A good Rider can Ride any Horse

[Bruce Ropata]

At the end of the last lesson, Bruce had told his students that they were responsible for bringing their own mounts to class, and that it was up to them if they brought the ponies ready to be ridden or not, but they were to bring their grooming kit and halter if they did bring them ready to ride, so that they could be properly taken care of after the ride and led back to the barns to make sure that they were properly cooled down, as the last thing he needed was for one of the mounts to tie-up. And, because of this, he only led the six ponies who were to be assigned to the new students to their yards that day, their gear already there waiting for them as he had brought that over earlier, sitting on a piece of tarp that was then pulled over the top to keep it dry from the damp air. He put ponies into their yards and removed the halters so that he could go and prepare the arena for that day's game. With eight riders, he could split the class into two teams of four.

After setting up two lanes of four bending poles, so that the students could use them for warming up, if they wished to do so. He then brought out eight cones and placed them in between the lanes of bending poles, level with each of the four poles. He then grabbed a bucket and placed a tennis ball on top of each cone. The next things he pulled out of the equipment shed were two poles that were cemented into a tyre, with a net at the top of the pole. These he placed on the 2 yard (1.8m) mark at the changeover end. The nets were at a height where the people on the taller ponies/horses would be able to just place their ball in, whereas the riders on the smaller ponies would have to stand in their stirrups and really stretch, possibly having to toss the ball, to get it in.

As the students began to arrive, he smiled and greeted them, inviting them to begin warming their mounts up when they were ready. A male and female student arrived without a mount and these two he gave his full attention to. "Tēnā kōrua, Caleb and Anneliese." He greeted warmly, using his native language of Maori to greet them. "If you follow me, I'll introduce you to your new friends." He led them over to the yards and stopped at the yard of a grey Highland Pony mare. "Anneliese, this is Fallen Blossom, or Yoko as she is known around the barn. Don't be put off by her chubbiness. She's surefooted, and friendly, but she can also be stubborn and is known to get a little excited before competitions. I'll leave you two to get acquainted. Once you have her saddled up, take her to the arena and start warming up." He then led Caleb over to the yard of bay tobiano, Arab, Thoroughbred mare. "Caleb, this is Dazzling Grace, also known as Grace. Her personality is as beautiful as her looks. She can have her off days, but they aren't very often, with that said though, she will test you until she has decided how skilled you are in the saddle. Again, I'll leave you to get to know each other. Bring her to the arena when you are ready." He had put the young boy on the tallest of his ponies (yes, she's a horse, but he refers to all of the games mounts as ponies), as he knew all about teenaged boy's and their growth spurts and he didn't want Caleb to bond with one mount just for him to shoot up over night and need another.

Riders
→Becca Walsh -- (Chris)
→@calebm -- (Grace)
→@lisa -- (Pop)
→Cortney Smit -- (Mo)
→@john -- (Rocky)
Kennedy Hunt -- (Ripple)
→Serenity Oliver -- (Pixie)
→@william -- (Fern)
→@jasper32 -- (Ish)

[Cortney Smit]

After her equestrain classes were over, Cortney left White Oak and headed toward Red Willow. Since they had been asked to prepare their own mounts for Games, she chose to get Mo ready in the barn. "You're going to stay here today, Dolly." She told the young Ragdoll as she slid Mo's halter over his nose and led him from the stall. She laughed as all the cat did was stretch, yawn and curl up in the corner of the stall where a stream of light was coming in through the window.

As soon as the flaxen chestnut gelding was ready, she put his halter over the bridle, grabbed his grooming kit and led him toward the Mounted Games arena. "Afternoon, Mr Ropata." She greeted the handsome teacher with a bright smile. Leading Mo over to his yard, she placed the grooming kit on the ground beside a fence post and removing his halter, she hung it over the gate and led the gelding into the arena. "Stand" She said softly as she tightened the girth, pulled the stirrups down and vaulted into the saddle, she then began warming the gelding up.

