Slow and Steady

[Brian Setliff]

Brian walked into the classroom that he had managed to borrow, a stack of papers in his hands. After propping the door open for any of his students searching for the room, he moved to the teacher's desk and began to separate the papers, putting stacks of each different sort onto the wooden surface. He had decided that he would rather do the introductory lesson in the classroom, because outside it was usually too hot, and they wouldn't be working with their horses just yet anyway. Today was to get them ready for the next day, the competition that he would be hosting.

After he had gone through all of the different papers, which included a map of the route and some basic tips for beginners among other things, all on various coloured sheets, he began putting together packets which included one of each, then set them out on the middle seats of the front two rows. Once the task was completed, he had nothing left to do but wait for his students, and he did so, sitting on the edge of his desk, and greeted each one as they entered, guessing their names from his (short) roster, although he didn't speak them, in case he was wrong.

@neigh
Amelia DeFoe
@calebm
@rhythm
@shiori

[Deleted]

Dressed simply in jeans and a red T-shirt, Jason took his time getting to the classroom where the information for the trail clinic was held. He had left his dorm early solely for the purpose of wandering the campus and enjoying the slight breeze and warm sun. It wouldn't be long before temperatures became uncomfortable, but by then, Jason would be indoors anyway.

The rising senior was excited for the competitive trail clinic, more so than any of the others he had signed up for. He hadn't known anything about the sport when he had written his name down, but it had sounded like fun. He had done a little bit of reading since then, just enough so that he understood the basic idea.

Jason found the correct room and walked in. He smiled at the tall man already inside and returned the greeting. He didn't really mind being the only student in the room, but hoped that the others would arrive soon. He assumed that the papers on the desks was for the students, but he glanced over at the man in confirmation as he took a packet and sat down at a desk. "I don't think we've ever met. I'm Jason." He said, feeling the silence a little too heavy.

[Amelia DeFoe]

Amy glanced at the vest that she was holding, wishing that she didn't have to put it on Wolf, but the past week had taught her, rather painfully, that the sturdy handle it offered still was a lot of help, which the weather necessitated she use once in a while... Or her own inattention, but that was another matter. At least today they would be in an air-conditioned room, and Wolf wouldn't be too hot with the vest.

After settling the matter and putting Wolf on his leash, she grabbed her backpack, which held a notebook and pencil just in case, before she headed out of her room and towards the equine theory classes. She'd been interested in the class more because it included the word 'trail', not so much because she knew what she was in for, but hopefully, it would be cleared up soon enough.

She found the classroom without any trouble and looked around the room, noting the two males, before she saw that none of the seats against the wall seemed to be an option, as the packets were only on six of the desks in the middle front seats. Choosing the furthest from the door, she looped around behind the desks rather than walk between the males, settling in her seat and asking Wolf to lay down on the side that had no neighbour. As she waited for the class to begin, she flipped through the papers on the desk, until the teacher began speaking.

[Brian Setliff]

Brian inclined his head to the male that was the first to enter the room, nodding at the implied question about the packets, which he'd put on the desks for the students to take when they'd chosen a seat. When he spoke, Brian smiled easily, "Welcome to CTR, Jason. Feel free to call me Brian." He paused, then added, "I think most students would feel the same way about me, I work in Brown Orchid and don't really have much to do with students apart from trying to keep the stallions away from them as much as possible." For the safety of the students, of course, because some of the stallions got tricky around anyone.

As he was talking to Jason, a girl entered with a dog at her side. Brian was taken aback slightly, not having been told about the service dog in their class, but he recovered quickly and inclined his head to her, noting her discomfort and allowing her to choose her seat without speaking to her.

After a few minutes past the scheduled time, he looked at the two students, a frown on his face, "Well, I was expecting a small class, but there were supposed to be a few more of you guys in here. At this rate, it's hardly going to be a competition." However, he didn't want to waste their time much more, almost a punishment for those that were on time, so he began, "Well, anyway. So, today the plan was just to go over some information about tomorrow, and to answer any questions you might have about CTR."

He held up a salmon-coloured sheet, which held a printed map of the course, "The run we're doing tomorrow is relatively straight-forward. It's seventeen miles, which should take you about four to five hours, although I'll be revealing the target time when you get there tomorrow. This map shows you the path you'll be taking along the Green Hill Trails, although the trail will also be marked clearly, with blue ribbons, so just follow those if you get lost. The circle you see will be the start and finish line, and the asterisk is where your vet check will be."

