New Year's Show 2013

[Cara-Jean Kitchi]

Cara-Jean Kitchi - Paint by Numbers

Cara mounted Ella smoothly and allowed the mare to relax under her. When the steward waved them in to walk around the arena, waiting for the bell, she walked Ella around once before the bell went off. Cara squeezed her mount into a working trot posting on the bit. She turned down the center line and began her test.

At X she asked Ella to halt and she did it squarely. The young mare played with her bit and waited quietly for her next command. Cara took her reins in her right hand and bowed her head. Placing her reins back into her hands she waited a minute before taking Ella back into a trot. The mare's ears where to the sides as she moved forward happily. A few strides before C Cara started to turn Ella to the left. She used a light outside rein to keep him in shape with a very light inside leg to keep him going around her leg instead of charging through everything. Cara kept Ella steady and in a nice medium pace as they went down the long side. She turned him at E onto a 20 meter circle. She kept Ella round and smooth. She posted perfectly in time to her inside shoulder. Cara also kept him going around her leg and on the bit.

As they came off the circle Ella tossed her head and snorted before Cara took him back onto the bit. They trotted forward down to K when Cara went into sitting trot for a few strides and then a took Ella into a smooth left lead canter. She moved forward taking up lots of ground quickly. As they neared B Cara looked to the middle and then started to ask for the turn but Ella’s ears flickered in confusion. Cara sat deep and closed her hand on the inside rein and gave more pressure with the outside leg. The mare then nodded her head and turned toward the centre and cantered the asked circle. As they carried on she slowed her down to a walk at C. Soon they did a change of rein at H and gave the mare a long.

At F Cara took more rein and then brought Ella onto the bit again. She took her into a fast walk and pressed her heels down. She took a deep breath and asked for a trot at A, which Ella happily flowed into.

As they went into the corner after H Cara took Ella into a steady right lead canter. Two strides out from B, Cara was already cuing the mare to turn for a circle and she performed it perfectly, proving that all their long hours in the arena had paid off. As they can out of the circle back onto the long side, Cara brought Ella back into a sitting trot with a nice soft rein. Ella was now relaxed and moving forward in a nice pace with lots of energy from the back. Cara kept a nice smiled on her face.

She turned Ella down the center line at A. She halted her at X but the halt was off. She was a little off from straight and her back legs where spread apart Cara quickly straightened her out except for her back legs before saluting to the judges and taking Ella back into a free walk out of the way to the sidelines.

[Cara-Jean Kitchi]

Cara-Jean Kitchi - Advent the Sneak

Cara ran a damp cloth over her mare's grey coat. Her mane had been pulled and was sitting in twelve neat dressage braids, which included her forelock, and her tail was pulled into a very tidy french braid. The girl was dressed in white jodhpurs, a white ratcatcher shirt, blue-violet stock and navy show jacket. The reason she had that coloured stock, was because it matched the mare diamanté brow band.

Once the mare was groomed to perfection, tacked up and then the cloth had been wiped over the tack and horse again. She pulled on her black field boots and then smoothly vaulted onto the mare's back. She sat there without her feet in the stirrups as she rubbed the mare's neck, whispering to her softly until she felt the tremors that were running through the mare stop. "There's a good girl." She whispered as she picked up the reins and squeezed the mare forward, still not putting her feet in the stirrups, and guided the mare over to the practice ring.

When her number came up, Cara asked the mare to walk into the arena and then asked her to trot and then circled her into a canter. Once they passed the eagle-eye she rose into two-point and locked her eyes onto the first fence, and easy upright. She guided the mare with her legs and set her up for the jump, sliding her hands forward just at the right moment and the grey mare easily rose off the ground, Cara was already looking at the next fence.

She guided the mare easily over the next three fences, another upright, the brick wall and a hogsback. She was beginning to see the real potential in the mare, and realised that she had made a good decision to purchase the mare after-all. However, the mare seemed to have become a little over confident as they approached the next fence, a third upright, and she stopped listening to her rider and took off too late, which ended up with her clipping the top rail. Cara was disappointed, but she refused to look over her shoulder as her attention was already on the liverpool.

The mare's confidence had been knocked a little with the rapped pole and it took all of Cara's willpower to stop the mare from running out at the next fence, which was once again jumped too close. Mouse didn't knock the rails, but they had landed in the wrong direction for their next fence.

Sitting deep, the small rider urged the mare  forward and asked her to canter forward and then to turn at an almost ninety degree angle so that they wouldn't take too much time to recover their course. The girl's eyes were locked on the square oxer as she tickled the mare's neck with her fingers to reward her for making the sharp turn without throwing a fit - which is what she had expected as they had never practised a move like that in the arena.

After clearing the square oxer and then the fan - which surprisingly the mare didn't even blink at - Cara lined her up for the triple. She knew that they would be short on time - if they weren't over already - and she knew that the mare needed to cleanly and confidently clear all three fences as they couldn't afford needing to repeat the triple for a refusal.

Drawing a deep calming breath, she asked for a little more speed and then at just the right moment she gave the mare her head. Mouse flew over the first fence, made the bounce stride, over the second fence, the two stride later they were over the third and across the line that marked their time.

Cara sat back as she asked the mare to slow down, shaking her head as the mare bucked, much too excited to want to slow down. With a little more insistence from her rider though, Mouse dropped back to a choppy trot and then a walk as they exited the arena.

