A Run In The Woods

It's done This is what's been keeping me busy the past few days - you guys like it? I decided that because I couldn't make one big drawing (my scanner is too small ) I'd make two drawings, scan them separately, then paste them together. Hence the little... line running down the middle and the difference in colours in the background It was lots of fun to make, though it did test my patience. Without further ado...

Update: I just realized that Emmy doesn't have a girth...

>>STORY<<

Rush stopped as he and Joachim rounded a bend, and turned around in his saddle. There was a long stretch of flat, trodden-down path ahead of them that reached out into a clearing and then beyond, back into the hollow of trees.
"To the clearing?" he suggested, pointing ahead. Joachim judged, then nodded.
"Line up here," Rush said, beckoning to the place to his left.
"Vat, I don't get a head start? Zat's no fair," Joachim complained, halting Emmy beside him. Rush chuckled.
"Alright, go ahead. I'll give you ten seconds, how does that sound?" he agreed. Joachim hesitated, then said, "fifteen."
"Deal," Rush nodded, and he started counting. Joachim dug his heels into Emmy's sides, surprising the mare, and the jumped forward into a springy trot, ears back. Joachim sat and urged her into a canter, clenching his jaw as he heard Rush call out "ten!". He raised himself out of the saddle, giving Emmy a bit more rein, and the mare lengthened her stride, starting to understand he wanted her to run.
"Fifteen!" Rush called out and a thunder of hooves came after Joachim. Emmy heard, pinned her ears back, and threw herself forward. Joachim grinned.
"Go on, girl, almost zere," he whispered, giving her just a little bit more rein. The trees and moss were a blur of colour now, and Joachim's hair flew out behind him. Suddenly, however, all hopes of winning were wiped away as Rush and Claire galloped by them with ease.
"No fair!" Joachim called out, nudging Emmy's sides gently to keep her going. The mare didn't need to be asked twice, but she just couldn't catch up with the other two, who had merged in ahead of them. They kept going until the clearing, where they started the slow, taking advantage of the large open space to circle their horses and calm them down.
"Nice try," Rush chuckled.
"What, I thought you'd let me win!" Joachim laughed, shaking his head while patting Emmy's neck. The mare was breathing heavily, nostrils flaring.
"It's a good challenge for you," Rush told him, then added, "I never lose on purpose. Means you can be ten times as proud when you do beat me."
"If I beat you," Joachim complained playfully, walking after him. Rush merely let out a, "Hmmmmm," before telling him, "we're almost to the lake."

Other Images: fav.me/d8o0bl6 and fav.me/d8otp7d

Horses: fav.me/d8krraq and fav.me/d8i9wzu
Riders: fav.me/d8k2gi2 and fav.me/d8jwu1w
References used for horses and riders: fav.me/d7q6prq and fav.me/d7q6ps4
Reference used for background: None