Next, he shuffled to a mint-green sheet, "This is your packing list, and what not to bring. You're going to want plenty of water, but not enough to weigh down your horse. Any type of saddle is okay, although I'd suggest something you'll be comfortable in, if you have the choice. Regards bridle, you're fine in whatever you usually use, although in the spirit of a true CTR ride, boots are going to be prohibited. Other than that, make sure your helmet has a brim, because the trail does pass through some sunny areas. Throughout the ride, you'll be near a river that your horse can drink from, including at the vet check, so you don't have to worry about that."

He looked at his papers, then back at the students, holding up the last sheet, lilac in colour, "And this one is just what I'm expecting of you tomorrow, where to be, when to be there, and the like." He tried to discern any confusion on the faces, but fell back to asking, "Okay, that's all I really have for you guys regarding that. Now, I could give you a whole lecture on CTR, which you'd probably hate, or I can just let you guys ask what you'd like, so we're going to do the latter. Any questions for me, about me, about CTR, about what you need or what I want from you?"

Second Call, late to class:
@neigh
@calebm
@shiori

[Deleted]

Amber was walking to the classroom, when her cell phone vibrated.  She picked it up and saw that it was her brother.  She couldn't just not answer for him, and she had several minutes before she had to be there, so she answered.  She kept her on the phone for a little while, until she eventually told him that she was almost late for the Competitive Trial Riding Meeting, which she had hoped she wouldn't have to mention because she didn't want him to be jealous, which he was.  She let him explain about how that sounded like fun and he wanted to go , and then she apologized, promised to call him back later and said goodbye.  After she hung up the phone, she turned it off, wishing that she had done that earlier.  

Amber glanced at her watch and saw that she was late, but at least she was almost there.  She hurried, walking quickly to the classroom.  She walked in while the teacher was talking and glanced at the other students, hoping that coming in a little late didn't make her look like a complete moron.  She sat down next to Amy and and listened to the teacher, hoping that she hadn't missed much.  When he asked if anybody had any questions, she didn't ask any because she didn't want to ask something that had been covered before she got here. 

[Deleted]

Jason turned his attention to each paper as Brian explained them. He tried to tell from the map where exactly he would be riding, but after the first few bends he was lost. Thank goodness for the blue ribbons, then. Looking through the green paper next, Jason was fairly certain that he could fit it all into the saddle bags. He decided, however, to pack immediately after he left this classroom in order to give him enough time to deal with anything that couldn't fit. He glanced over the light purple paper, doing his best to discreetly enter the starting time and place into his phone.

Jason looked over the papers again as the man finished. He had long before decided to use his more worn all-purpose saddle, and had some saddlebags that he had used with it as well. He had done a little bit of conditioning with Tickle, plus the gelding had been in good shape to begin with. Reading the packing list once more, a thought struck him. "Will we be able to re-fill water bottles at the vet check?" He asked. Water was of utmost importance, and Jason needed to know how much space he should allot to the liquid.

[Amelia DeFoe]

Amy leaned forward against her desk as she listened to the teacher, but as he started explaining the papers, she flipped through them, looking at each as he spoke about it. She glanced to her side as someone approached, seeing Amber and relaxing only the smallest fraction at it being someone that she knew. However, she didn't speak to the other girl, rather focusing as Mr. Setliff pulled out the next sheet of paper and started going over it.

When asked about questions, she didn't speak up, although there were a few she could think of. The biggest one, at least, the only boy in the class asked, nicely enough, so she didn't have to speak up, but the rest... She'd have to spend the rest of the day doing some researching, because there was no way that she was asking, even in this small of a class.

At least, Wolf would be able to drink from streams, although she would have to think about this. If they were going that far... Wolf might not be able to keep up, and she didn't want to ask Tommy to carry the dog. Anyone that hadn't been in her place might have suggested she leave the dog at the starting line, but that wasn't an option. The canine would have to stay with her, and if that meant she couldn't race, she wouldn't race.

[Brian Setliff]

Brian nodded briefly as he saw a third student entering while he was getting started, making note of what he'd have to tell her after class, to make sure that she got the information, although most of it was on the papers he'd handed out.