As she rode the placid pony around the arena, she looked at the things that had been set up. Weaving the gelding through the bending poles, she took a closer look at the cones and net, noting the tennis balls on the cones. She then took Mo back onto the rail and asked for a canter.

When happy that he was warmed up, she took him off the rail and reined him in, wanting to have some fun. Leaning forward in the saddle, she took a handful of mane and loosened the reins. "Up." She said and grinned from ear to ear as the gelding reared up, remaining on his back legs as he pawed the air and returned to the ground. "Good boy!" She praised the pony as she rubbed his neck. She then took him back to the rail and continued moving him around until they were called into the centre.

[Serenity Oliver]

As soon as her equestrian classes were over, and her mares were both settled in the pastures, she headed into White Oak and down to Pixie's stall, taking the time to stop and talk to Dragan on the way past. She loved the fact that her brother had picked up an Appaloosa with such an appropriate name for the boy. Leaving the gelding, she walked on down to the rose grey mare she rode for Mounted Games.

Once the mare was ready, the girl led the mare to the games arena, with halter and grooming kit in hand. After dropping off the halter and kit, she led the mare into the arena, greeting the teacher as they walked passed. Pulling the stirrups down, she tightened the girth and vaulted into the saddle. Slipping her feet into the stirrups, she used her legs and seat to ask the mare to walk forward.

Taking her time in warming the mare up, she used the time to take a look around the arena and show the mare everything that had been set up, so that there was no chance of her spooking at anything once the lesson actually started. "There's a good girl, Pixie." She whispered to the mare as she rubbed her shoulder. She trotted and cantered the mare in figure of eights, asking her to counter canter and then perform a flying change.

[Deleted]

Adrianna was in the Red Willow Barn, a barn that was mostly unfamiliar to her, since Moo was in White Oak. Her mount for Mounted Games, Fern, stood in the cross-ties, looking forlornly at the bale of hay that was just a bit too far out of her reach. Ria finished grooming the mare, then dropped the grooming kit on top of the coveted bale, walking towards the tack room. She returned with the mare's tack, and put everything in place quickly, laughing as Fern took a step forward as soon as the cross ties were released. She held her ground, keeping the mare from the bale, and grabbed her helmet quickly, as well as the grooming kit, "Fatty."

She led the mare out to the mounted games arena, grinning at Mr. Ropata as she came within hailing distance, "Hi, Mr. Ropata!" She dropped off the excess gear by one of the yards, then buckled on her helmet and led Fern into the arena, where Cortney and Serenity were already warming up. After mounting, she asked the mare to walk along the track, looking at the poles and other things that had been set up, trying to get their measure before she incorporated it into her warmup.

[Deleted]

While they had had the option of preparing their mounts in front of the Mounted Games arena, John didn't feel like dragging Rocket's gear all of the way down, possibly getting it dirty, only to follow with the gelding. Thus, he groomed the gelding in his stall instead, and when pony and boy left the barn, it was with the Connemara already tacked up and ready to go.

After dropping the grooming kit, halter, and lead rope by one of the yards, the one which Rocky usually inhabited, he led the gelding towards the arena, checking the girth before mounting up. After a few rounds of walking and trotting, John approached the bending poles, first letting Rocky walk through them, to get a feel for how the gelding was mood-wise that day, then again at a trot. After that, he asked Rocky back to the track, where he worked at the canter, prepared to let his 'rocking horse' get all of the bucks out. Strangely, however, they didn't come.

Slightly concerned, because he was worried that the bucks would come during the games, John had Rocky weave through the poles at a canter, although he didn't turn and go back, letting the gelding circle wide, before it was back to the rail at a trot.