[Rose Hoff]

Rose Hoff - To the Nines

Rose scratched Eleanor's wither reassuringly, trying to calm her own nerves as well. She was always a little bit nervous for shows, and even though she told herself she was being silly, there was no stopping them. It was clear that her nervousness had made Eleanor anxious as well, which was why she was really upset with herself. The mare was already moving from side to side, clearly restless. The unfamiliar place and show scene was really making her anxious, and Rose hoped that she'd be able to calm the mare down once she was on her. At the very least, Eleanor looked pretty. Rose had decided on rosette braids for her, deciding that it would look prettier than the hunter braids she had to use with Vintage for the equitation ring. She'd also thinned her tail, and it was banged and neat looking as always. The mare wore a white quilted pad under a white sheepskin half pad, as well as sheepskin jumping boots.

After wiping Eleanor down with her duster one more time, she looked down at her own appearance, making sure she hadn't missed anything for herself. She wore her white Tailored Sportsmans breeches with her shined black field boots, as well as her show shirt and navy jacket. Her mother's garnet stock pin was pinned to her collar, and her hair was pulled back in her hair net with her Charles Owen buckled atop her head. Tightening the girth to her brown leather jumping saddle one more time, she bridled Eleanor before putting her gloves on and mounting from the ground.

She could tell immediately that Eleanor was spooky, as she tried to steady the mare between her legs. The warmblood still skittered to the side a bit, but Rose managed to get her to the warm-up ring. She spent the next couple minutes working the jitters out of both her and Eleanor. When their number was called, Eleanor was still a bit nervous, but Rose was feeling better. Guiding her over to the ring, she smiled and nodded to Cara, who was leaving. The girl was Rose's teammate on the equestrian team, and Rose knew that she would be tough competition.

Entering the ring at the walk, she asked Eleanor for the canter at the rail, which the mare picked up choppily, and Rose circled her once before passing the starting point. Her goal was just to get through the round without any rails down, and take it as easy as they could to do so. Of course was wanted to go clear, but she could deal with some time faults. The first and second jumps were simple and went fine, and Rose could feel that Eleanor was getting more confident. The brick wall wasn't as inviting as the first two uprights, and Rose could tell that Eleanor was thinking about it. Closing her calves, she pushed her towards it, just wanting to get her over it. The mare was obviously thinking about running out, but Rose managed to get her over it. She was jut glad it wasn't a hunter course, because they had practically jumped it sideways.

Collecting herself, she trained her eyes on the hogsback, which could always end up being tricky. Eleanor didn't seem worried about it however, and rushed towards it. Rose tried to collect her, knowing what the mare was thinking, but she couldn't stop her from taking a wild long spot over the jump. She held her breath, expecting a rail to come down behind them, but was amazed when she didn't hear anything. Relieved, she made it over the upright and prepared herself for the liverpool. It was the jump she was most worried about, as she hadn't ever jumped one with Eleanor before. As they approached she could feel the mare eying it warily. Pushing her forward hard, she tried not to even let Eleanor hesitate, and the mare jumped, thank goodness, but it was huge. Rose was left behind a bit, since Eleanor had jumped it so big, but she managed to release, collect herself and pat Eleanor on the shoulder before pushing her towards the square oxer.

The oxer proved to be a non-issue, as did the fan. Eleanor had taken a long glance at that one too, but not nearly as badly as the brick wall and liverpool. Finally it was just the triple combination, and Rose decided it would be best not to take control too much. She'd jumped Eleanor in a couple of tricky combinations in preparation for this show, and the mare had amazing judgement in them. As long as Rose held her together, Eleanor knew how to do her job. Rose could already tell that Eleanor was rushing towards it, so she collected her, asking her to wait for the right spot. Sure enough, the warmblood got both of the bounces nicely as Rose gave her her head. Happy that they had managed to make it though the course clear, she rushed her over the finish line, collecting her afterwards.

Smiling, she brought Eleanor back to the walk and patted her neck, praising her, "Good job pretty." She left the arena with a smile. Eleanor had done more than amazing for her first show with Rose. They'd gotten a few time faults, but at least they'd made it without knocking any rails. It seemed like a success to her, and she hoped it was just the beginning for the two of them.

[Sara Jane Lyena]

Sara Jane Lyena on Rolo

Sara used the soft brush to get the travelling dust out of Rolo's coat. She had groomed her mounts back at the academy, ahead of time, but the used truck and trailer her parents had bought her as an early-birthday present had left her horses with a bit of dust and pollen on their otherwise gleaming coats. As Rolo turned his head towards her, his brown eye regarding her, Sara guessed what he was thinking, or at least what she would be in his place, "I know you're going to get dusty again in a moment, that's not the point here." She put on the gelding's patterned tan-and-brown saddle pad, smoothing it for a second, then lifted up the heavy, ornate Jerry Shaw reining saddle that she had gotten when she bought Rolo. Luckily, the gelding had come with tack and everything from the auction, or else Sara wouldn't have been showing in quite as nice of a saddle. She exchanged the gelding's forest-green halter with a beaded light-oil headstall. She tied the split reins into a quick, loose knot for the moment, making sure they were short enough that Rolo wouldn't step on them, and they wouldn't get into her way, then bent down and put on the gelding's boots.

