Hiccup Holiday Havoc: Let's be Jolly

"Tony, you are BOTH going to get tummy aches!" scolded 9-year-old Teagan as her twin brother unwrapped two more peppermints. He popped one into his mouth with a defiant smirk and offered the other, flat-palmed, to Hiccup.

Teagan sighed dramatically and returned her attention to the Icelandic pony’s mane. She was carefully weaving candy canes and ornaments into the immense fluff. “Rockin’ around the Christmas tree….mm-hmm hmm-hmm-hmm, Dancin’ merrily…” she sang happily as she worked. She didn’t really remember all the words.

 Hiccup strained against the crossties to reach another offering from the small boy’s outstretched mitten. The movement of his neck yanked a half-finished strand right out of Teagan’s hands. "Tony!" she cried.

 "What's the fuss about, now?" came a grandmotherly voice. Cassidy Mortimer, as usual, had shown up at just the right time.

 "Tea's bein' bossy," muttered Tony under his breath. Cass didn't hear. She brushed the snowflakes out of her greying hair and set down the plastic bag she’d just retrieved from their trailer.

 "Oh, what a beautiful job you've done!” she said, pacifying them.

 "Thanks, Gran. Did you bring the garlands?" piped Tony.

 “And the coco?” chimed in Teagan.

 “Both here.” Cass smiled. She passed them each steaming Thermos in turn, then began to rummage through the bag of costume parts. Hiccup rubbed his nose against Tony's pocket in search of more treats. Tony waited until his sister was distracted to slip the pony another candy.

 "Here you are," Cassidy handed over the popcorn string garland the kids had made during the car ride. "Share with your brother, now."

Together, the pair excitedly decorated Hiccup. Cass watched them carefully ("Don't wrap it around his legs, dears – you wouldn't want him to trip!") but the pony appeared to be on his best behavior for once. When they were through, she lifted Tony up so he could add the finishing touch - a headband with a star for the top of their "Christmas tree".

 Teagan giggled into her pink gloves. "He's perfect!"

 Hiccup snorted his agreement, swishing his bedangled tail.

Teagan and Tony took turns holding Hiccup's lead rope in the waiting area (five minutes per turn, which Teagan timed to the second). Tony's stash of candy had been discovered and confiscated, but they passed around the coco many times. Teagan worried over the other horses and their costumes, analyzing which ones she thought the judges would like. In her young heart the childish desire to win burned fiercely. Tony, being less ambitious, simply enjoyed the sight of the beautiful horses and general atmosphere of holiday cheer.

When their turn came, Teagan bounced on the balls of her feet as she and her brother leaned on the fence. Their Grandma Cass turned Hiccup loose, and the pony needed no persuasion to show the judges a lively trot. On his owner's cue, he leapt into a canter with a tiny buck for good measure. He held his head high with what she could only imagine was a self-satisfied expression.

Their session went smoothly, but catching Hiccup proved a bit more problematic. The little stallion was enjoying himself and his spotlight far too much to give it up without a fight. It took three tries to successfully fasten the halter around his head. Cass hoped their positive start would make up for it.

Merry Christmas, Hiccup, you little whirlwind.

***

Entry for WEG Holiday Havoc Mini Show

Horse's Name: Hiccup

Handler: Cassidy Mortimer, with much help from her grandchildren Teagan and Tony Mortimer

Stable: 

Song of choice: Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee

Merry [early] Christmas!

[Edit] We got 5th place!