[Deleted]

Caleb stalked back up to his room after the last of his classes to grab his jacket since this colder weather was not agreeing with him at all. He slipped it on then rapidly descended from the stairs and out the doors of his 'house'. His pace was slow as he walked across the school to the arena for the mounted games. As he approached he could see John with his horse which sent a wave of relief over him. Caleb wasn't quite sure if mounted games was something he wanted to be caught doing but he really didn't feel like caring.

He greeted the instructor with a smile, finding the language the man used absolutely intriguing. Caleb followed behind as Mr. Ropata introduced the other girl to her horse and then up to his own. He wasn't kidding, Grace was a very stunning horse and was thankful her personality was the same. Caleb offered a thanks for bringing him to his mount then went inside the yard with her. It didn't take long to get Grace prepared for the games and he led her out to the arena to warm up with the others.

Grace followed his commands very well which pleased him so he slowed her down from the lope and let her walk around the ring until everything started.

[Becca Walsh]

    Becca decided to get Chris ready in the barn, which was much more convenient, and she was glad that she had been offered the choice. It was mucky outside, and she was sure that the gelding would appreciate this as well. She spent her time grooming the pony until he was as clean as she could get him, and then tacked him up. Grabbing his halter, brush box, and lead before leaving, she lead him down to the mounted games arena and found a place for these items before entering. Once inside the ring, she mounted Chris.

    Warming up the gelding was one of Becca's favorite parts of her mounted games class, as odd as it seemed. She liked being able to relax with the pony and ride, as this was not something she could do when playing the games or with Frye. The games were competitive and fast paced, while riding with Frye required her to always be on edge and perfectly on top of her game. Now, as she warmed up Chris, she was reminded once more of how nice it was to be able to ride a laid balk horse. Riding Rabbit had always been relaxing for her, but the gelding hadn't suited her needs, so he was now an academy horse.

[Deleted]

Kennedy wasn't late, she didn't think. From where she was walking towards the arena, she could see a few riders warming up their mounts, but it didn't look like the class had really begun yet. She had never done mounted games and wondered what it was like, how fun it was, and if she'd make any new friends. She wondered if the teacher was kind or strict.

Kenna entered the arena and ducked around and between the horses and riders, looking for the instructor. She finally spotted him and made her way towards him confidently, schedule in hand. In case he didn't believe her when she told him she was new and in his class.

She stopped just to the left of the man and cleared her throat to get his attention, unfolding her schedule and holding it out. Her long red hair was tied back in a braid and she wore proper riding clothes. The only thing improper about her appearance were the diamond dangle-earrings that hung in her ears.

"Hello," She said warmly, "I'm Kennedy Hunt. I'm supposed to be in your class, Mr...?" She left it hanging for a moment, waiting for his name, "Oh, I go by Kenna, if you don't mind."

[Deleted]

Catia walked to the mounted games arena where her class was being held. She wasn't late and it seemed she was one of the earlier students to arrive to the class. Catia walked into the arena and carefully avoided the horses so she wouldn't be in way of the students warming up. Catia glanced around looking for the instructor. She spotted him after looking for the instructor for a few seconds. 

Catia walked led over to the instructor were another girl was speaking with him as well. Catia guessed that the other girl was new to the Academy. Catia's brown hair was in a long braid. She had on black schooling breeches and a purple long sleeve shirt. Her hair was pulled back so the diamond earrings in her ears sparkled when the sun hit them just right. Catia's charm bracelet was on and her gold Russian Orthodox necklace was resting above her chest against the purple shirt. Though some may think that gold, silver and diamonds don't go together Catia thought otherwise. Her charm bracket was hidden under the sleeve of her shirt though so no one could probably even see the bracelet. 

Catia waited for for the other girl to finish speaking before speaking to the instructor. "Hello sir. I'm Catia Iltchenko and my schedule says I'm supposed to be in your class." Catia said her voice was warm. 