Once her horse was tacked up, Sara ducked into the tiny, cramped dressing and tack room that had come with 'her' trailer, and changed into her show attire, leaving Cinder in front of the door, next to Rolo and Balian. As she slipped into her Petrol Bekah jeans and her lime-and-black show shirt, a square of patterned fabric fell out of the bundle. Sara picked it up and smoothed it out, smiling as she recognized Cinder's bandanna. She lay the square onto Balian's show saddle, which still sat on the rack, and threaded her black, rhinestone studded belt through her jeans. She pulled on her black chaps, with fringe at the sides, then slipped into her flashy Ferrini boots. Grabbing her black hat, with a rhinestone rim, she stepped back out into the sunlight. She called Cinder to her side and clipped off the dog's lead, tossing it into the tack room, before she loosely tied the lime-and-black bandanna around the dog's neck.

With Cinder walking at her left side, Sara walked over to Rolo, who was still standing patiently. The gelding gleamed in the sunlight. She untied the knot she had left the gelding's reins into and walked him over to the warm-up arena. Leaving Cinder in the shade by the bleachers, Sara mounted up and rode Rolo into the warm-up ring.

After a few minutes of stretching the gelding out, Sara heard the number before hers being called. Without dismounting, Sara steered Rolo towards the show ring, calling Cinder to trot beside them as they got closer. When they neared the ring, Sara found a quiet tree in view of the arena gate and told Cinder to stay again, then moved her mount over to the steward at the gate. As the previous rider rode out, Sara smiled nervously at him. As the steward nodded for her to enter, Sara took a deep breath, then squeezed Rolo forwards. Once at the starting point, moved him into a trot and started on the circles to the right, counting them off in her head as they jogged along. The second circle got slightly wavy, but not too noticeable, and Sara managed to correct Rolo for a neat third, and largest, circle. They moved into a lope and performed a lead change in the middle of the arena, before she asked him to slow back down and circle around to the left.

They broke back into a lope and changed leads again before she rode Rolo in a large circle around half of the arena, then pointed him dead down the center and asked him for a full gallop. They sprinted their way across the arena, then Sara pulled back on Rolo's reins. The paint gelding went into a sliding stop, his hind legs throwing up a cloud of dust. As soon as they had come to a stop, Sara pulled on her right rein and kicked Rolo again, getting him to spin around and run back across the arena.

They slid to a stop again, releasing another cloud of dust, but Sara paid no heed to it as she asked Rolo for another turn and gallop. This time, however, about two thirds of the way down the arena, she had him turn and go back to the middle, stopping at the center.

Now for the spins, she thought to herself. She turned Rolo to face the judges and then started pulling on his left rein. The gelding turned in a small circle, his back legs staying mostly where they had started, save for what he moved them to balance himself. After four rotations, Sara asked Rolo to stop, which he did. Sara grimaced, noticing they were slightly off center, knowing it would cost them a few points, but she didn't really mind. This was fun! She tugged on her right rein, getting Rolo to spin in the opposite direction, and this time they nailed the stop.

Sara looked up at the judges, letting Rolo catch his breath slightly, then at a nod from the head judge, she turned and walked Rolo out of the arena, leaving the reins loose in her hand. She could hear the loudspeaker blaring behind her, "And that was Sara Lyena, of Blue Ridge Academy, riding Rolo!"

Only after they had exited the arena did Sara smile. She dismounted and hugged Rolo's neck, then walked back to where she had left Cinder. She bent to untie the dog, then walked towards the trailer she had been sharing with a friend, "Mora, Cinder." It had been a job well done, and while it wasn't perfect, they were definitely going nowhere but up.

[Peter Holden]

Peter Holden - Pins and Needles

Thimble stomped her hoof impatiently as Peter swept a soft brush over her one last time to get the dust off. She was already tacked up with her white saddle pad and his jumping saddle. Button braids ran along her neck, and her tail was neat as usual. Pulling on his helmet, Peter bridled Thimble and mounted, making his way over to the warm-up ring. He'd put on his show clothes for the first time since he'd gotten to Blue Ridge, and was looking tidy in his beige breeches and black field boots, with his show shirt and black jacket just as neat. Thimble was her pushy self today, and she was already pulling insistently at the reins as he cantered her around the warm-up ring. When their number was called he slowed her to a walk and made his way over to the jumping ring. Nodding to Rose as she exited, he entered at the walk.

He trotted her in one circle before asking for the canter a stride before the starting point. He started at a brisk pace, wanting Thimble to take him seriously. He didn't want her playing her games in the show ring. She took the first and second upright strong, and he had to check her a little bit after them to keep her from getting flat.  The brick wall was next, and he half halted her a stride before it, knowing that she was already thinking about a long spot. He may have allowed it before, but he didn't want any stupid, messy mistakes today. They made it over that safely, and Peter knew that at the pace they were going, they probably wouldn't have any trouble with time faults.

It was clear by the fourth jump that Thimble was especially overconfident today, and though Peter was sure he had the right striding, Thimble still managed to bound forward, jumping early into a huge long spot over the hogsback. Had it not been for her huge height and scope, they certainly wouldn't have made it over. Peter just had to let the reins loose through his fingers to giver her her head, and trust her on this one. Amazingly, there was no clatter behind them, and they continued on towards the next upright, which they had no trouble with.

Unfortunately, the long spot over the hogsback had given Thimble an extra boost of confidence, and she was now more headstrong than ever. Her usual long, easy pace had increased to a more choppy canter, and Peter had to hold her back to keep the power they needed to get over the square oxer. Now, just the fan and triple were left, but Peter suspected that these could be the most difficult for them since Thimble was always the strongest at the end of the course. Holding her back to the fan, he sat deep in the saddle and realized at the last moment that Thimble might not have enough power to make it over. He held back a groan as he heard a rail clatter behind them. It wasn't the end of the world, but a clean round would have been nice.

