Urban Run XC | Back on Patrol

Show: Urban Run - XC Games in Goricas

Horse Name: NRS Stealth Bomber

Rider: Matthew Walsh

Stable Name: Northridge Stable

Extra: Dinner for Two

Place: 9th | Results

Trust the process. Trust yourself. Trust your horse. 

Matthew had repeated this to himself since the moment he boarded the plane to fly across the great blue ocean for the Urban Run Cross Country event. He had been wanting to travel more and see the world while he could. But these nerves were for more his horse, Bard, than himself.

Bard had been an unexpected but happy wrench thrown in the mess. Matt had applied to the Australian Warmblood Association to eventually adopt a horse that wasn’t a homebred. A horse that would come with its own backstory. Bard’s story was like looking in a mirror for Matt. A former police horse that retired early due to behavioral issues. A horse that was no longer suitable for service. Matt felt like he had found his twin flame but just on four legs. Matt’s injury still bugged him most days and his mind was not always in the right space after years of being on the force. Maybe Bard was the next phase in his healing process.

It took a number of months of just trust and patience before Matt felt confident enough to take Bard to some local shows. But just like Matt, that work attitude is hard to let go after being on the force. Bard still startled around the trailer and loud lights and sirens would make him freeze and the whites of his eyes showed he was still having some PTSD from his accident. But Matt was patient.

Now, after over a year of gaining Bard’s trust to follow Matt anywhere, they had made it across the pond and back into a similar setting Bard had been while on the force. A full circle moment for Bard when he was able to comfortably walk around the city. Really a tribute to Matt taking all the time the big guy needed. Of course, some pats and treats also helped.

With his adaptability from his breed and his previous work experience, Bard seemed like an excellent candidate for cross country. He was a sturdy boy who could withstand any changing weather or course. He was a little too thick, with an extra c, for show jumping. And he wasn’t the most graceful horse in the barn either. But cross country, it seemed like his kind of sport. And there were plenty of opportunities for him to excel in it as well.

The organizers of the event had really done a great job of making what would be a chaotic course and event due to the city being a buzz, rather easy on the horses. The stalls were clean and easy to access. The vets had already done a full check of Bard once he had arrived. Bard honestly wasn’t acting any worse for wear despite the long travel to get here. A few journalists had been popping up around the barn, snapping pictures of the horses and their riders and getting a few good stories. Both cities had welcomed the riders with open arms, making it feel less like a foreign city and more like a second home.

Matt had gotten there a few days early to make sure Bard was all settled in and ready to work before it was time for them to have their run at the course. The morning of, Matt had woken up early and grabbed a coffee and a baked good from a local café and walked down to the stable. He offered up a piece to Bard as he started to brush out his coat.

“We’re gonna have a good run today. I just feel it.” Matt spoke in a hushed tone to Bard as he settled the saddle pad over the stallion’s back. A horse passing by caught his attention and he gave a friendly wave as he finished up the last of his coffee. He settled into braiding up Bard’s mane to make sure it was out of his way before walking out to get into the saddle. It had been on and off raining the past few days, making everything a little more soft and a little more muddy. Matt warmed up Bard in the arena they had marked out. Bard was feeling great under Matt and by the time they arrived at the starting line, Matt felt even more confident. He snapped his helmet strap under his chin and got himself settled into the saddle. And just as the bell tolled for him to start his run, the clouds parted just enough to give him some sun. Though it didn’t do much to dry up the ground, he would just be cleaning off the mud on Bard later on.

They had gone through the city and he couldn’t help but smile seeing all the random pedestrian and equestrian fans line up at the well marked sides to watch the horses run through the city. The sound of Bard’s horse shoes clinking on the stone and concrete was a highlight of the run. The city seemed to change centuries with every new street they were on. But Matt’s favorite site to see was the Solkan Bridge. Matt had always been a student of architecture; it was stunning to see it in all its glory. The clouds parting and the sun hitting the decades old stone was his favorite sight of the run.

Despite the stress and panic of this trip, Matt was happy he could enter, even if it was just for sight-seeing.

Word Count: 914

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