B.ack I.n T.he S.addle

[serena]

She got Frank from his stall and quickly tacked him up before leading him out the barn door. When she was outside she swung up onto his back. It was so nice to be riding. She clucked to Frank and he started walking on a free rein toward the arena. It had been raining all week so the outdoor rings were closed. They walked threw the big sliding door and into the arena. There was no one there thankfully so Dylan could do whatever she wanted without worrying about getting in someones way. She walked him around the ring getting the large warm blood to listen to her legs before collecting him and sending him into a trot. A rushed a bit at first but was soon under control and moving underneath himself. Perfectly on the bit they made there way around the ring. Dylan usually slipped into another world where there was just her and Frank when she was riding, so soon she was so concentrated on getting him moving properly everything around her disappeared.

[Torrie]

Damen quickly trudged through the door to the arena, the smell of fresh shavings delighted him. He quickly spied Dylan, her being the only one in there. He strode over to a chair in the spectator area. He didn't want to disrupt Dylan while she was riding her horse. She seemed almost as one with him. He sighed remembering the days when he too rode horses. He had grown up with horses all his life. He used to ride, but that career was broken short when his favourite mare was put down. They had won many competitions and he just didn't have the heart to ride again. He waited until Dylan was done her manouver before complimenting.


You look like you are almost one whole being with your horse.

[serena]

She brought him back to walk and looked over to where a voice had just spoken. she saw Damen and waved happily riding toward him. she patted Frank and halted him in front of Damen.

Thanks. It takes alot of work to get him to move like that.

She smiled patting the gelding again. Frank stretched out his head and sniffed at Damen. Lipping his shirt and tugging at it.

Sorry Frank where are my manners, this is Damen and Damen this is Fraction Of a Sham or Frank. He is an imported Warm blood and me and my dad went to Germany to get him 2 years ago.

She didn't want to brag, but she loved her gelding. He was her pride and joy and they had a really strong bond. Frank would do anything for her and she would do anything for him.

[Torrie]

Damen smiled, admiring the gelding. He was certainly well defined. Sweet personality too. He laughed as Frank pulled a bit on his shirt, reminding him of what his life used to be like. Some scenes flipped through his head, of him and his mare. She was a big dark bay mare, one of the friendliest he'd ever met. He quickly brought his train of though back on it's rails before he got to when she had to be put down. He held out his hand for Frank to sniff.


Well aren't you a beauty.


He whispered almost inaudibly to the horse, but also directing it at Dylan. He gazed over the gelding, longing for his beloved horse. He smiled warmly at them.


So do I get another demonstration?

[serena]

She looked thoughtfully at Frank and Dylan. Frank loved people, he always had. She laughed a little and then had a great idea, with Damen on the ground she could jump without the hassle of getting off and adjusting fences.

Yes actually if you would like theres some jump standards and poles in the corner over there you could set me up a small course. I just need to take him for a trot the other direction and a canter each way.

she turned Frank back toward the track before twisting in her saddle to look back at Damen.

Be creative and don't go easy on me. Start at around 2'9 and make the biggest 3'6 there should be a measuring tape over there. Oh and can you make a small Cross rail for me to warm up over. thanks.

Frank needed to be worked well if he was going to be able to preform top notch tomorrow at the lesson. She adjusted her reins and went off into a sitting trot, sending him half halts to keep the rhythm even. then after a circuit around the ring she made a large 20 meter circle and asked for canter at x. she made a few 10 meter circles in canter along the long side before going across the diagonal and asking for a flying lead change at x and then continued in the other direction.

[Torrie]

He chuckled a touch as she described what she wanted him to do. He was almost half expecting it. He quickly hopped over the small wall seperating the sitting area from where the horses worked and quickly walked over to the standards. He had already made up the course. He was going to start low then work higher. He grabbed the first standard, his muscled arm flexing slightly. He hated when that happened so he pulled his sweater down. He brought the parts for the first jump then the second ect. He smiled to himself at his success, turning to Dylan.


