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.
Post by Cara-Jean Kitchi on Aug 20, 2017 23:41:52 GMT -8
After a good ride on Pyre, Cara didn't fool herself into thinking that the next ride, this time on Tex was going to be as easy, though the gelding could surprise her and surprise them all. Leaving the mare in cross-ties in her stall with a small haynet and fresh water, she went to finish getting the gelding ready. "How?" She asked when she saw that he'd managed to rub off a handful of his button braids, which she didn't waste any time in sorting out. She grabbed his havana brown snaffle bridle with the padded browband with purple bling.
Ready to go again, she changed her outfit, so that she was dressed for the hunter ring, rather than dressage, and led the pony outside. No sooner was she in the saddle that Tex began to cavort around, excitement bubbling through him as he took in the atmosphere around them. She rode him around to calm him down and squeezed him forward as their number was called. Riding into the arena, she did their opening circle, more to settle the pony than the need, and they headed toward the first fence.
The first two fences were cleared with room to spare, though the Welsh took objection to having to ride around a fence to approach the third and she sat through the bucks as she began to ask for half halts and got him back between her legs with a stride to spare and they barely made it over the double, and then made an awkward jump over the next a stride later.
Now that the pony had had his nerve shaken, Cara sat back as they cantered around to the next jump, silently willing the flaxen chestnut to behave as they rode around yet another fence to get in line for the next fence.
With a couple more tantrums, Tex made his way around the rest of the course, jumping everything in their path, which his rider was thankful that they didn't have to ride past anymore, and they cantered a circle after clearing the last fence and left the arena at a trot. Cara wasn't sure if they had knocked any rails down, and really wouldn't be surprised with the gelding's antics.
Post by Liana Mars on Aug 23, 2017 15:00:23 GMT -8
Of course, both dressage and hunters would be on the same day, Liana grumped. Everyone else would have plenty of time to prepare for other things, and here she was, making sure Leil wasn't too sweaty and changing saddle pads and saddle. After she'd made sure her own appearance was immaculate, and had adjusted for the new sport, Liana led the black gelding back outside.
And yet again, she was waiting for Cara and another one of her dinky ponies to finish their run. At least she'd look good next to them! She gave the girl a curt nod as she passed her, and then entered the arena herself to do her starting circle. The first two jumps were easy, and then a circle around the last jump to get to where they needed to be. Leil responded quickly, easily jumping the double and triple in order, before they turned once again.
Over the fifth, then the sixth, and then back to the fifth again. Three more jumps waited for them, and then they were done. Liana slowed Leil and patted the gelding's neck as they left the arena.
Post by Lucy Woodhaven on Aug 24, 2017 7:35:30 GMT -8
Lucy had switched to Superman. The little hunter gelding had come to life when he saw her dressed to show. She had changed clothes before she had tacked him up. This was their first show and her first hunters show in a long time. Lucy wasn't hoping for a win. He wasn't the smallest horse she had spotted the little welsh that had gone first.
Lucy let Superman move up into a canter as they headed for the first fence He jumped high but clear. The next fence went rattling down behind him. Lucy checked his speed as the made the loop for the next fence.He popped over fences three and four. He came over five nice. Lucy turned to tight for fence six. Six came down too. She rode her for 7. He soared over 8 and nine. Lucy attached shim for fence ten. He went over high.
Lucy rode off the course happily. It was good for the first course of there show career. Lucy headed to the barn.