Adventures in Arnhem- Ribbon Hunt

Bonus Activity for the Dutch Youngsters Cup 2025

DYC competitor (118) Porter Collins riding BBM Blood Moon Rising, accompanied by Willow Frawley and her horse NDA Time To Rave

Show entry XX

Word Count: 469

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Porter had wanted to spend the evening tucked in next to the fireplace in their room at the Inn. It had the perfect chair to melt into. He'd spent the morning practicing with Woflie, so going back out wasn't on his agenda.... But of course, Willow had insisted they take the horses out for the activities the Cup's team had set up. They'd advertised a fun Treasure hunt, snacks and drinks, and a party after. She wasn't going to waste an opportunity for adventure, let alone a party. Willow had ended up having to bring her own horse with them. They figured Wolfie may be easier to manage with a familiar face with him , so Swish got hauled to Europe much to his dismay. The lively, retired race horse wasn't sure what to think of the trip, or the thick snow now surrounding him.

Willow was the only one excited for this. They'd be sent off to do a few different challenges along the way, small mini games and such. It was fairly trivial, but whatever it took to make Willow happy. With cheeks flushed from the cold, and bellies warm from the mulled wine, the group set off to search for their first challenge- the hidden ribbons.

The search hadn't been hard, but of course Porter had gone for the hardest ribbon to reach. Willow had found one in a bush within reach for her, but Porter insisted on getting one as well. But it had to be this ribbon. The ribbon sat just out of reach, mocking him as it glistened in the sunlight peaking through the trees. He let out a grunt and braced himself with a hand on Wolfie's neck. That ribbon was as good as his...with just a little bit further to go... Stretching as far as he could, Porter couldn't see the way Wolfie's attention turned to him. The bay stallion cocked his ears back, eye locked in on the man on his back. Plotting. Porter didn't notice the way Wolfie adjusted his weight, nor the startled squeak from Swish - who's rider definitely noticed Wolfie's plan... But said nothing.

As Porter pushed up off the edge of his saddle, fingers just touching the ribbon, Wolfie dropped his hip. And so followed Porter. With the sudden loss of support underneath him, Porter toppled over the side. His feet slipped from the stirrups and his hand lost the grip on Woflie's neck. There was no hope of hanging on. The horse let out a snort of approval as his rider fell face first into the soft snow.

For a moment there, Willow thought Porter had died. He didn't make a sound, just laid there in the snow. She let out a soft gasp as he raised his fist, the red ribbon fluttering in his grasp.