[Deleted]

 After all of her classes, Evan walked to the outdoor arena to do her mounted games lesson, she did not know who her mount would be for the games as it was her first time but she was looking forward to meeting and riding a new pony s it was a new experience of riding a different pony from her mare, Dreams. She was wearing a heavier jacket as the weather was not agreeing with her. She walked closer to the arena and saw people riding their mounts. An awful feeling hit Evan, maybe she did not want to do the mounted games but the feeling vanished quickly as it had appeared. She greeted the instructor with a smile and a "hello". She watched as the girl and the boy got introduced to their mounts. When Evan finally got introduced to her mount she could not have been happier, Bonnie was a beautiful mare and she looked quite spoilt with her head held high but it did not bother Evan after all she could change that by riding her.

 She took Bonnie inside the yard and prepare her for the games and then she walked with Bonnie to the arena where she mounted and started warming up before being called back by Mr Ropata.

[Deleted]

 Zak walked to the mounted games arena quickly so he was not late. He had never done mounted games before and he thought now would be a great time to start. He had grabbed his jacket and put it on when he was in his 'house' because it looked like cold weather. He did not think he was really late as he noticed everyone was just warming up. He walked into the arena trying to spot the instructor. When Zak found him he explained that it was his first time at mounted games. When he got introduced to his mounted games pony he stoked the mare's neck and said hello to her. Ish was her name and she did not seem any older than his mare, Pleasure. He walked Ish to the yard and got her prepared for the games.

 When they were ready he walked the mare to the arena and vaulted onto her and started warming her up by doing figure of eights in trot then canter. Ish seemed to do anything that Zak asked of her so Zak praised her and then kept walking until the instructor was ready to start the lesson. Zak could not wait to start.

[Bruce Ropata]

Just as he was about to enter the arena and get things started, as he felt he had waited long enough, Bruce suddenly had four students at his side. He listened as each of them introduce themselves. He had the one advantage that other teachers didn't have, he got to know what each of the students looked like before they joined his class so that he could match them to a pony - to the best of his ability - so he already had a picture to match the faces to. "Tēnā koutou, tamariki." He said with a smile. "You all have a knack for arriving just on time." After all, he wasn't about to punish a group of new students. "If you follow me, I will introduce you to your new friends."

He led the group of four over to the yards, first stopping at that of a grey Welsh cross. "Kenna, this is Rip Van Winkle, or Ripple. He's the picture of a grumpy old man while in his stall, or yard, and is known to nip. Do note I say nip, not bite. Put a saddle on him though and he's a completely different pony, though he will turn around and nip your toes if you make him stand still for longer then he feels is necessary, only ever his handler, or rider, never another pony. One last thing, those earrings must come out before you mount up, and I don't want to see anything like them again at this arena or you won't be riding that day." He then moved the group on. The next yard had a buckskin tobiano Arabian, pony cross "Catia, this is Copper Gold, or Pop. He's as bombproof as mounted games ponies can be. However, he has the biggest competitive streak, and if he feels his rider is confident enough, he'll throw his everything into the games." Then he moved on to the yard of a flaxen chestnut New Forest. "Evangeline." All he had to go for with a name was the photo he had with her notes that he's been given. "This is Beyond Fortune, or Bonnie. She's the perfect drama Queen, her stuff always has to be clean - which isn't a problem because it always will be as everyone will clean their gear after every ride - and if you're doing something she doesn't want to do, she'll put the brakes on." He shrugged. "She's fifteen, and I've had her for two years with some of the best riders working with her, she's rather set in her ways, but it also makes her a great mounted games pony, because that's the only time she'd rather go forward then stop." He then led the male to the yard of a silver dapple Rocky Mountain Pony. "Zachary." Again, all he could go by was a photo and the name on a piece of paper. "This is Irish Wish, or Ish. She is a very sweet pony who only need the lightest of aids. She doesn't like heavy hands or legs, but was trained by a gentle student so she won't react badly."

He stepped back and addressed the four students. "If you had been earlier, I would like to have given you time to get to know your mounts, but I now need them tacked up and you in the arena warming them up pronto."