Thimble was also a bit unnerved by the rail, and Peter let her take a long spot over the first jump in the triple. Though it didn't have any effect on that jump, it made them take off a little late for the second, and he heard another rail drop behind them. He managed to collected her so that they made the last jump fine, and rode her across the finish line. They were definitely within the time, but with two rails down, their faults were a bit disappointing. Patting her neck, he walked her out of the ring.

[Becca Walsh]

Becca Walsh - Red Friday Night

Frye danced at the end of his reins as Becca struggled to calm him down. The last thing she needed was him getting too worked up before their cross country run and then making stupid mistakes. Sweat was already shining on his coat, and she hadn't even started warming him up. Just tacking him up had been a challenge. He wouldn't stop stomping as she had put on his Eskadron boots, and he'd snapped at her when she tightened the girth for her saddle. She was dressed in white breeches and her field boots, as well as a long sleeved red shirt and her protective riding vest. Her hair was in a bun at the nape of her neck with her helmet over it.

Mounting, she warmed him up for a little while before making her way over to the cross country course. Frye pranced under her, knowing what was coming as she rode him into the box. When signaled to start, she spun him around and started him out at a fast canter. His head was high despite the running martingale, but they made it over the first jump easily. It was a small log, and Frye barely glanced at it before bounding on. The difficultly of the course definitely increased significantly at the second jump, a higher corner. Becca decided using her judgement from past experienced that she should just jump the middle. Jumping too far to the narrow part would make it easy for him to run out, and she knew he could make it over the wider part. They took a good spot over it, but she still heard his back hoof chip a little pit as they landed. He wasn't being careful enough, but at least now he would know.

The next two jumps included corners as well, and Frye jumped them bigger than he had to, which didn't bother Becca much she could tell he was getting very worked up as they went on. She let him into a collected gallop, knowing that if she collected him, he'd only get upset. The next jump was an oxer between two trees, which Frye took a long glance at, but took without much of an issue. The rails were simple too, but Frye was just getting more and more full of himself.

The water was next, which Becca hadn't thought much of. In the past they'd never had an issue with it, but she hadn't done any competitions with one in the winter before. When they jumped into the water, Frye froze, immediately halting. That's when Becca realized that the water must be pretty cold. Frye hated the cold, and he was much worse behaved in the winter. When she kicked him on, trying to get him out of the water as quickly as possible, he reared up indignantly. Becca rose in her stirrups, grasping his mane in her hands, but when he reared a second time, she fell, completely unseated. When she finally stood from the water, gasping, soaked, and swearing fervently, she found that Frye had darted sideways out of the water and was dancing, reins hanging loose. It was clear that he was thinking about bolting, which would be disastrous, especially if he got his legs tangled in the reins. Fortunately, Becca managed to get his reins without startling him.

Frye was still prancing as they made their way dejectedly back to the start. This was humiliating, being disqualified and returning soaking wet. She definitely wouldn't be on the best of terms with Frye for the next couple of days after this uncomfortable embarrassment.

[Cara-Jean Kitchi]

Cara-Jean Kitchi - Advent the Sneak

As they left the show jumping arena, Cara dropped the stirrups, crossed them over the pommel, swung out of the saddle and loosened the girth as they walked. She knew knew that she needed to get the mare cooled down so that she could take her back to the yard.

Once back at the yard, she stripped off the mare's saddle, sliding the pad back so that it covered the mare's loins and then she grabbed a bucket of water. Using the water in her Thermos, she made the water luke-warm and then began to sponge around the girth area and between the mare's legs. She knew that the next class was going to be all about her and how well she could get the mare to respond to her, but she couldn't enter the arena all dolled up and have the mare in there with sweat patches - it wasn't fair on Mouse.

She pulled a clean fleece-rug over the mare and left her with a tiny haynet. Walking into the horse truck that she had hired for the weekend - driver included - she headed to the bathroom. Placing her hands on her stomach, she begged with herself not to throw up again, she just needed to get changed and then get the mare ready once again. Leaving her navy hunt coat in the garment bag, she pulled on her white breeches and her pale yellow shirt, she then pulled her tracksuit over the top and shoved her feet into her paddock boots. Hurrying back outside, she took the rug off her mare and began to groom her until her dappled grey coat shone. She then took out the mare's tack for the next class. Her Havana brown close contact saddle and matching bridle, shaped saddle pad and simple and plain brown (in the same Havana shade) protective boots for the mare's legs.

As soon as she had the mare ready, she went back to the truck, not so lucky on the not throwing up this time as her nerves had built up while getting the mare ready, she shed her tracksuit, put on a hint of make-up; a nice lip gloss, a hint of mascara and some blush, and pulled on her hunt jacket. It was only after untying the mare that she put her field boots on, running a rag over them after mounting, and then pulled her black gloves on. Taking a deep breath, she headed to the arena for the equitation class.

As the class was called in, Cara held Mouse back so that there was a good three horse lengths between herself and the horse in front of them, she then sat up in the saddle, transformed her face into her "meet face" (a bright smile that showed the judge she was confident about what she was doing), and squeezed the mare forward.  Her hands and seat were light and light and supple, conveying the impression of complete control should any emergency arise. Hands were over and in front of horse’s withers, knuckles thirty degrees inside the vertical, hand slightly apart and making a straight line from horse’s mouth to rider’s elbow. Bight of reins fell to the outside.

