Sleepy Hollow

Submission for the 2014 Creature Cabal

Taken from Washington Irving's classic tale about a little town in Virginia in the mid-nineteenth century. While peaceful and welcoming at first, there are rumors.
The legend says that in the civil war, a massive battle was fought in the woods nearby. One of the confederate generals was charging into the thick of it when a cannon took his head and claimed his life. When his body was found by the victorious Union, they unceremoniously threw his corpse in a mass grave. No markings. No head. No Justice.
Wo unto the traveler who decides to wander through the forest alone, for the horseman still seeks for a head. If seen, he will challenge the victim to a race. The first one to make it to the bridge out of the forest will be free.
Of course, when was the last time anybody won a race with a phantom?

Rendered in Photoshop