After he'd finished speaking, he looked at the tiny class, nodding as Jason spoke up. The boy seemed the most open of his students, which was nice. At least one of them seemed to be able to open their mouth, which made the class a little bit more bearable. "Yes, I'll make sure that there's a station to refill your bottles, as well as a few bottles just in case something happens along the way. It might not be too cold, because I don't want anyone cramping up, but I'll try to find a way that it's not tea temperature either." He paused, then added, "If you're trying to figure out water, I would say plan at least two litres for each half, three'd be better if you can manage it, but I realize that your horses won't be as conditioned, and don't want them burdened down too much."

He paused, then added, "Any preferences on juices or drinks for the finish line? I was planning on getting some Powerades and such, but if there's any flavours you would prefer, now's the time to speak."

After that'd been covered, he clasped his hands together, but before he released the class, he pointed at the blonde girl (Amber), "All you missed, it's going to be about seventeen miles, mostly trot, but with plenty of time to walk in between. Your target time is going to be somewhere between four and five hours, and you'll get a specific time tomorrow. It's all on that salmon sheet, though."

Turning his attention back to the class, he grinned, "If there's no more general questions, you're free to go, just show up tomorrow. Anything specific you might want to discuss in private, you're welcome to come up to me and ask."

[Deleted]

"Ok.  Thanks" she said.  She was grateful, and surprised, that he had taken the time to tell her.  She expected him to be annoyed that she was late and ignore her.  "Um... sorry I was late."  She wondered if she should explain herself, but she decided not to because it really didn't seem like a phone call was a a good reason to be late, especially since it wasn't even an important one, although it was an important person.

She waited while he dismissed everyone and then she left and sat down on the nearest beach and read the packet.  When she was done and she felt like she understood everything, she picked up her cell phone and called her brother back.  He picked up right away and asked to know how the meeting went and wanted to know all about Competitive Trail Riding.  She explained everything to him and then he wanted to know if there were any mountains on the course.  "No.  I think just hills" she answered.   She knew that he was just looking out for her, because she was sensitive to altitude, but she was pretty sure that there weren't any mountains around here, because she would probably be able to see them if there were.  

After that was cleared up he asked if she would have enough time to stop to catch her breath if she needed to.  She hadn't thought about that, but she often stopped to catch her breath while riding, which he had never seemed to mind but apparently took great notice of.  "Um... I don't know" she answered and she really didn't want to go and ask about that because she didn't like the reactions she often got from people when they first heard that she only had one lung, but her brother threatened to tell their parents and have one of them call the school.  She almost threatened to tell their parents something that could get him into big trouble, but she didn't know what would happened if she exposed that and she worried that it might be really bad, so she didn't even threaten it.  "Fine" she reluctantly agreed.  She said goodbye, hung up and went back to the classroom to see if Mr. Setliff was still there.

[Deleted]

Jason nodded as his question was answered. Being able to refill water would give him more space for other things. He shrugged at the Brian's next question. "Eh, I don't have a preference. " As the man addressed the late student, Jason turned his head instinctively toward the girl being pointed at. When the class was dismissed, he stood and gathered his papers up. "Thanks, Brian. I'll see y'all tomorrow, then." He said as he made his way to the door. Given the silence of the girls, he didn't expect a response, but he would be friendly anyway.

He gave a smile to the blond-haired girl who was now talking on her cell phone. He made a quick pit stop at his dorm room to gather any items that he couldn't find at the barn, checking them off his list as he went. He found a large bag to put them in and resumed his walk to Red Willow. He set his bag down outside Tickle's stall and scratched his horse's nose before turning toward the tack room.

His saddlebags were conveniently stowed there as well, so Jason was able to carry what he wanted in one trip. The saddlebags were draped over the cantle of his saddle, wedged against his hip and supported by one hand. The other hand held a saddle stand. It took a minute to set it all up, but before long he was ready to begin. Tickle watched curiously as Jason began figuring out the best way to pack.

[Amelia DeFoe]

Amy continued to listen to the teacher as he spoke about various parts of the ride, although she was noticing that she had a hard time staying focused as she grew more certain that she would have to pull out anyway. And if she did, what was the use of listening? However, she stayed put and tried her best to remember what he was saying, although it was all about drinks and... Burdening down their horses, which didn't make her feel any better, although she knew that Amerigo would be fine with the full distance. Even before coming to her, he'd been used for endurance races, after all.