Her eyes were up and shoulders back. Ankles flexed in, heels down, calf of leg in contact with horse and slightly behind girth, the iron was on the ball of her foot, Cara took careful care so that the judge could see that it was not tied to the girth.

Listening to the announcer's call, not the rider in front of them, Cara had Mouse walk trot and canter around the arena, they reversed direction and repeated the process through each of the gaits. She could have laughed when they were asked to drop their stirrups and trot around the arena once in each direction. She kept her cues soft and near-on invisible as she could.

Once the class was over, Cara followed the rider in front of her out of the arena and aimed Mouse in the direction of their yards. She dropped her stirrups and gave the mare a hug for all her hard work

[Deleted]

Kate Holden - Philosophical Whim

Kate scratched Poet's pole, having to reach up in order to reach the top of his head. She'd been a bit disappointed to hear that there wouldn't be a hunter class at her first show at Blue Ridge, so she'd signed up for equitation. The class wasn't over fences, as were most of the ones she'd done in the past, but she still thought she had a pretty good shot. Poet was an equitation horse, and he knew how to make them look the best. Kate just had to do her job, which she also knew pretty well, even though she was pretty sure she would be the youngest in the class. Dabbing a damp cloth over his neat hunter braids, she made sure that not a hair was out of place, before doing the same for his braided tail. Braiding had taken her a ton of time as usual, but at least they came out neat. She had never been the best at braiding, but now she was able to make nice ones if she put in the time.

She tacked him up quickly in his dark brown saddle and fitted white sheepskin pad, as well as their bridle. She'd easily kept herself neat, wearing sweatpants over her breeches, and she shed these now, taking off her wellies and putting on her field boots. She also took off her coat and put on her hunt coat. Her hair was also in a hairnet, and she carefully fit it under her helmet. She'd done her makeup earlier that morning, keeping it natural. Her old friends back home had always joked about how a pretty face could make a difference in the hunter or eq rings, and as much as Kate wanted to write it off, she always made sure she was looking her best. Pulling on her black leather gloves, she collected his reins at his withers and mounted, walking him around for the couple minutes before her class started. She wasn't nervous, and she knew that Poet knew what was going on. He was an old pro at these shows and knew exactly what to do to pin.

When it came time, she walked Poet into the ring, keeping a rather large distance behind Cara on her dappled grey horse. Her face was conformed into a soft but focused smile, and it would stay that way until they left the ring. She didn't wait for the announcement that they were now being judged, knowing that she'd be at her best from the moment they entered the ring. As she and the rest of the class were asked to walk, trot, and canter around the ring in both directions, Kate kept her hands steady at Poet's withers, her hands light, but always in contact with his mouth. Poet was lively, but his strides were long, steady, and flowing.

Her heels were kept down, in a line from her shoulder to her hip to the stirrup, but not to much that it looked forced so much as anchored. Her leg was always held firm against Poet, keeping his aware of her presence. The only thing about him was that he could end up lagging, but today was not the case. Poet always seemed to sense how important performing at shows was to Kate, and always did his best. If she hadn't known better, Kate would have said that he just loved having the ribbons hung on his bridle and stall door. She kept her posture perfect, but not so stiff that she looked uncomfortable, and was bent forward a bit.

She wasn't really surprised when they were asked to drop their stirrups, nor was she upset by it. Sure, she would have preferred that the judge choose to leave it out, but she didn't think it would hurt them too much. As they trotted this way in both directions, she just focused on staying strong, and in the same position as she had for the rest of the class. She may have been a bit bouncier, but she prayed there was much of a noticeable difference.

When the class was complete, she walked Poet out, keeping the same face on until they exited the arena before patting Poet firmly on his shoulder. He'd done his job perfectly, and now she just hoped that she had done her just as well in the eyes of the judges. After dismounting she kissed his nose softly, happy with their performance no matter what color ribbon they got.

[Rose Hoff]

Rose Hoff - Going Vintage

Walking Eleanor out of the jumping ring, Rose patted her neck smiling. She didn't have too long to get the mare settled before her equitation class, so she quickly got her cooled down and settled so that she could get Vintage ready. She gave Eleanor a hug and an apple slice before she left, reminding herself to pamper the mare a bit later. She greeted Vintage with a pet on the nose, happy to see that the mare looked comfortable and settled. This was the part of showing she was comfortable with, and she was much more relaxed going into this equitation class that she had been with her show jumping class. That wasn't to say that she wasn't nervous, but she knew what Vintage and she could do.

Pulling on a huge sweatshirt and sweatpants over her show clothes, she changed her field boots to wellies, knowing they'd keep her toes warmer when she was getting Vintage ready. The mare already had neat hunter braids running up her neck, and her tail was braided very neatly. She'd groomed the mare's light coat before, and it was not covered neatly in a show sheet that ensured she would be kept neat. Now, she took it off and tacked Vintage up in her fitted white pad and dark brown saddle, as well as the bridle which matched the shade of the saddle perfectly.

Pulling off her sweatshirt and sweatpants, she neatened her hair under it's hairnet in the bun at the nape of her neck and fastened her helmet on. Putting her field boots back on, she slipped her gloves on as well and mounted Vintage. The mare definitely knew what was going on. They usually competed in hunter classes, but she was pretty sure that had a decent chance in an equitation class as well. She warmed Vintage up lightly for the couple minutes they had before the class, and entered the ring last, giving herself a lot of room. Butterflies were now starting to swarm in her stomach, but she tried to push them away as best she could, as well as any thoughts she had.

