Daily Mail

[Bruce Ropata]

Bruce walked down to the mounted games arena leading three mares and four geldings, the rest of the ponies were the responsibility of the students that had been in his class previously, though these two mares were for students who had recently joined the academy.

Once the mares; Dazzle, Ish and Yoko, and geldings; Chris, Pop Rocky and Ripple, were comfortable in their yards with their grooming kits and gear in the small shed he for that exact purpose, he headed to the equipment shed and began to pull out the things he would need: a newspaper stand, two mail boxes and a bucket full of folded up papers. He didn't bring out any bending poles, as this game wouldn't need them and it would give the students a larger area of the arena to warm up in.

Clipping a bum-bag around his waist, which held the tokens he would be handing out to the students, he walked back to the front of the arena, he greeted the students as they arrived, asking the ones who had arrived with their mounts to enter the arena and start warming up. As soon as he had assigned his new students their mounts, he would get things started.

@running9
Cortney Smit
Danielle Green
Katja Eder
Serenity Oliver
@shailiel

[Cortney Smit]

Cortney danced her way down to the Red Willow barn, her cheer bag swinging at her side. She left the bag in Mo's locker, and grabbed the Welsh pony's things before she made her way down to his stall and began to get him ready for class.

Once they were both ready, she pulled the girth tight and bowed to the gelding. She clapped her hands as he bowed back before she jumped onto his back and squeezed him forward. She grinned at their instructor as she used her seat and legs to cue the flaxen chestnut to enter the arena and she began working on getting him warmed up. She decided to play it safe that day and decided not to rile the pony up with all his normal tricks and they worked through his gaits the normal way, though she couldn't help asking for one rear, trying to look innocent and pointing at the pony when Mr Ropata raised an eyebrow in their direction.

The cheer captain loved the freedom they got in these classes, although they had to be mindful of where everyone else was, there was no order that they had to warm up in, she didn't have to remain on the rail if she wanted to weave the gelding across the arena, and the days when there was equipment in the arena; such as bending poles, they could even incorporate them into their warm up. Not only that, but she loved the pony she rode and needed to ride him more often out of class time. This though made her think of another student who owned a horse that knew a few tricks, how fun would it be to have them both working in the same arena?

[Serenity Oliver]

Serenity danced into Red Willow barn, stopping to pet Red's nose and offer her a Belgium biscuit before she spun away and made her way down to the stall where Pixie lived. "Hello, love." She greeted the rose grey Welsh. "We need to get ready for class." She took the halter off the hook and slipped into the mare's stall. After fitting the halter, she led the mare out of the stall and down to the grooming stall.  

It took her no time at all to get the mare groomed and tacked up before she fastened her helmet under her chin and led the mare outside, where she tightened the girth, pulled the stirrups down and then vaulted into the saddle. Squeezing the mare forward, they made their way toward the arena.

Entering the arena, she took the Welsh through their well rehearsed warm up, one that she had worked out not long after being assigned the mare. A routine that would loosen up the mare's muscles and warm her up, ready for anything that their instructor had planned. She also took the warm up time to look around the arena; at the mail boxes and the stand, behind and centred between the boxes. Her eyebrows rose as she wondered what that day's lesson would pertain.

[Katja Eder]

Katja didn't even have to leave the White Oak barn to find her mounted games pony, still wearing her turquoise polo and neutral breeches from show jumping class. She had done as much research as possible into mounted games, but had found no clear rules on what one could wear, so she had deemed the outfit well enough. The turquoise looked good with her mount's silver saddle pad, at the least.

After she had prepared Bonnie, her tack gleaming, and the mare's mane and tail flowing nicely, although they seemed to be left unbraided for mounted games, she clipped on her own helmet, then took the mare's reins. They left the building and approached the arena, where Katja checked her girth and then pulled the stirrups down, boosting herself into the saddle before she had the flaxen chestnut approach the arena.

Once inside, they began a similar warmup to what Katja would have done with Mukki, although she was mindful that Bonnie wasn't a dressage horse. She took the time as they circled the arena to look out at the boxes and the stands that had been set out, curious about what they would be doing with their ponies that day.