He walked back to the arena called over the riders who were already warming up. "Ok, I'm going to split you into two teams of three. Cortney, Reni, Caleb, you will make team A. Ria, John, Becca, you will be team B. Today, you are going to play a game called High-Lo. The first rider will ride all the way to the net, all four of their mount's feet must be on the other side of the line, and put or throw their ball into the net. If you miss the net, you can dismount and then just put it in the net while dismounted. Once it has gone in, the rider rides back, collects a tennis ball from a cone and return to their team." He waited for the two teams to sort themselves out and handed the first rider a tennis ball. "Ready, set... GO!" While the team went through the race, he split his attention between them and the riders warming up.

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OOC: You may have noticed from my reply, Bruce wasn't in the arena. He would hardly be standing in the middle of the arena when he knew he was waiting on students. Also, the ponies were already in the yards waiting for their riders.

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To give you a visual idea of what I'm talking about:

[Cortney Smit]

While she warmed up her cheeky gelding, it didn't slip past the cheer captain's notice when a group of students arrived at the arena. They had been warming up for a while, so she hoped that these new students got a bit of a punishment for keeping them waiting.

She rode Mo into the middle of the arena as they were called in and cued him to halt, a grin slipping her face as he skidded to a sudden halt and she leaned forward and gave him a hug. "You make a good trick pony." She told him with a laugh as she sat up and listened as they were split into groups.

She looked at Serenity and Caleb, taking charge of the group in an instant. "If no one objects, I'll ride first. Mo's full of it, and I wouldn't want to get us disqualified from him crossing the line early." She lined the gelding up behind the start line and graciously accepted the tennis ball from their instructor. She then moved her weight forward in the saddle, holding on with her knees and at the command, she released her hold on the reins and allowed the spunky horse to shoot forward.

She applied a little pressure on the reins as they approached the changeover line and cued him to spin around just as they reached the net. Standing in the stirrups, she pitched the ball lightly and cringed as it bounced on the rim, but she cheered as the ball went into the net. Cuing the gelding again, they shot back toward their friends. Shifting the reins into her left hand, and grabbing handful of mane as well, she didn't slow the pony as she leaned down, out of the saddle and scooped up a tennis ball. Pulling on the mane to right herself, she sat up as she approached her team and held the ball out for Serenity to take it as they shot past.

Reining the gelding in, she turned him around and rode back to where Caleb sat on Grace. "Reni, Reni, she's our girl! If she can't do it, no one will!!" She cheered, standing in her stirrups and waving pretend pom poms.

[Serenity Oliver]

Serenity had Pixie working beautifully on the bit, not exactly what was needed right now, but the girl didn't see the point in discouraging the mare for working beautifully well rounded and from behind. She kept the mare in a working trot as they rode circles and figures of eight, and then at the next corner, she pushed the mare into a canter, which Pixie struck off perfectly.

She transitioned down to a walk when they were called in and she headed over to their instructor. She listened as they were broken into groups. She remained silent as Cortney took the job of being group leader and she bowed her head when the older girl said she wanted to go first. Reni wasn't new to mounted game, but she didn't like going first either.

She lined her mare up and watched as the cheerleader raced her gelding through the event, her eyes widening as the girl leaned out of the saddle at pretty much a gallop and grabbed a ball. She closed her hand around the offered ball and squeezed Pixie forward. The mare knew her job and shot across the line at a gallop.

Reaching the net was easy, and Reni stood in her stirrups to reach up and toss the ball in, thanking the Gods when it went in straight away. She then turned the mare and they headed back. At the cones, she slowed the mare down to an easy canter before she leaned down and scooped up a ball. Squeezing the mare back into a gallop, she headed back to where Caleb was waiting.

After passing the ball over, she allowed the mare to continue on before transitioning back to a walk and heading over to watch the last of Caleb's ride. "Thanks for the cheer." She said as she asked Pixie for a halt.