The class started quickly, and she just told herself that she should try not to think too much. Her equitation was already very good, as she had been trained very strictly, and she just hoped that that would be good enough. She kept her hands light on Vintage's mouth, trying to keep contact, but not so much that she irritated the mare. Riding Vintage was a bit of a balancing act, and she didn't want the mare making a fuss if she didn't like the way that Rose was riding. As they exhibited the walk, trot, and canter in each direction, she kept her leg very still against the warmblood's barrel, but was careful not to press to hard on the mare's sides. Her knee was solid and never left the saddle, and the bend in her hip only changed for the different gaits.

Her elbows were bent at the right angle, and were still but not too stiff, and she kept her head up, smiling lightly the whole time, though it was difficult not to take on her usual serious expression that she always had to keep off her face when competing. There was no issue with the trotting without stirrups in each direction, and she was honestly rather glad it was a part of the class since she was so comfortable riding that way.

When done, she walked Vintage out of the arena, quite happy with their performance. Scratching her withers she whispered in her ear once they left, leaning down, "Nice job lovely."

[Deleted]

Luka Ingersleben on Nebuchadnezzar

Luka looked around at the hustle and bustle of the show grounds, slightly surprised at the amounts of people there were for this little town. He walked into the trailer that he had hitched a ride on, it belonged to someone else at the school that had been going to the show, and grabbed Neb's bridle, a black leather piece with silver fastenings. His neat leather saddle was a matching piece, and both were buffed to a nice gleam. Said saddle was resting on a pure white saddle pad, already on the gelding's back. He walked back over to the gelding and was about to slip down his halter to put on the bridle when he sidled away. Luka sighed, "Nicht jetzt, Neb." (Not now, Neb) He stepped back up to the gelding, and this time managed to get his bridle onto his head and buckled into place. He realized that he had left his black coat and helmet inside the trailer's tack room and buckled Neb's halter around his neck to fasten the gelding while he ran inside to slip on the jacket and buckle up the helmet. Fully prepared, he picked up his crop before he walked out, back into the sunshine.

He unbuckled Neb's halter and then checked the fit of everything, from the saddle blanket to the bridle. Happy with the gelding's appearance, he swung onto him back and tapped the crop to his thigh. They moved towards the pen that had been set aside for warming up, and Luka made use of it, asking the gelding to walk, trot, and canter for a bit. Not wanting to tire him out, he stopped as soon as he felt loose, and worked on a few half passes.

Hearing the announcer calling the person in front of him, Luka led Neb out of the warm-up ring and towards the arena. They waited, Luka more patiently than the gelding, until the previous rider came out. Luka smiled briefly at him, then, hearing his name being called, gathered up his reins and asked Neb to trot nicely into the arena.

Most of the course went well, passing quickly without Luka taking much notice that the part had gone by until he was further along. Neb started the segment they were supposed to take at a canter on the right lead with a left lead, but Luka managed to get it corrected, and they got past it. Once he was saluting the judges, Luka realized that he couldn't remember much of the course, but he didn't really mind. He turned Nebuchadnezzar and let the reins run through his fingers as they walked out of the arena. Behind him, he could hear the speaker squawking out the announcer's voice, "That was Luka Ingersleben on..." A pause, and Luka smiled just slightly, knowing what the problem was, "Neb-you-chad-nes-are."

Still smiling at the man's attempt to pronounce the gelding's name, he walked the gelding towards the trailer and dismounted, glad that he had only the one event to compete in.

[Sara Jane Lyena]

Sara Jane Lyena on Balian des Sonnensturm

Sara glanced over Balian's tack, the dark oil barrel racing saddle saddle on top of the flat turquoise saddle pad, and the dark oil colored sterling headstall. Both pieces of tack shone dully in the sunlight, the result of a few hours spent with a scrubbing brush. Slightly nervous, she checked over her own attire, turquoise patterned shirt and black jeans, with black boots and a black cowboy hat to finish the look. She picked up a square scrap of cloth of the same pattern as her shirt and walked to where Cinder was sitting, then bent and tied it around his neck as a bandanna.

As she wanted to spend a moment to warm Balian up, she mounted up and moved him towards the warm-up arena, doing just a few laps at a trot around it before she moved to the arena. She left Cinder under the bleachers, out of the sun, then moved Balian to stand by the gate, fiddling with the reins as she watched the girl before her finish the course, with a rather good time. Sara smiled at the girl, and then moved Balian to stand at the ready.

Ready, she clapped her heels to the grey gelding's sides, and they sped off, taking the right barrel first, then looping quickly towards the left barrel. Sara dropped the rein she held in her left hand for a moment and fumbled for it, picking it up easily, as they looped around the third and final barrel. Balian sprinted across the arena and across the finish line, and Sara pulled him up, breathing hard. She rubbed Balian's neck as she walked him around, out of the arena, "That was Sara Lyena on Balian Des Sonnensturm, of Blue Ridge Academy." Sara slipped off of Balian's back and led him to the trailer to take off his tack, smiling at a job well done.

[Deleted]

John cursed as he raced to finish brushing Lilja. The mare stood calmly as the boy hurried around her, finishing up removing any dust particles, before he pulled out the mare's bright green saddle blanket. He threw it onto her back, taking a moment to straighten it out before he picked up the dark-brown saddle. He took care in placing it onto the mare's back, making sure not to wrinkle the saddle blanket underneath. After buckling on the mare's halter, he grabbed his matching dark-brown hat, with a inchworm-green hatband as tribute to the mare's blanket. After tucking in his show shirt and running the brown belt through his jean's belt loops, John grabbed the mare's reins and led her to the warmup arena.