[Danielle Green]

Danny made her way towards the mounted games arena. She was excited for the class, it wasn't too too uptight but it wasn't just fooling around. As opposed to her other equine classes she felt at ease when riding Fern. Danielle walked into the mare's stall and gave her a pat on the shoulder. "Hi girly." She fed her part of a carrot, it was left over from her visit with O'Malley. She got started grooming the mare and getting her ready for the class.

Fern was great to ride and to be around, she was gentle and pretty much a push button pony with a little more go. Danielle tacked her up and up got up into the saddle, which wasn't much of a challenge as the mare only stood 13.2 hands high. Moving into the arena, Danny just kept the mare at a walk a few times around the arena and then asked for a trot as she moved right along in warming her up. Soon enough Fern was cantering, Danny asked for a collected canter to see what she could do with the equine and then brought her back down to the trot, their warm-up was complete and now all that was left to do was to wait for class to start.

[Deleted]

The classes here were quite boring,but other than that is wad a very nice school. He hadn't got to see very many girls other than the ones in classes and not being able to talk to them yet. It was just a matter of time when he starts talking tO them. He zipped the blackeT jacket over his blue Polo shirt and made sure his book were nice and shiney. He wasn't sure what mounted games were, but it sound like fun so he joined it. He grabbed his helmet before heading off toward the arenas.

Once there he noticed several girls were riding their ponies through the arena and smiled when a girl made her pony rear. He new most teachers woils agrew and send the girl packing,but all this dude did was give her a look. He climbed between the rails and walked over to the teacher and smiled, Avery Harrison, is all he said because he sure the teacher already knew what he needed so why go and explain anything. He held onto his helmet as she watched the students rids their ponies wondering if he was going to ride a pony or a horse. He was a tall boy and really didn't want his feet dragging the ground. So what ever the teacher decided he be happy with.

[Deleted]

Getting there a little earlier than he normally would Chase went straight to Joe's stall and began grooming him. He didn't have time to waste getting him ready as proven before it took a while for the Quarter Pony to get warmed up. Once the grooming was done Chase tacked him up and led the equine out to the arena where the other students were already. He mounted up and got to work warming up Joe. Doing to simple exercises Chase hoped that it would help loosen him up a bit quicker than times before.

Soon enough the trot came and more exercises with it. Chase realized that Joe knew what he was doing in taking all the time in the world to get warmed up and he wasn't having that. Though he didn't want to harm the pony and try things before equine was actually ready but he wasn't going to play games. The sixteen year old got the Quarter Pony into a canter and moved him around the arena at the gait. A few time around the arena on the other lead and Chase felt like they were ready. He kept Joe at the trot and waited for the other students to be ready as well.

[Deleted]

Alexandra left her room in the Blue Ribbon House dressed in tan breeches, black field boots, and a long sleeve shirt along with her blue winter coat and thin gloves. Though Kentucky was much warmer then Ohio she always had gloves in her coat pockets. Actually, she two sets. One thin set and one heavy set that worked even when the weather reached below zero. 

Her hair was left down covering her ears though she had an elastic which she could use to put her hair up if it got too hot and since she had left her room early she stopped by the White Oak barn where Annie was stabled. Rubbing the mare's nose and giving her a treat she promised to ride and groom the mare later. Kissing the mare's muzzle she walked to where the tack room was in the barn and grabbed her helmet.

Putting it on she walked to the mounted games arena where students were already warming up their ponies. Deciding it was too hot to have her hair down she pulled it into a ponytail before putting her helmet back on and securing in. It wasn't her show helmet but rather her practice helmet.

Saying a hello to the teacher she stopped in front of him, "Hello. I'm Alexandra Harin. I'm a new student." she said introducing herself to the man. 

[Bruce Ropata]

Bruce watched as the girls arrived and began warming their mounts up, he arched an eyebrow toward Cortney as she entered on Moe, knowing that the girl liked to show off her pony's tricks, though he didn't actually tell her not to do them.

He watched them as they warmed up their mounts, knowing that they were all competent horsewomen and they knew how to get their mount ready for the lesson. He shook his head as Moe reared up and he quirked an eyebrow toward the rider, who tried to look as though she was innocent.

