Common sense verses the consequences – words Carmel Rowley

What prompted me to fictionalise my visit to the All Nations Cup in 2004? I remember sitting in the stands and watching some of the most embarrassing and dangerous behaviour that I had ever seen at a horse show. The whole scene was so difficult to get my head around that I wondered if there was something in the air? If I was a science fiction writer an air pollutant  that altered peoples perception of the word dangerous could have been the track to take!  Sadly, what I was watching wasn’t fiction but maybe the pollutant was ego or the prestige of winning at such an important show. Could it also be the ever misguided lure of making money?

Two words pounded in my head  ‘common sense‘. So where has common sense gone?

Honestly, I still wonder what it is that  pushes the people who profess to love Arabian horses to continue to show them in such a bad light, when more than ever in 2013 breeders need customers,consumers, buyers  (all the same meaning) for the horses they continue breed? Isn’t life really about staying open to new experiences, meeting new people, making new friends and opening new doors? Why isn’t there a  universal drive by everyone involved and I mean everyone, to seduce the horse loving public into thinking they cannot live life without an Arabian horse.  Not so hard to do if you’re legitimately enthusiastic about the breed and truly love Arabian horses. I’ve written before about how infectious enthusiasm is.

In my fictional world the characters have had to learn hard life lessons just as we all do in the real world. So what happens to the horse? All I can say is; if you want to find out more about the enigmatic Masquil you’ll have to read the book …

‘The  Chestnut Stallion’ by Willa Frayser

www.willafrayserstudio.com 

 Excerpt  ‘Voices in the Wind’  by Carmel Rowley

“… The final horse entered the ring; it was the breathtaking

chestnut from earlier in the program. Marc lifted the camera

and began filming. Named Masquil, the horse was the

Arabian horse of legend, the type kings invaded countries to own.

Marc thought of the centuries-old words, ‘If thou hast

a dark chestnut, conduct him to combat …’ He shivered as if

someone had walked over his grave. Masquil was tall for an

Arabian, with a powerfully built body and compact muscles

rippling under his mirror-smooth skin. His carriage was proud

while his trot was light and lofty. The horse’s presence captivated

Marc, making it hard for him to concentrate on operating the camera.

Jessikah leant across to speak into Marc’s ear.

‘This is truly one of the most amazing horses I have ever seen.’

Marc smiled at the beautiful silhouette the stallion

presented, tail aloft, his tight agile body trotting with supreme

confidence beside his handler. He zoomed in the camera, taking

a close-up of Masquil’s face. Suddenly, Marc drew in a quick breath

and grabbed Jessikah’s hand. He had seen reckoning on the stallion’s face.”

You can purchase all three of the ‘Daughters of the Wind series including ‘Voices in the Wind at  http://www.carmelrowley.com.au/buyonline.html