After they'd been released, she slipped out of the door, passing Amber, who seemed to be heading back inside to talk to the teacher again, and made her way to the White Oak Barn, to at least groom Amur, and consider what she had learned... And find a way to tell Mr. Setliff that she wouldn't be participating, most likely. She wondered briefly if teachers had boxes in the office, like her old school had, but then realized it would mean asking around in the office and thus, not being much better. Maybe a note on Rapunzel's door for Amber to take with her to the race's beginning?

[Brian Setliff]

Brian smiled as at least one of his students answered his question, "Alright. Then you'll get whatever I can find the easiest, or whatever's been left in the teacher fridges when I raid them, rather." A smile crossed his face, although he was very vague about his words being sarcastic or possibly... Not. Why should he go out to the town if there were some that he could 'borrow' without the hassle?

Okay, maybe that was a bad idea. Anyway. As the girl thanked him, and apologized for her tardiness, Brian nodded, "Try not to do it again tomorrow, okay? Today wasn't that big a deal." He was pleased that she didn't try to excuse herself for whatever had caused her tardiness, and had simply accepted that it had happened. As the class ended, he smiled at Jason, the only one whom he had found himself liking, "Not a problem. I'll see you tomorrow, Jason."

After all of the students had left, he began collecting the extra sheets of paper, from the desks that hadn't been used, sorting them back into their types, in case he needed them again. After gathering the pile together again and butting it straight, he turned towards the door to leave, but instead saw one of his students reentering the classroom. Smiling at the blonde, he asked, "What can I do for you? I didn't catch your name earlier?"

[Deleted]

Amber thought about it as she walked into the room. She wasn't sure how to explain this, but she was going to try. She was tempted to just walk away and not say anything, but she had promised her brother. She was already deceiving him by attempting to make friends. She felt bad about that and she really didn't want to to deceive him twice, and she certainly didn't need to.

She didn't like thinking about this, but he did have a point. She didn't want to get stuck not being able to make the time and getting disqualified because of it, or to get too out of breath trying not to stop or slow down.  Her and Rapunzel would have to walk part of the way anyway so they could probably just slow down to a walk and speed up again, at least she hoped that was the case.  She was also worried that if she told Mr. Setliff then she might not be allowed to do it at all, and that would be even worse.

"Um... Amber" she answered, nervously.  "Um... Mr. Setliff, I ah... have a problem."  She paused for a few seconds, thinking about what to say.  "When I'm riding any faster then a walk I often have to stop to catch my breath, because I um... have a single lung.  Would that be a problem?"

[Brian Setliff]

Brian nodded as the girl gave her name, noting her nerves and giving her what he hoped was a reassuring smile, "Fire away, although I'm sure we'll be able to work it out." He had horse issues covered, packing issues covered, what else could she throw at him? However, he listened to Amber in any case, ready to reassure her and offer a solution.

Or there was that. Something he'd never encountered before, but he didn't let his concern show. After all, she rode, right? It couldn't be too bad, "It might be with the time goal." He paused, gathering his thoughts, "I'm going to suggest some things, and you're welcome to tell me what you want, or suggest other things. You're all going to be getting radios anyway, so you can use that in case you need any help."

He considered anything else he could do, "In reality, your time goal is just that, a goal. Sure, no one hits it exactly, and I'm definitely not going to expect you to hit it. Just do your best, I'll tell Dr. Carr to note however much time you take at the vet check and pull that off of your time in any case. I don't see it a problem as you think you can handle eight and a half miles on your own, with only radio contact?" He would talk to the barn managers and see if they could offer some insight into the condition, that he'd never heard of, "But I guess I'll let you be the judge of that."

[Deleted]

Amber was worried about what his reaction would be.  Usually people were shocked to hear this and either thought that she couldn't do anything or sometimes accused her of lying.  Both of these reactions made her feel terrible so she tried to avoid telling people.  Her brother told her to dismiss these people as ignorant morons, and sometimes she could but not always.

Amber watched his reaction closely.  Mr Setliff seemed a little surprised, although not much, but he also looked like he was trying to hide something.  Amber wondered if he was more surprised then he was letting on but, even if he was, she appreciated that he didn't let it show and she liked the way that he handled the situation.  He seemed a little unsure of what to do, but he at least made it sound like it was something she could do.

"Well... I think I can do it, I'm just a little unsure" she told him.  She felt a little dumb for asking and wished that she hadn't bothered.  She didn't want to tell him that the only reason that she was asking in the first place was because of her annoying and overprotective brother.  That would just sound weird.