Okay there ya go. Just watch, the one turn is almost a 90 degree

[serena]

She brought Frank back to a trot and then a walk. She smiled at Damen and sent Frank into a trot when she spied the small cross rail. He barley jumped it and he did the same in the other direction. she troted past Damen making up a course in her head, the way she thought Damen had planned it.

Thanks

She said before doing a small circle and asking for canter. She set him up for her first fence which they cleared with ease. The second was a bit the the right of them on a broken line. she switched his leads and they sailed over it easily. Next was the combination which appeared to have 2 strides in between the two fences. She counted 3, 2, 1 and they were off over the first fence 2 more stride and they had cleared the second. She lengthened his stride as the made the easy corner to the next fence witch was a large upright. He cleared it and she set up for the last and imposing corner. she shortened his stride upon landing and he listened to her every command. She put on inside leg moving him over and bending him perfectly around the corner. She found her line to the large spread and looked above the jump so she didn't unbalance her horse. Her flew over it forming a gorgeous ark and landing safely on the other side. A clear round. she patted him on the neck cooing to him, telling him what a good boy he was. she brought him back to a trot and went over to Damen. she halted in front of him, he obviously had had some riding experience if he was able to make a course. She swung her leg over and landed softly on the ground. she swung the reins over Franks neck and held them out to Damen.

Your turn.

[Torrie]

He stood in awe as he watched the two fly controllably around the course he had created. He was quite pleased with himself. He almost began moving the way he would have if he was riding the horse instead of Dylan. He smiled and applauded as they cleared the last jump with feet to spare.


That was amazing!


He approached the duo, patting Frank affectionately. He pulled out a mint from his pocket.


May I give this to him?


He found her standing next to him, giving him the reins. A quick wave of fear splashed over him. He gave Dylan a brief smile before almost shoving the reins back into her hands.


No thanks, I don't ride anymore.


He stepped back, averting his eyes from hers. Desperately wanting to change the subject he thought of something quick.


Do you have any plans tonight or would you like to join me for a small dinner?

[serena]

She looked at him in shock. He didn't ride anymore??. What was that supposed to mean?

Not with his bridle on but when i take it off you can.

she looked at him confused.

Why not? you don't have to jump you can just walk him around.

She ignored the question about dinner she new he just wanted to change the subject. Maybe something had happened that had blown his nerve. she never had that problem, even after her worst fall. She had stopped riding a bit when her first pony Sprinkles had died but she was soon back in the saddle. She had realized that, just because she was gone didn't mean she couldn't ride. riding was always a way of remembering Sprinkles and she would have wanted Dylan to ride.

[Torrie]

He nodded, stuffing the mint back into his pocket for Frank for later. He heard her ask the dreaded question. Why he didn't ride. He brought his eyes to the ground, then back up to her. He didn't really want to talk about it right now. He was just getting over some hard times, he didn't really want to reacall any of them


I guess I just lost interest.


His accent spurting up. It became quite strong when he was uncomfortable. He stroked Frank's neck a bit, staying silent.

[serena]

Her face was full of concern for him. But she wasn't about to push him. she swung back up onto Franks back and free walked him around the arena to cool him out before leaving the arena and going back to the barn where she untacked and Threw on franks light blue rain sheet. she walked out side to the geldings paddock where she let him out into the field. He ran toward the other horses bucking and leaping in the air. she laughed and leaned against the gate watching him run. He had the biggest personality. She turned to Damen. He hadn't "lost interest" in riding.

Why don't you ride anymore? you didn't loose interest don't even try to lie to me.

Her inner pregnant dog came out when she got frustrated....which happened often. she usually was pretty calm though she spoke her mind. she never really thought which got her into trouble...alot.

[Torrie]

He followed Dylan out to the paddocks, after putting away the jumps. He chuckled as he watched the geldings play. He always wondered what it would be like to be a horse. He lost his thought, letting his mind wander, but was brought back by a rather harsh voice. He turned to Dylan. A strange feeling was building up inside him, one he had never felt before.


Can't you just accept that I don't want to talk about it? My past hasn't been a fairy tale!


He raised his voice which he was immediately sorry for. He found himself not able to look at Dylan at all. He was so incredibly sorry. He couldn't stand it so he left, his eyes slightly watering.