Mounting up, he moved the mare through his paces, cursing his luck. The person he had hitched a ride with had managed to get stuck in the throng of cars, so he had spent too much time waiting for traffic to move on, and not enough getting Lilja ready. However, the mare responded willingly, obviously energized by the excitement of the area.

As they were called into the arena, John simply trotted Lilja over, without dismounting. He stationed her behind the eagle-eye, tensing. When he felt ready, he asked the mare for a full-out gallop. They took the left barrel first, whirling around it, nearly brushing it, but not really. On the last, center barrel, John could feel his leg brushing the barrel, but it didn't fall behind them. Through the eagle-eye, and then he reined Lilja in, slipping from the saddle and throwing his arms around the mare's neck. They had done well, in his opinion. He couldn't help but smile as he made his way towards the trailer.

[Deleted]

Sam sighed softly as Popeye tried to get a hold of his lead rope. Occasionally he stopped to check out Sam and to see what she was doing, but otherwise he seemed quite restless. She laid her hand on the gelding's neck and whispered softly to him, letting the Hanoverian rest his muzzle on her shoulder for a moment. Once the seemed to calm down a bit more Sam returned to strapping on the Eskadron Cross Country boots. In a short moment the black horse was tacked up, ready to make his run.

Once she finished readying her gelding, Sam exchanged her muck boots for her riding boots, and slid on her black vest over top of her orange long sleeved shirt. Then, when she was finished with the last of her own appearances, she lead Popeye to the warm up ring, where unbelievably, she warmed him up until the gelding was focused. After letting out a quick breath the pair made for the Cross Country course.

As soon as the starting signal called out Popeye reached out at his lengthy fast canter. Any speed he may be lacking the large strides made up for when they got to the first obstacle. They flew over the log and sped towards the corner, clearing the middle smoothly. After the first corner Popeye tossed his head, asking for a bit more head. Sam held him in for a moment longer, wanting to get through all of the corners before she let him loose. Easily the black horse made it over and to the oxer. Popeye sped up and cleared the jump, clicking his hind leg as he passed over.

As they approached the water the brunette began to get nervous, even though she knew that the more nervous she get the worse Popeye would behave. During a trail ride it was fairly easy to figure out that he wasn't fond of water. As the gelding reached the water on the course he halted abruptly, pushing Sam forward and up his neck. She groaned softly as she slid back down into the saddle and praised herself for managing to keep at least one foot in the stirrups. "Come on Pops." Sam pleaded with the gelding who was snorting at the water. Reluctantly he splashed through, making sure to get through quickly. She knew it was going to cost them big time, but at the moment she was worried about getting to the Trakehner without kissing the water.

Once the epidemic of the water and then the Trakehner were out of the way Sam was beginning to feel her confidence come back. She loosened up on the reins, letting Popeye reach a bit farther than before. The next two jumps flew by before they knew it and Sam pulled in Popeye once more, watching his ears pin backwards as she did so. He still managed to clear the wall effortlessly, even with Sam's insistence on slowing down. On the final jump of the course she gave the Hanoverian a bit more head once again and they cleared the jump, heading for the finish line.

After the interesting ride was over Sam cooled down the gelding for a while uncomfortably, rubbing his face every now and then. She was definitely sore from being tossed forward and tomorrow was most likely going to be even better.  Hopefully some of the other horses had the same idea about water as Popeye, but more likely than not they didn't. The brunette sighed heavily as the pair walked back towards the stalls. Soon she would be heading out to the jumping course.

[Deleted]

Nina Dobrev - Horatio

Nina had just finished up tacking Ratio. Finishing up strapping the bridle to the grey Arabian, she patted the mare's shoulder. "You're going to do great, Ratio." She has confidence in the horse that she will at least do her best, just for her. She took off the jacket she has been wearing, that concealed the top half of her show outfit, wearing the clothes in neutral colors. Her hair was in a nice high ponytail with the ends of her hair, naturally curled, bouncing near her shoulder. She brushed the curls out of her wasy and started to lead her mount towards the rings.

Deciding to use the warm up rings, she mounted her horse up and started their regular warm ups before they do any of the real thing. She knew the mare would enjoy a proper warm up before they would start anything. At least someone she knows is on the right page as she is. The girl watched as a rider was just finishing up the event and now walking out of the arena. She gave a nod of her head, a bit of a bow, towards the previous rider in respect. Breathing in a deep breathe to relax her thoughts, making her mount calm, so the pair wouldn't tense up during their test. She gave a reassuring pat on the shoulder of the mare, adding a light smile. As their turn was called to go next, she went through her mind remembing the test. She knew it was time to show the judges what they got in dressage. She asked her mount forward, entering into a working trot, starting the real test.