His attention was drawn as a student ducked through the rails and walked across the arena toward him. "In future, Mr Harrison, if you arrive to my class unmounted, you will follow the path, not cutting through an arena full of working ponies." He raised his eyebrows to add a little emphasis to his words. He gave the other two students, another male and two females, who had introduced themselves a warm smile "If you will follow me, I'll introduce you to your mounts." He walked toward the yards and stopped by the yard of a chestnut tobiano, New Forest Pony. The large pony could be classed as a small horse, but was indeed a pony. "Avery, this is Chris, or El Dorado Crossroad. He's quick on his feet and nothing seems to worry him. His main vice though, is his ability to sniff out treats. If you have been feeding your horse an apple or something before you go to Chris, make sure to wash your hands." He pointed to the shed where he had stored the gelding's gear. "In there you will find everything you need. Bring him to the arena and start warming him up when you have tacked him up."

He then continued to the yard with a dapple buckskin Connemara gelding. "Alexandra, this is Rocky, or Rocketed Forces. He's a great games pony, though he needs to be reminded to keep his head in the game. Easily excitable, he picks up on the energy of others quickly, and he's quick on his feet, so when you ask him to turn, he'll turn without question."

He then walked down to the yard with a grey Welsh/Connemara cross, who looked at them with his ears flat. "Erik, this is Ripple, or Rip Van Winkle. Don't let his moodiness throw you off, he's a great games pony. Though do watch out because he's fast and he will nip you should he get the chance; grooming him, tightening the girth, when you're riding and he thinks you've done something wrong." He paused and chuckled, knowing he was making the pony sound really bad. "He loves mounted games though and knows his job, some times better than his rider. I feel he will be the perfect mount for you. If you don't agree though I can find you another mount."

He walked on to the yard of a buckskin tobiano Arabian pony. "Shay, this is Pop. Don't let the name fool you though. He's good at what he does, and he's also good at knowing his rider's level, so if he feels you're up to it, he will be the fastest pony out there. One warning, he loves black jelly beans, and can sniff them out."

Lastly he headed to the yard of a grey Highland Pony. "Callie, this is Yoko. She's a really good teacher, though like all ponies, or mare in particular, she has her off days. She doesn't have any dirty habits I need to warn you about." He checked his watch and raised his voice to address all of the students grooming and tacking up. "You have five minutes." For what he had planned, the ponies wouldn't need an extra long warm-up.

Walking back to the arena, he checked his watch once more and knew that he needed to move things along, or else he was going to be cutting into the other events that some of his students needed to get to after their time here. He gave a whistle to get the students' attention. "Can I please have everyone trotting, counter-clockwise, around the outside track of the arena, with Cortney leading the ride." He knew that signalling the girl out wasn't going to phase. "When you get to M, I want every second rider to turn down the diagonal, heading to K so that you will be travelling clockwise. The riders that are continuing around the arena, I want you to take the diagonal at H through to F, continuing in the counter-clockwise direction." He paused as they took in his instructions, also giving the new students a chance to join the ride/group. "Then I want the first group to take the diagonal at H and the second group to take the diagonal at M." With what he had asked of them, at some point, they should be crossing X in opposite directions around the same time, a simple bit of drill work to help with their warm up.

OOC: I know I didn't give the full week from Natashka's post, but (as it's been three weeks since the previous reply) I chose not to reply before I went away so that she could reply and not have Alexandra having to arrive late. And then I added Erik and Shay in for the same reason

[Cortney Smit]

Cortney was feeling good with how Moe was moving, though she did stop the tricks, as she didn't want to cross the proverbial line with their instructor and actually get in trouble. The gelding was moving nice beneath her and was listing to her aids.

She half halted him as Mr Ropata began to speak and she nodded her head as she moved the gelding into working trot and led the ride around the arena, a slightly smug smile on her face. As they approached the corner, she asked for a half-halt, letting Moe know she was about to ask him to do something. Using her inside leg to ask for the bend, she used her outside leg and rein to control the bend as they turned down the diagonal. She sat to the trot at X and then continued posting on the correct diagonal as they finished the diagonal and changed rein.

