Noah walked proudly behind Lorraine like he’d been born to be a ponyboy. His muscles rippled with fluid and graceful movements as he unconsciously monopolized the attention of the audience.
To my surprise, there were more ponies and trainers emerging from the stables. But these ponies looked different from ours.
“Where did they come from?” I said, in some degree of shock.
Brian laughed. “From our sister ranch across the lake. Adam likes to present a variety of ponies at the shows. Sometimes our ponyboys perform at their ranch. The variety makes the shows more inclusive and exciting.”
“Sure,” I nodded, transfixed on the arena as Adam introduced the three ponygirls and their trainers. They wore tight corsets which pushed their bare, breasts up and out, with ties at the back to restrict their arms. They wore leather bit bridles with pony ears and face masks, butt-plug tails and leather crotch harnesses, with only straps to hide their sex. The ponygirls also wore high leather boots up to their knees with steel buckles, but the boots were not heeled, making it easier for them to perform their routines. I wondered why no attempt had been made to have them look like hooves and asked Brian.
“Adam doesn’t believe in the fancier trappings of pony-play ponies. He thinks they add unnecessary discomfort and a man or woman in leather fetish gear is as pony-like as one in a full body suit and horse head. He wants to emphasize the human aspect of pony play while still indulging the imagination of the participant. The bridle with ears and the butt-plug tail is all our ponyboys and girls need to get into the headspace. He feels like trying to have them look like real horses is useless when their humanity is what we celebrate here. He wants them to look like men and women who are playing at being ponies, for the fun and freedom of it. Which is exactly what they are.”
“Some people get off on the more animalistic costumes, but here we keep things simple. Also, full body horse costumes would be very hot to wear.” Brian nodded at the ring. “Now they’ll take them out the gate and bring them back pulling the carts.”
“Holy shit. Really?” I asked.
Callum nudged my shoulder. “Oh yeah. Now the fun begins. I wish I was in there today. They got beautiful weather and a good crowd.”
Brian was right. The ponies and trainers paraded out of the ring, and Adam spent a few moments speaking to the mandate of the BCR Ranch and its sister ranch and what their goals were—essentially to provide a positive place for kink expression in a beautiful setting with opportunities for members to indulge their voyeuristic pleasures when they stayed at the resort. The monthly pony shows were a hugely anticipated part of the resort experience and what made this ranch different and unique.
“And now, for your viewing pleasure, the ponyboys and girls will take their trainers around the ring in some beautiful carts!” Adam announced.
Buttercup entered the ring first, pulling a small sulky with Lorraine perched daintily in the seat, holding long reins attached to Noah’s bit. Seeing the handsome man I’d wounded earlier in such a position, dignified and debased at the same time, gave me a fluttery feeling in my chest and a very tight feeling in my pants. Noah looked like another creature entirely. Not a horse, but a prince or an ancient God. Something otherworldly with his leather pony ears, gold mask, and other accoutrements. An Egyptian hieroglyph come to life.
I watched the entire show with an ever-increasing need to gather Noah into my arms and tell him how beautiful he looked in his gear. I wanted to admit how much I was beginning to feel for him and how fascinated I was by Luke and by Luke and Noah’s relationship.
I watched the ponyboys and girls show off their strength and agility by running obstacle courses and races. Their trainers ordered them to walk and run and trot in front of the guest judges so they could be assessed for any number of qualities.
“What, exactly, are they being judged on?” I asked.
Brian shrugged. “Energy, enthusiasm, grace, comportment, obedience, and their overall look, I guess. Also, on the ability of the trainer and pony to work as a cohesive team. At least, I think those are the categories. Those are things the trainers emphasize when the ponyboys are learning.” He smiled. “I think your boy’s got this in the bag.”
I blushed. “My boy?”
“Oh, come on, Jensen. Noah’s head over heels for you. The way he came after you today…” Brian shook his head. “Don’t hurt him again, okay?”
I felt the heat in my cheeks as I watched Noah outshine the other young men and women in the show ring. “God, Brian, how could I? I can barely breathe, watching him.”
“He’s pretty special. I’m glad you got to see him perform.”
“Me too,” I said, feeling nauseous at the thought I’d almost missed this. This most secret, yet public part of Noah’s personality.
By the time things were beginning to wrap up and the contestants were assembling for the distribution of ribbons, four o’clock was approaching. The contestants were streaked with dirt and sweat, chests heaving from exertion.
One ponyboy in particular looked completely exhausted but held his head in his gold mask proudly, gazing right at me.
“Incredible, isn’t he?” A familiar voice said.
I turned, surprised to see Luke leaning on the rail beside me, dressed in jeans and chucks and a green button-down short-sleeve shirt.
My face split into a grin to see him there. “God, yes. He’s meant for this. They’re all great but there’s something about Noah.”
Luke gave me a slow smile. “I’m glad we agree.”
I looked him up and down, wondering if he still had on the pineapple briefs or his own boring blue ones. “So, Kamal turned you loose?”
Luke grinned. “Kind of.”
Hmm. “How’s your ass?” I couldn’t help asking.