They started off, smoothly halting at X and saluted towards the judges. The Arabian gave a silent snort through the bit and soon proceeded into a working trot once asked. The girl let the horse work a few strides into the routine to C before tracking left towards the next command. Sitting deep in the saddle, she got the correct hold on the reins as they came to E and circled to the left at 20m. Continuing on to a working canter with the left lead at K and A and asking to circle left another 20m at B. The mare hesitantly responded to circling another left, perking her ears at the command before obeying. Nina, a slight bit too quickly, asked the grey towards a medium walk at C. She bit her lip after that slight move, but the pair lucky didn't miss the command for the test. Free walk was at H, X, and F. Almost forgetting to straighten up, she knew how her appearence would affect how they do. She quickly modified herself as they proceed into a medium at F-A. So far so good, as she asked her mount back into a working trot at A and a working canter between H and C on a right lead. Already, most of the test has already been completed. Nina was glad that things have gone as well as she predicted.

Once again, the girl switched the mare over to circle another 20m, but to the right, once a stride from B. She remembered how they only had a few more moves to cover before they can finish up. She shifted her weight while cueing the horse into a working trot. Which made the mare cunfused at the command. Hesitantly, she modified her position and asked the Arabian once more to transition towards the centreline and B. The horse bobbed its head up before following the rider's commands. She gave a ghostly grin towards the horse's behavior as they continued down the line at A. Halting at X, and once more, saluting to the judges. Letting her mount stand for a few more seconds before leaving back out of the arena at A in a walk, adding a long rein.

She was proud at how Ratio behaved and preformed at the event. Once they have fully exited the arena, she patted the mare's shoulder and didn't resist a smile to play on her lips. "You did great, Ratio." She complimented as the horse bobbed her head and gave a nicker. She kept her light smile as the horse played around with the bit. After long days of great practice, Nina knew, even she knows Ratio could tell, that they have succeeded, win or not.

[Deleted]

Erica Morgan - Ace of Clubs

Erica took her time to groom Ace off. She patted the Friesian's shoulder for standing nicely as she finished running a soft brush through his coat. The horse was already tacked up in a brown jumping saddle, white saddle pad, and matching jumping bridle. She took off the long coat and revealed her show outfit. With her beige breeches, white show shirt, navy show jacket, and tall field boots all nice and free of wrinkles, she felt like she was dressed for success. She ran a hand through her gelding's braided main as she untied the cross ties to Ace. She grabbed a good hold of the reins and lead the horse out of the White Oak barn. Once they have exited, she mounted up on the black Friesian and clucked him forward towards the rings of where they were to take their event.

Deciding to use the warm up rings before they started their real event, she started her mout on their regular warm ups. Riding around the ring, transitioning her mount from a walk increasing until a canter, and then decreasing their gaits from a canter back to a walk, using each different gait around the ring at least one lap. She halted the horse when she spotted a guy ride out of the rings. She gave a nod of her head, almost a bow, towards him in respect. She remembered seeing him around the Academy before, but not sure where. She doesn't remember seeing him in any of her classes. She then just gave a silent shrug to that thought as the pair was next to take the test. She patted Ace's shoulder once more in luck that they would do a good job, great job even! She listened as their turn was called. She took a deep breathe in and out, sitting deep in the saddle so she wouldn't tense up or stress during their event.

She moved her mount into a trot and circled into a canter. Going at a great pace, they started their show jumping event. The pair eyed the first jump and second jump that was ahead of them as they flew over the first two jumps gracefully. The blonde checked at how her appearence showed to the ones watching. She knew how she looked would affect how her horse does and how she will do. She straightened herself, but still keeping loose enough to flow with the jumps and strides her horse is taking. Now that they just started, the gelding had some energy and power in him, taking some long strides which closed up the space between each jump to get into a nice speed to fly in the air high enough to jump over the jump nicely. The girl pulled back Ace from a few strides as they luckily jumped over the brick wall without a fault. She gave a relieved sigh, not noticing that she has been holding her breathe and her muscles were slightly tensed up. Now she took a deep breathe in and out, sitting deep in the saddle once more to stop herself from thinking too much of what she expects from how the pair does.

As they neared the hogsback and another upright, the blonde checked in her mind on how many strides she should let her mount go. She then loosened up her hands on the reins a bit as the gelding cantered out an extra stride or two before flying nicely over the hogsback and same for the upright. She now felt her mount bobbing his head at the next jump, now getting all frisky and as well picky about jumps, in the end, the Friesian was just lazy. The girl pushed the horse forward, knowing how the gelding wants to end this show as much as she does. She bit her lip as he hesitantly took the last stride before jumping over the liverpool. When they landed from the jump, she didn't hear a loud rattle from the rails of anything. She then knew that she had to keep pushing and giving more effort into the gelding, now that he is all frisky. The pair took off for the square oxer, and while they landed a loud clatter of a rail knocking down sneaked up on the horse and rider. She gave a soft groan at the annoying noise, but soon just continued on. They only had two more jumps to finish before they can finish. They approached the Fan jump, thinking it might be the hardest jump out of the course, yet she can feel the Friesian wants to take the jump out strong. The gelding cantered out the last stride and took off strongly and gave all the power that Erica never knew the horse had. Surprisingly, it wasn't enough to ace the jump. Erica sighed as she glanced to see a rail fall over. 'So close, yet so far.' She thought.

Last, but not least, was the triple combination. So far, the blonde was proud that her mount gave it all he got to do the event. The horse and rider took off to finish the last of the course. The Friesian went out strong on the first two jumps of the triple combo. The pair was just a bit late on the last take off of the third jump, as they touched the rails and made it rattle. Though, surprisingly, that didn't knock over a rail. Finally, they have finished the course. The blonde was glad it was over, and gave a light smile to show how proud she was to Ace. She gave another nod to the judges in thanks for their time. She then clucked the gelding and herself out of the arena in a walk.