow fast his face. He still arched his neck. After the 10 meters was over, they once again circled to the right. finishing the circles gleefully, Charrlote cantered her last 10 meters and let Shade walk on a loose rein. Shade no longer arched his neck Charlotte called "Dressage Neck". Happy and sad the test was over, Shade didn't know what to think. They walked 20 meters at Shade's normal walk and then halted, saluted, and dismounted. Charlotte took the reins gentely and led her most prized possension out of the arena.

*Judges*

The judges waited a bit, but it seemed that the last two horses weren't going to be shown. As time ran out for them to appear, they were both disqualified.

Now attention was turned on Aralyn and Charlotte as their scores were tallied. After a few minutes, the results were announced.

"And the winner of tonight's Dressage Competition is... Charlotte, and her horse, Shady Star. Coming in close with a second place finish is... Aralyn, with her horse Psyche! The last two horses have been disqualified, and will recieve no points for this round." The first and second place prizes were laid out on the judges table, where Charlotte and Aralyn could come pick them up.

Charlotte

Charlotte mounted her horse. It was a tradition in her family to mount her horse and trot to the desk to claim her ribbon. Her hat was still atop her head, and everything was how it was before the show. Except, of course, the many hoof-prints on the arena's sand. Charlotte urged Shade into a trot with a tap of her leg, and Shade willingly trotted up to the judges table. Charlotte dismounted and walked a little farther to the table. She picked up the blue ribbon with care, and walked over to Shade to place it on his ashen bridle he nickered quietly as Charlotte stroked his face. He nuzzled her softly. Charlotte turned her head to Aralyn and her horse. "You did a great job Aralyn." She said and reached out to shake Aralyn's hand.

Aralyn

She smiled warmly at the young woman and shook her hand "As did you Charlotte. Today was just one of Psyches off days. Watch out for us in later competitions" She winked at Charlotte then grabbed her ribbon off the table with ease. She wanted to remember today for Psyche had done well for her first competition. She placed a hand under Psyches chin and led her away to take her back to the Woodland Farm where they both lived.