Blue Ridge is a fictional town located deep in the heart of Kentucky. It is home to one of the most well known equestrian academies in the United States. Students and staff from all over the world join the academy for what it has to offer. Do you have what it takes to join us and learn from the Academy?
Smilys were made by Sapphire Heaven of LiveJournal.
The mini-profile hover follows a tutorial by Kagney of Adoxography.
Photos in the skin used under CC from Flickr.
* Marguerite Girardeau - Amour Toujours * Mycroft Hollins - Big Bag Brolly * Elizabeth Phillips - New Deal * Cara-Jean Kitchi - Texas Hold 'Em * Liana Mars - Astarael
Post by Liana Mars on Jan 18, 2017 21:02:02 GMT -8
Liana smiled as she finished grooming Dyrim. She had groomed Leil first, getting him braided and ready for dressage later in the day, before turning her attention to her first mount. She and Dy would be taking on the hunter course. After the dark bay was clean and his mane and tail braided, saddle on his back and bridle hanging ready, Liana left him tied to the bars of his stall and went to the restroom to get herself into the same shape as her horse.
Once both were ready, Liana took Dyrim's reins and led the gelding out to the warm up arena. She got the gelding supple and ready, and then looked over at the ring, gaging how the show was going. Since it was pretty close to being her turn, Liana took Dyrim over and waited, letting the gelding stand quietly, chewing his bit, until they were called up.
She felt pretty confident about this course, and of course, Dyrim was used to hunter shows, so there was nothing to worry about. He seemed to float over the jumps, catching each takeoff neatly and landing just as well. Before too long, they were cantering over the last jump, and then it was a leisurely walk back to the barn, as a cool-down. Liana untacked Dyrim and rubbed him down before she walked him up to the pastures, tossing him into the first open one, and then returned to the barn to get Leil
Post by Elizabeth Phillips on Jan 19, 2017 10:32:17 GMT -8
Elba hugged Annie's neck tightly, happy to see her after the Christmas break. It was always terrible to leave the pony behind, but it made to sense to fly the pony back to Belfast and then back a month later. When she was home she just rode one of their family's other horses, but it wasn't the same as Annie.
So happy to be back, she didn't think twice about grabbing her sidesaddle for the show. She hadn't been able to ride sidesaddle at home, and she didn't want to waste another moment. Besides, she'd missed riding sidesaddle! Fastening the girth a final time, she grabbed her helmet and pulled it on before grabbing her apron and leading Annie outside. She heard her name called over the speakers and hoisted herself up onto the pony, adjusting her skirt/apron accordingly over her legs. She wished her family could see her, especially her Uncle Tommy. However, he hated when she rode sidesaddle and had actually forbid her from ever jumping, so perhaps it was better they weren't there.
Collecting her reins, she headed to the arena. When it was her turn she sent Annie into a canter immediately, hating the trot in the sidesaddle. Annie pricked her ears, looking attentively at the jumps as Elba turned her in a courtesy circle and directed her to the first jump. It was rather large, but Elba wasn't intimidated. Her legs gripped the saddle securely as Annie took the first oxer eagerly. She gave the pony 6 strides between fences, giving the pony all the rein she needed over each jump.
She never wanted to get in Annie's way, especially in the sidesaddle. Annie seemed to appreciate it, and didn't take advantage of the extra rein between fences. She maintained the same pace between fences, and flew over the fences with all the grace a little pony could muster. As they came to the final fence Elba smiled, sending the pony over happily. They cleared it, and Elba beamed, finishing her courtesy circle before bending down and hugging the pony's neck tightly, a difficult feat in a sidesaddle!
Happy with their performance, she directed her out of the arena and headed back to the barn to prepare for their next class.
Post by Mycroft Hollins on Jan 30, 2017 14:02:14 GMT -8
Brolly was not really the hunter type, however Mycroft felt a sense of duty as he donned his huntseat jacket. What sort of Brit didn't ride huntseat? The stallion was calm, ears flickering while he waited for Mycroft to finish getting ready. Strapping on his helmet, he mounted up on the big stallion, groaning slightly. He was not having a good day with his leg, it ached substantially. Luckily Brolly didn't need much prompting, but it still wasn't comfortable.
Reaching the arena, Brolly pawed the ground. Mycroft reached down, patting the bay's neck, "Now now Brolly, no need to get so excited. Try to behave like a gentleman and mind your manners, won't you?" he chided. The stallion snorted in response, shaking his big head. Mycroft smiled and huffed a small chuckle at Brolly's response. Thankfully they didn't have to wait much longer, and soon enough it was their turn to enter.
As the pair before them left Mycroft gathered the reins, directing Brolly into the arena. The stallion turned his head to look at the little pony mare leaving, but Mycroft was able to refocus him without any fighting. Once they were inside he asked for a canter, giving the stallion a longer rein than usual for their courtesy circle. Brolly wasn't in any particular rush, and pricked his ears attentively as they approached the first line.
The stallion's strides weren't rushed but he didn't jump with much effort. Mycroft knew it was likely quite sloppy looking. He counted five strides between the first two fences, pressing Brolly to pick himself up a little more over the second fence. Brolly didn't pay much attention to his prodding, continuing through the rest of the course in the same fashion. His strides even, collected and relaxed, but with no effort in his jumping at all. Mycroft would have been shocked if the horse's knees were even relatively even.
Circling to the final jump, Mycroft gave an extra push over the fence, hoping to finish strongly. Brolly tugged on the bit slightly, but actually picked himself up over the final fence. They circled after the final fence, before slowing to a trot and exiting. Brolly seemed perfectly content with his performance and Mycroft simply shrugged. True, it wasn't his best performance, but he was enjoying himself regardless. Patting the stallion, he steered him towards the barn to prepare for their next class.
Post by Cara-Jean Kitchi on Jan 30, 2017 15:49:37 GMT -8
As well as a change of saddle, Cara gave the gelding a quick groom; cleaned his mouth and nostrils and then led him outside again. Once in the saddle, she squeezed him toward the hunter ring and while she got the pony in the right mind - did her best to keep him calm now that he knew he was jumping - and watched the people ahead of her take the course, picking up things from their rides.
She sucked in a breath as her number was called and released it slowly as they approached the gate, though it didn't help the nerves that seemed to be eating away at her. She kept her breathing as even as she could as they made their opening circle and then they were cantering toward the first jump. Cara made sure to keep a firm contact on the reins, without getting in the way of the pony's job, and her legs against his side so that Tex didn't get any silly ideas about becoming a bronc-pony.
She silently counted the strides between the fences and the pony took each of them in his willing stride and before she knew it, they were over the last fence, rode a circle and exited the arena. While she gave her pony his silent praise, she headed him back toward the barn at a walk as she needed to untack him, and take him out to the pastures, before she turned her attention to the mare who was patiently standing in cross-ties in her stall.