Continuing around the arena, she repeated the process, half halt before the corner and then the bend into the diagonal. She'd done some drill work in the past and thanked her lucky stars that she was at the start of the ride, meaning that the others would have to slow down or speed up to get through X.

[Serenity Oliver]

Serenity had Pixie flexing nicely and moving beautifully forward from her haunches, not at all falling onto the forehand, which had been the biggest problem when she had first started riding the mare - more from the mare's past injuries than bad training.

When their instructor started up the lesson, she was a little surprised to hear that he wanted them to continue trotting around and he began to instruct them as though they were at a riding school group lesson - which amused her - and she kept her legs on the mare's sides as Pixie made a move to follow Cortney's gelding. 

Turning down the next diagonal, she kept an eye on Katy was doing, so that she didn't chance running into the other girl. She half halted the mare and then rode forward after Bonnie had crossed X. She continued along the diagonal and then turned to remain on the same rein, working their way down the arena to turned down the diagonal the others had taken the first time around.

She turned a couple of paces after Cortney, so she knew that the crossing would be timed perfectly, though she still kept her attention on the girl and pony following Moe, making sure that there wouldn't be a crash. Though she knew that once she had crossed X, the riders behind her could look out for themselves.

[Katja Eder]

Katja patted Bonnie's shoulder as the mare started to feel softer under her. As she felt pleased with the mare's work, Mr. Ropata called their attention to him. She listened to the instructions, which were interesting, although she guessed it wouldn't be too hard. Just a matter of adjusting speed to not hit anyone. It was unlike what she had done before, but at least she could follow Cortney and just focus on that part of it, rather than also keeping an eye on where she had to turn. Not a difficult task innen of itself, but the combination, for the first time, was.

As they circled, and Serenity split off, Katja followed Cortney across the diagonal. Serenity had lost time heading to the next diagonal, so she could pass X first, and let Bonnie keep at her pace, which kept her a good distance from Moe.

Another section of the arena, and they were crossing X again. This time, they had been timed perfectly, and Katja had Bonnie shorten her stride as they approached to leave Serenity a gap to pass through. Once the girl and her grey pony had passed the center, Katja and Bonnie passed, leaving those behind them to figure it out on their own.

[Deleted]

Helmet in hand, Shailie followed the instructor toward the yards to meet her new riding pony. She couldn't help but smile when she saw Pop in his yard. He was one of the most adorable animals she had ever seen, and on top of that, she actually got to ride him. Listening very carefully, she was surprised to hear that she had only five minutes to get him ready but was sure to make quick work of it. Shay thanked the instructor, then quickly took time to get to know the pony and warm him up.

Once the instructor addressed the group as a whole, Shailie relaxed and rubbed the pony's neck softly. It seemed simple enough, and for her first day in mounted games, she wasn't going to complain at all. She followed the girl in front of her, keeping a same distance from the other ponies so that she wasn't going to collide with anyone. Shay asked for a light trot, and was given exactly that, so she complimented the pony and continued onward.

She let her hands loosen up, and asked for him to turn down the diagonal with her legs, a habit that she was trying to form. Keeping the same distance from the girl riding the rose grey pony as before the turn, she continued to X. There, she slowed up, allowing the rider crossing from the opposite direction to go first. They continued this pattern, Shay speeding up a little at the crossing this time.

[Deleted]

She followed the instructor around, stopping at each horse, but not really listening. Callie was just waiting to see her horse. Finally, it was her turn. It was good to hear that she didn't have to remember any nasty habits or such, and she just nodded once her instructor was done addressing her, turning to her horse as he walked away. She smiled, holding out the back of her hand for the horse to get used to her scent. After grabbing all the horses things, she brushed her out, humming quietly to herself the whole time. Callie finally stopped her procrastination and put the grooming brush down, slowly going over to the tack and putting on layer after layer, finishing off by tightening the girth.

She grabbed her helmet, leading Yoko out of her stall and to the mounted games arena. She put her helmet on, hopping up and adjusting the reins a little bit before warming her up to a canter, just in time to start the warm up. She followed directions to the best of her abilities, though she was a bit sloppy as it was her first time on Yoko and she didn't know how sensitive or insensitive the horse was to touch, and anything of the sorts, though it still wasn't bad for the first time.