Have you ever seen the rain

I want to know, have you ever seen the rain
Comin' down on a sunny day?

Oak Brooke's Second Annual Dressage Show

Ludkhannah ridden by Anna Nordstrand for Falken Stud in Class 2- Intermediate Dressage
Previous experience: Dancing Queen
Extra: That sinking feeling

Anna had journeyed to Scotland for the second year in a row to compete at Oak Brooke Stables.
Once again, she had brought Saigon, but this time it was not only her red queen to make a showing,
but also Anna's younger upcoming prodigy, Ludkhannah.  The daughter of Nar-Elena and Loesgeist
had come along nicely thus far, and still there was plenty of room to develop.  The plan had been
to bring Nightingale as well to make her competitive debut under Sofie's hand, but in the end Anna
had deemed that the young mare needed some more time to mature first.  Nonetheless, Sofie
had still come along to experience the higher-level international setting and to assist as groom.

The rain fell steadily throughout the morning, occasionally relentlessly pounding the glass of the
arena, occasionally a mere drizzle.  Anna was somewhat concerned about this; Ludkhannah was
a sensitive creature, not stupid, but certainly highly reactive.  The sound of the weather outside
risked being a distraction, or even spooking the black mare.  And yet, it seemed that luck was on
their side today- two minutes before they were called into the arena, the weather took a break,
and a little sunbeam even managed to peek out among the clouds.  Anna cracked a rare smile at
the sight of it.  She wasn't superstitious, but even so, it felt like a good omen.

"Now dance, my pretty, dance."

---

I was devastated at having to draw a double bridle because those are always black and Ludkhannah requires brooown but then google told me Minna Telde rides Don Charly in brown tack on GP level so I'm excused >8D  Also, drawing glass is difficult and I don't know why I do this to myself.

If Saigon is the stable's red queen, I think Ludkhannah might be the black swan.

^{Art and characters © Helsinge
Ref: www.flickr.com/photos/marcuski…}